My love affair with fresh, seasonal produce from the farms continues and I’m keeping it super simple with this recipe of green beans, bacon and shallots. Just the bare bones, you guys! Add a light dressing and you’ve got a tasty side dish that will go with almost any main.
The photography is a little different today – be patient with me please, I’m experimenting! I promise it will get better. After talking with my blogger/photographer friend, Anita (check out her amazing Instagram and blog) this week I decided it’s important not to become complacent and to experiment along the way while I develop my style. I’ll try to be sure the food always looks good even if my props and backgrounds are a little off!
At Nicholyn Farms, they’ve got beans for miles and miles! Last year I was inspired to make a Spicy Thai Bean Salad when the beans were in season. I also managed to sneak some bacon into that dish, ha! The bacon at the farm is so darn delicious I am always trying to find a way to include it.
We often think of green beans going into soups, stews and casseroles but I think we forget about fresh beans as a healthy additive in the summer. In addition, green beans are a good source of copper, vitamin B1, chromium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, choline, vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids), niacin, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, vitamin B6 and vitamin E. Whew! that’s a lot of nutrients and goodness for you and your growing children! Besides that, they taste great!
You’ll want to pick up fresh beans while you can because like everything else in certain parts of North America, the growing season is short. I can’t believe we’re into August already. Say it isn’t so!
In the meantime, share your fabulous summer creations with me on Instagram. You know I’m dying to see what goes on your grill!
- NGREDIENTS
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 pounds green beans, trimmed
- 6 slices bacon
- 2 shallots, sliced
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon salt. Add the green beans and cook until just tender, 3-4 minutes. Drain and immerse in ice bath. Drain and spread out on paper towels to thoroughly dry.
- Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp, 6 to 8 minutes; transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Let cool, then break into pieces.
- Discard all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings from the skillet and return to medium heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring, for 1 minute and remove.
- Combine vinegar, mustard, oil, ¾ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Add to the green beans, along with the bacon, and toss to combine.
24 Comments
cheri
August 4, 2016 at 6:45 pmIt’s hard to believe it is August already, this summer is going by way to fast. Love green beans and this looks like a delicious way to enjoy them. Have a nice week-end Robyn.
cheri recently posted…Mustard Leaf Sauce
Robyn
August 6, 2016 at 7:20 amI am so not ready for Summer to end, Cheri! Do you do a lot of preserves with all your garden produce or do you give it away before you head back home?
Robyn recently posted…Green Beans with Bacon and Shallots
Cheri
August 6, 2016 at 10:42 amUsually give it away.
Linda
August 4, 2016 at 9:32 pmThese green beans look amazing and fresh. I love adding bacon to green beans. Lovely recipe my sweet friend. Have a super weekend. Lots of love from W.W.
Linda recently posted…Fun With FotoJet!
Robyn
August 6, 2016 at 7:21 amThanks, Linda! Hope your weekend is fabulous. Lots of love to you!
Robyn recently posted…Green Beans with Bacon and Shallots
Anita Rivera
August 5, 2016 at 5:38 amDoesn’t that look SO GOOD! And keeping the ingredients minimal sometimes is best, don’t ya think? Especially with fresh produce, we want the taste of summer to be the star, and with just a little support from the flavors and textures of a good fat and herbs and spices, these veggies upstage any highly complicated dish. And beans, what says summer harvest more than fresh beans???
Robyn
August 6, 2016 at 7:23 amLove green beans, Anita, and today I’m headed out to get some fresh picked beets, corn and Swiss chard. I see some corn salsa in my future, lol. I want every day to be like this. So not ready for the idea of Fall! I’m going to protest 🙂
Robyn recently posted…Green Beans with Bacon and Shallots
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
August 5, 2016 at 6:19 amYum, add bacon to anything and I’ll eat it. Don’t tell me summer is coming to an end soon. Boo, hoo!
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings recently posted…Baked Sweet Potatoes with Egg
Robyn
August 6, 2016 at 7:24 amLOL, I’m the same way with bacon, Karen, and it’s funny because I didn’t eat meat for about 10 years but once I started working with a responsible farm, I was all in! Let’s you and I get a petition going to delay Fall!
Robyn recently posted…Green Beans with Bacon and Shallots
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
August 5, 2016 at 7:19 amI love a simple green bean recipes – especially with bacon! These looks “snapping” fresh and I can think of nothing better!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland
August 5, 2016 at 10:08 amI said it on facebook but I’ll say it again, the simplicity is so appealing with these beans…you’ve given me an idea that I can really use, thanks!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland recently posted…Death By Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Blair @ The Seasoned Mom
August 5, 2016 at 1:34 pmI think your photos look great! Experimenting with new ideas is always a good idea!
These beans sound YUM, too. Can’t ever go wrong with bacon!
Blair @ The Seasoned Mom recently posted…Golden Chicken
Robyn
August 6, 2016 at 7:25 amThanks, Blair. I love photography but sometimes it drives me nuts, lol. I’m sure you’re already on the go with your busy family. Your weekends are so packed full of fun – love reading about them!
Robyn recently posted…Green Beans with Bacon and Shallots
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
August 5, 2016 at 1:46 pmSuch a perfect way to enjoy perfect summer beans! Lovely 🙂
Chris Scheuer
August 5, 2016 at 2:54 pmI love that there are a zillion things you can do with plain old green beans and this looks like a wonderful yet easy option!
Anita Rivera
August 6, 2016 at 7:46 amGOOD MORNING, BEAUTIFUL!!!!
I love ya. You know that? I just enjoy speaking with you, I love your enthusiasm about food, fun, LIFE! And how fun to go to the market again to get more goodies for recipes! I just may wander on over to our farmer’s market today too. SWISS CHARD! Yummalish. And corn salsa….I PREDICT you will have a wonderful time in the near future, preparing, photographing and maybe getting a taste of corn salsa! Yes, corn is starting to show up here, and the State Fair is preparing and when that happens, that means SCHOOL is starting. How about we both protest, together? teeehe
Robyn
August 6, 2016 at 6:07 pmLove ya too, Anita! My goodness, we have fun, lol. I need you to move next door, please!
Anita Rivera
August 6, 2016 at 7:47 amOH! Your suggestion worked I think, on Instagram. (remember, one at a time?) YOU ROCK!
Marla
August 6, 2016 at 2:13 pmHI Robyn,
Don’t you love summer time when you can make fresh veggies that are so delicious and nutritious. What a great healthy way to perk up green beans. . Thank you for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & tweeted!
Anita Rivera
August 7, 2016 at 6:24 amImagine if we lived next door to each other??????????? Our friend across the street, he and his partner are the greatest neighbors and some times he just pops on over, sits on our bistro set and we just chat and plot and plan garden ideas….if you and I were close in proximity, I think we’d be cooking, taking photos, LAUGHING! tteeehe HAVE A SUPER SUNDAY!
Mindy
August 12, 2016 at 7:19 pmTruly my heart is going pitter-patter over those fresh green beans atop the white plate with a chippy background- oh! Your photography and styling are over the top lately…
Robyn
August 13, 2016 at 4:46 pmAwwh, you are too sweet, Mindy! I’m having fun playing with some different ideas lately. I was able to pick up some fun props at an arts and crafts festival so you’ll see some more experimenting in the future, lol.
Gourmet Getaways
August 22, 2016 at 5:43 pmGreen beans would have to be one of
My favourite side dishes. You can do so much with them. Love bacon and beans!!
be to discover in a village like that!
Thanks so much for sharing
Julie
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