Available throughout the year, green beans are sold fresh, canned, frozen or pickled. Known as French beans, string beans, snap beans and haricot vert. In French, haricot means "bean" and vert is "green". There are more than 130 varieties of green beans differing in shape, size, colour and texture of the pod. Though the green ones are very common, pod colour can be white, purple, red, yellow or streaked. Yellow variety are also known as wax beans for their waxy colour. Originally, green bean pods contained a tough fibrous string running along the sides of the pod that was removed before cooking. The modern commercial grown green beans are stringless and easy to clean. Versatile, they can be blanched, steamed, stir-fried, baked, roasted or grilled.
When my sons were younger, they would try and eat the vegetables given to them. As they have gotten older, I noticed that they are consuming much less than the daily recommended servings. So, I have to come up with innovative ways of cooking vegetables and incorporating them into their diet. Everything taste better with bacon and since they love it, decided to incorporate some green beans along with potatoes to make a hearty dish. Ready in minutes, cooked with only bacon fat eliminating the use of any oil or butter. Served as a side, appealing, delicious and with bacon, definitely irresistible.
Did you know:
Green beans are legumes that carry edible seeds in a pod. Though not classified as peas or lentils, which are also legumes. In case of green beans, both the seeds and pods are consumed.
When my sons were younger, they would try and eat the vegetables given to them. As they have gotten older, I noticed that they are consuming much less than the daily recommended servings. So, I have to come up with innovative ways of cooking vegetables and incorporating them into their diet. Everything taste better with bacon and since they love it, decided to incorporate some green beans along with potatoes to make a hearty dish. Ready in minutes, cooked with only bacon fat eliminating the use of any oil or butter. Served as a side, appealing, delicious and with bacon, definitely irresistible.
Did you know:
Green beans are legumes that carry edible seeds in a pod. Though not classified as peas or lentils, which are also legumes. In case of green beans, both the seeds and pods are consumed.
Green Beans With Bacon & Potatoes
(Serves 4 or 6)
Ingredients:
8 strips of bacon
300 grams green beans
4 small potatoes
1 large onion (chopped into big pieces)
4 large cloves of garlic (finely chopped)
1/4 teaspoon pepper powder
salt
Method:
Peel and cut potatoes into small cubes. Place in water to prevent them from browning.
Trim the ends of the green beans and cut into 1-inch pieces. Wash in a colander and set aside to drain.
Cut bacon strips into 1-inch pieces and run in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Slide and drain out the fat. Transfer the pieces in a skillet to cook for a couple of minutes. Remove any excess fat. Add the garlic and brown, do not burn. Mix in the potatoes, cover and cook on medium heat until half done. Then, incorporate the onion, beans and pepper powder. Cover and cook on medium heat until potatoes done, beans are tender-crisp and bacon soft not crispy. Taste for salt and add accordingly.
Note:
(Serves 4 or 6)
Ingredients:
8 strips of bacon
300 grams green beans
4 small potatoes
1 large onion (chopped into big pieces)
4 large cloves of garlic (finely chopped)
1/4 teaspoon pepper powder
salt
Method:
Peel and cut potatoes into small cubes. Place in water to prevent them from browning.
Trim the ends of the green beans and cut into 1-inch pieces. Wash in a colander and set aside to drain.
Cut bacon strips into 1-inch pieces and run in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Slide and drain out the fat. Transfer the pieces in a skillet to cook for a couple of minutes. Remove any excess fat. Add the garlic and brown, do not burn. Mix in the potatoes, cover and cook on medium heat until half done. Then, incorporate the onion, beans and pepper powder. Cover and cook on medium heat until potatoes done, beans are tender-crisp and bacon soft not crispy. Taste for salt and add accordingly.
Note:
- Low-sodium bacon was used.
- If desired, sprinkle lemon juice at the end.
- For a quicker version, potatoes can be separately baked at 400 F or 200 C for 20 minutes with some exta-virgin olive oil or fried and tossed at the end. Alternatively, they can be omitted with green beans increased to 500 grams.
- No water was used and dish cooked on medium-low heat throughout.
