Saturday, December 15, 2012

Haricots Verts with Bacon and Chestnuts


Searching for a sensational and succulent side dish?  I have just the one, and it’s easy too.  I’ve gone a bit ga-ga over chestnuts lately, so am always looking for new ways in which to use them.   I spotted this recipe on epicurious.com and decided to give it a try.  Am I ever glad that I did, it is so delicious, and rather elegant at the same time. The haricots vert can be cleaned and trimmed the day prior and chilled in a sealable bag lined with paper towels, making it a great make ahead dish.  My guess is that you can cook the bacon ahead and save a tablespoon or so of the bacon grease and assemble things in a flash at a moment’s notice.  Recipes like this make me long for the drop-in guest.

Haricots Verts with Bacon and Chestnuts

1 1/2 pounds haricots verts or other thin green beans, trimmed 
4 bacon slices
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 cup Melissa's whole peeled and cooked chestnuts, coarsely crumbled

Cook beans in a medium pot of boiling salted water (2 tablespoons salt for 4 quarts water), uncovered, until crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Drain and plunge into an ice bath to stop cooking. Drain well and pat dry.
 
Cook bacon in a large heavy skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels, reserving fat in skillet*, then crumble. Add butter to fat in skillet along with beans, chestnuts, bacon, and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes.
 

*This was way too much bacon fat for me, so I poured about half of it off to save for another use.


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2 comments:

Ivy, Phyllis and Me! said...

Good Morning Pattie, This dish looks delicious. I have never made green beans with chestnuts, but I have made them with garlic and olive oil. So I am definitely going to try this side dish. I found you via Yvonne at StoneGable. It's lovely to meet you. I have enjoyed reading your post so have become your newest follower. Sending you best wishes from England, Daphne

Carolina HeartStrings said...

Wow and yum. These beans look delicious!! Come and visit us this week. We are having a wonderful giveaway from a very talented Southern author.