Homemade Staples: Green Beans with Bacon and Shallots

This is a tasty side dish to accompany a variety of meals.  The savory flavors of the bacon and shallots really enhance the green beans.  This really is a simple dish to prepare and the wow factor for your guests will be great!

Green Beans with Bacon and Shallots

• 1 lb green beans, washed and trimmed
• 2 strips bacon
• 1 small shallot, finely chopped
• Cracked black pepper, to taste
• Kosher salt, to taste

Steam cook the green beans until crisp-tender.  Blanch them and set aside.

Fry bacon in a large fry pan until crisp.  Remove bacon to paper towel, pat dry, and let cool.  Remove half of the grease in the pan and set aside.

Add the finely chopped shallot to the large fry pan and cook at medium temperature until tender and translucent.

Meanwhile, chop bacon into small pieces.

Turn the heat to low.  Add green beans to large fry pan and toss with the cooked shallots.  Season with cracked black pepper and kosher salt to taste.  Let cook for a minute.  If needed, add a drizzle more of the reserved bacon grease.

Add bacon to green bean mixture and toss to combine.

Turn out mixture into a serving bowl and enjoy!