Green Bean Bundles

The Birthday Boy got to decide what he wanted for his pre-bday dinner -- AND it wasn't meat!!  haha  However - this was still considered a "feast"!  Ross's grandma sent us lobster for our anniversary - so we made that up with Crab legs with roasted red potatoes AND this awesome green bean side!!  I was thrilled to use my "star fish" on my platter -- hehe....I'm sure that was what Ross was thinking when he requested crab legs!!

But anyways - on to the awesomeness of these green beans....this is by far my FAVORITE way to eat green beans!!  Probably isn't super healthy anymore though with that bacon on there....but it's fancy, tasted AMAZING, and I'm in love!!  Try this - you won't be disappointed!!  It was super easy to make too - and a lot of it can be made ahead of time, so it would be super good for a large group!!  Ahhh I want more - right now!!

OBB cookbook - serves 8

Ingredients:

1 lb. green beans with the ends snapped off (buy or pick about 1 1/2 pounds so you'll have 1 lb. after the beans' ends have been snapped)

8 slices lean, regularly sliced bacon

3 tablespoons real butter (no substitutions!)

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

1 tablespoons white sugar

1 tablespoons minced red onion

1 clove minced garlic

1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt

 

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.

 

If you're using fresh green beans, wash and snap the ends off.  Discard any sickly looking, overly skinny, limp, or yucky-looking beans.  Super-scientific, right?  When the water is boiling, briefly boil (blanch) the beans for 2-3 minutes or until you start hearing a popping noise and the beans have turned bright green.  Quickly drain and rinse in cold water until the beans have cooled.

 

If you're planning on completing the beans immediately, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. 

 

On a cookie sheet, divide the green beans evenly into 8 piles.  Carefully bundle each pile of beans with one slice of bacon and return to the baking sheet.  This step can be done up to a day ahead of time.

 

When the oven is ready, place the pan in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the bacon is crisp and sizzling.  While the bundles are in the oven, melt the butter over medium-high heat in a small saucepan.  When the butter is bubbly, add in the onions and garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes or until the onions are softened and fragrant.  Reduce heat to low and add in vinegar, sugar, and salt.  Remove from heat and set aside.

 

When ready to serve, place bean bundles on a serving platter and drizzle with sauce.  Serve immediately.