Green Beans with Cashews

It all started with a rice cooker. . .my love of preparing Asian-inspired food that is.  David and I got an electric rice cooker as a wedding gift and if you don't have one, please do yourself a favor and go get one right now!  The rice is cooked perfectly every time, fluffy and delicious; no more guessing about the magic water to rice ratio or burning the rice on the bottom of the pan.  Of course, rice is the type of food that  doesn't like to be alone, it needs playmates, and the flavors of crisp vegetables, soy sauce, and sesame are a natural choice.  There is also the fact that many Asian dishes are very quick and easy to make, which is fabulous when you just don't feel like making a full-length, Broadway production out of dinner.