When I was growing up, serving green beans consisted of opening up a can, putting them in a small pot, and heating through on the stove. Blech. (Sorry, Momma!) Because of this, I have never been that fond of green beans, but I have come to like fresh ones, only I haven't found the best method of cooking them. What my green beans have lacked is probably the fat factor.
While the pancetta was rendering, I expected there to be a lot of fat, but there wasn't and I didn't think I would end up with the tablespoon that Dorie said to leave in the pan. Somewhere though, between the frazzled to frizzled stage of the pancetta, the more than a tablespoon of oil appeared. And that, my friends, is what makes these green beans so tasty, along with the extra tablespoon of butter. We really liked the crispy flavor of the pancetta in the green beans and I would make these again, but I would probably drain more of the fat off and omit the butter.
You can find this recipe in Dorie Greenspan's Around My French Table, p. 333. Note: There is a funny story Dorie tells about the market on this page - it's a must read!
Next French Friday: Short Ribs in Red Wine and Port
Sounds and looks delicious Elaine!
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I wasn't too sure about the additional butter requirement when the pancetta fat finally appeared. I'll probably omit it next time as well. Great post!
ReplyDeleteFrazzle and Frizzle. LOL that's a most appropriate description!
ReplyDeleteLooks absolutely delicious.
ReplyDeleteNice post! It's been so long ago that I had green beans from a can that I forgot they come that way...brought back childhood memories...even worse were the canned peas! GAG! And now I think these fresh veges are really good! No wonder the past generation thought it was so hard to get kids to eat their veges.
ReplyDeleteWe had canned green beans growing up, too. Fortunately, we also had them fresh when they were in season. Your beans look great!
ReplyDeleteMmmm, your meatloaf looks yummy with the beans!
ReplyDeleteThese look and sound delicious. I hope you have a great weekend. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteElaine these look absolutely mouth watering. I'm so far behind on my French Fridays with Dorie. Your photos are stunning, I love following your blog.
ReplyDeleteLooks wonderful, Elaine! Your early memories of green beans sound like mine! ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm with ya on the canned veggies...peas are the worst! Your beans look fabulous~
ReplyDeleteI had way too many traumatic experiences with the canned veggies - most memorably beets. I am so glad that we have options like this to make them as lovely as they should be!
ReplyDeleteOh my, that meatloaf looks insanely good with those beans ! Your photos are stunning and I am so thankful that I ate dinner before reading this post :) BTW I have used a mix of olive oil and butter (as opposed to the pancetta fat and butter) on my standard green bean recipe so I knew that type of combo was a winner. But the grand prize still goes to pancetta !
ReplyDeleteYour photos make me hungry for meatloaf AND green beans! I remember when I was growing up, my Mom would always make green beans with 'bacon grease' and cook them to DEATH. They would fall apart as soon as you put a fork to them; but they tasted wonderful. Today, I still love green beans and this recipe sounds as if they would be a bit of a throwback to my childhood!
ReplyDeleteDrain a little more pancetta fat but add just a little bit of butter! I loved the decadent feel of the recipe although it definitely cuts some of the beans nutritional value.
ReplyDeleteMy pancetta didn't give off much fat even between the frizzle and frazzle, but the butter and walnut oil made up for it. It was nice to have an easy recipe for a change. The meatloaf looks good too.
ReplyDeleteYour beans look great Elaine. I have never had canned green beans, and it sounds as though I should not start. Love you big pile of cooked pancetta - delish!
ReplyDeleteElaine, these look *so* delicious! Your photos are gorgeous! I had the same experience with beans (and other veggies) growing up--isn't it great to now know how wonderful fresh is!
ReplyDeleteIt looks so yummy! I have a craving for some green beans now
ReplyDeleteI remember canned green beans! Ah...the seventies...
ReplyDeleteI like the way yours turned out. I think I should have chopped my pancetta a little more finely. Meatloaf would be so good with this!
oh! you're bringing up my childhood vegetable memories! My mum was a firm believer in overcooking everything "just in case"! So green vegies usually looked grey! Yours look fantastic tho!
ReplyDeleteI am guilty of opening those cans!! My kids loved these beans..of course with bacon or panetta..who wouldn't! Your beans look great!
ReplyDeleteI grew up eating them steamed and seasoned with a little soy sauce. Thanks to my mom I am a veggie lover :) "see" you next Friday, Elaine!
ReplyDeleteI did not add any butter, and the beans were great, just with a bit of fat from pancetta.
ReplyDeleteI have never had canned beans before I came to the U.S. And it was not a nice discovery:) I commiserate with you:)
I like your close-up photos:)
I hated canned veggies growing up. Peas and beans were the worst. I didn't get to make this recipe. Being
ReplyDeleteon vacation has meant not as much cooking and more eating out! Your beans look great!! I will give them a try when I get home.
I've never had canned green beans, but at least I understand why some people look at me weird when I say it's my favorite vegetable!
ReplyDeleteYours look delish!
Thank you for the compliment on my girls!
ReplyDeleteYour beans look good and so does the meat loaf!
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