Bean Recipes

A spring market fixture, green beans are a delicious seasonal treat. If you are looking for something different from your beans this year, try one of the following recipes.

Bean Bundles

Ingredients

• 10 slices bacon
• 1 pound fresh green beans
• 1 cube beef bouillon
• 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until partially cooked. Drain, cut each piece in half, and set aside.
3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place the green beans on a rack or special steamer basket over the boiling water. Cover with a lid so that the steam does not escape. Steam for a few minutes until the green beans are done. Set the green beans aside. Reserve about 2 cups of the water and dissolve the bouillon cube in it.
4. Take a bundle of green beans (4 or 5) and wrap them with a piece of bacon. Secure with a toothpick if necessary. Place the bundles in a shallow baking dish.
5. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the reserved stock with the Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, butter, brown sugar, and garlic powder. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
6. Pour the sauce over the bundles and bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for 20 minutes or until the bacon is done.

Sesame Green Beans

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 1 pound fresh green beans, cut into 2 inch pieces
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add sesame seeds. When seeds start to darken, stir in green beans. Cook, stirring, until the beans turn bright green.
2. Pour in chicken broth, salt and pepper. Cover and cook until beans are tender-crisp, about 10 minutes. Uncover and cook until liquid evaporates. 

Pan Fried Green Beans

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
• 3 tablespoons light soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic

Directions

1. Place the green beans in a large saucepan or pot with one inch of water. You may place them in a steamer insert if you have one. Bring to a boil, cover and cook for 5 minutes, they should still be firm and bright green.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, balsamic vinegar and sugar; set aside.
3. Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until starting to brown. Add the green beans and stir to coat with the oil. Stir in the soy sauce mixture and simmer for a couple of minutes uncovered to reduce the sauce. Transfer the beans to a serving dish and pour the sauce over them.