Green Beans, Potatoes, and Bacon
It’s not the amount of ingredients in a recipe that make it good, it’s how you use them. This little fella is so simple, but so satisfying. Each ingredient has its place here, and is cooked using different techniques to make them shine!
Green beans are blanched, potatoes are boiled, and bacon is crisped; then they all come together with some shallot, garlic, and lemon juice to create this harmonious side dish. The great thing about this plate is that it can be the star of the meal while you have, perhaps, a simple protein such as chicken thighs or steak. Oh, and slap some sour cream on this for an extra special good time!
Green Beans, Potatoes, and Bacon
Ingredients
- 4 strips bacon, thick cut, chopped
- ¼ pound fresh green beans, ends trimmed, chopped into 1 inch pieces
- 3-4 medium red potatoes, cubed
- 2 Tbsp shallot, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small lemon
- kosher salt
- black pepper
- sour cream or fage greek yogurt for serving
Instructions
- Place a large pan on the stove over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and cook until desired crispiness. When bacon is done, remove bits and place on a plate lined with paper towel. Reserve the rendered bacon grease in a heat-proof bowl. Set both aside.
- While bacon is starting, bring a medium pot of well-salted water to a boil.
- Fill a medium bowl with ice water. Salt the ice water well, too! It doesn't want to feel left out.
- Once the water is at a rolling boil, plunge the green beans in for 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon or fine-mesh strainer and immediately submerge in ice water. Give it a good couple stirs to cool completely and move the salt around. Drain water and ice. (For a more tender green bean, boil for 1 minute…I like mine with a snap so I do 30 secs)
- Water should be back to a rolling boil. CAREFULLY add your potatoes and boil for 5-7 minutes. Check for desired tenderness with a fork. Do not over-boil or Mr. Potato Head will fall apart in the frying pan! When done, drain potatoes and set aside.
- Bacon should be done or close to done by now. Remove bacon and grease separately as stated in Step #1.
- Bring back to heat your frying pan and a splash of bacon grease.
- Add the potatoes and green beans, cook until heated through, a few minutes.
- Then, add to the pan your shallot, garlic, and bacon bits. Drizzle in a little more bacon grease and sauté everything together for 2 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, and/or bacon grease, if needed.
- Remove from heat and squeeze lemon juice all over. Start with a little, taste, then add more as desired.
- I love this with a fat dollop of sour cream or greek yogurt on top!
- Yay! Enjoy!
Notes
Equipment:
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