Sunday, October 11, 2009

Bundle green beans for flavor and style

Beans, beans, the magical fruit... You know the rest from that old schoolyard rhyme. So green beans are our recipe of choice today.

Beans are a fruit, according to the botanists, because beans bear seeds. The same goes for avocados and tomatoes. But in 1893 The U.S. Supreme Court decided that the tomato was a vegetable since it wasn't sweet. It took a Supreme court decision to determine this? Justice Gray also declared that cucumbers, squash, peas, and beans are vegetables.

The distinction was necessary so the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans could be established. You know... the RDA suggestions of three to five vegetables and two to four fruits a day.


This green bean recipe meets one of those daily requirements. My lovely daughter-in-law, Nessie, served these at a holiday dinner two years ago and they have since become a family tradition. We served them the other night and guests are still raving about them. I think you will, too.

They make a gorgeous presentation, as you can see in the photo above.

GREEN BEAN BUNDLES

1 lb. fresh green beans
olive oil
salt and pepper
bacon, raw

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Blanch green beans for 3 minutes. Toss them in olive oil and salt and pepper. Bundle 10 (+or-) together and wrap 1/2 piece of bacon around bundle. Place in roasting pan and cook 10-20 minutes or until bacon is cooked.

For a variation I sometimes add dried basil or tarragon with the salt and pepper.

1 comment:

  1. That's not only a good-looking dish, it's a healthy one, too. I just love the photography that you have in your blog. You can cook and photograph. Great work, CaliPhoto.

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