Green Beans

Green beans, meet my little friend bacon....

This is my Wednesday night dinner. It was so hot outside that I felt like having an all vegetable dinner. Have you ever done that? OK, it's not all vegetables, there is some bacon.

The way I make my fresh green beans is like this:

I picked up two nice sized bags of fresh green beans (from a local producer, of course), cleaned them and French style cut them. I sliced my whole package of bacon in chunks, browned it in my dutch oven. I drained the grease (leave a little for flavor), dumped in my French-cut green beans, and added two cups water. Cover and simmer, stirring regularly. When the beans are of the consistency that you want them, they are done. I like mine crisp/tender. Needless to say, my dinner was very good.

Green beans are one of the first vegetables to ripen, and a very good sign of summer's bounty. The nice thing about green beans, you can purchase them year round. This homey vegetable is one of late summer's most traditional taste sensations. They're inexpensive, packed with nutrition (did you notice the nutrition tab for fresh green beans?) and flavor, and make great summer salads, sautes, and side dishes.

The health benefits:

Every produce choice you make is a good one, whether it be fruits or vegetables, but adding fresh green vegetables to your diet could give you extra protection against disease. Green beans contain a compound called phytonutrients that may prevent cancer and heart disease. Green vegetables may also help strengthen vision and promote strong bones and teeth.

FRESH IS BEST!!

Good luck~Happy eating~Enjoy