I actually made and photographed this dish just before
Thanksgiving but never got around to sharing it. As Christmas approaches it gets more
vital! This was the second dish I made (See the other one here.) and brought to the Christmas
party in Cairo last Friday so you can see how essential to the holidays I
believe it is.
Ingredients
600g fine or regular green beans
400g baby new potatoes
4 cloves garlic
3-4 slices of streaky bacon
Olive oil
Sea salt
Black pepper
Cayenne pepper
Method
If you have genuine new potatoes, just wash them to get rid of any dirt and then scrub the peelings. If you have to use little ones or large potatoes with thick skins, peel them first and cut to an appropriately small size.
Cut your garlic into thin slices and your bacon into tiny strips.
Cut your garlic into thin slices and your bacon into tiny strips.
Top and tail your green beans, then rinse them. If you are using the regular size, you might
want to cut them into small pieces as well.
(Cut them diagonally because it’s more fun and prettier than a straight
cut.)
Fry the bacon until crispy and then add the garlic. Fry for a few more minutes, stirring
frequently. You do not want the garlic
to brown because it gets bitter.
Add in potatoes and cook, covered, for a few minutes. If it looks too dry, add a small sploosh of
olive oil. Add in the green beans and stir to coat with the bacon
grease and olive oil. Sprinkle in a
little salt and the two peppers.
Cook, covered, until the potatoes are done and then till the
green beans are as soft as you like them.
If you want your green beans really crunchy, delay adding them until the
potatoes are almost cooked.
Check the salt and pepper, adding more if necessary. Enjoy!
After note: I had a lovely time with a new friend touring the shops of Maadi, finishing with lunch at a restaurant called Fusion overlooking the River Nile. Sadly, I did not find any baby red new potatoes. Yet.
After note: I had a lovely time with a new friend touring the shops of Maadi, finishing with lunch at a restaurant called Fusion overlooking the River Nile. Sadly, I did not find any baby red new potatoes. Yet.
This looks delicious. I love your picture of water falling on the green beans. I haven't seen that composition on a food blog before, and washing is such a satisfying (and pretty!) part of the preparation process. I look forward to reading through more of your posts.
ReplyDeleteGreen beans and bacon have been part of my Christmas and Thanksgiving tradition too for many years. The potatoes look great but I am sure I would be in trouble if I didn't do mashed potatoes.
ReplyDeleteNo, no, no, Kari! We have mashed potatoes too! And sweet potatoes baked with brown sugar and some Karo - and pecans, if I have any. And if the extended family is coming, even a casserole dish of mac and cheese. Carb overload, yes, but without mashed potatoes, how would I make a bowl for gravy on my plate? In fact, I make these ones here. http://www.foodlustpeoplelove.com/2011/11/extra-rich-creamed-potatoes.html
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words. In this case, the washing is not only satisfying and pretty, but the little bit of moisture that clings to the beans is essential in cooking, because it ensures that the garlic won't burn. And it creates an equally satisfying hiss and flume of steam when the beans hit the hot bacon and garlic pan!
ReplyDelete