Tuesday, January 18, 2011

100th Post, a Recipe, and a GIVEAWAY!

Today I am celebrating two things, first, this is my 100th blog post and in honor of such I have a tasty giveaway (please see details below).  Second, and MOST importantly, it's my son's birthday, so Happy Birthday, Andrew, you handsome devil, and one of the best sons a mother could ever have!

Andrew eating a garbage burger
Chef, foodie, & birthday boy

We actually celebrated a little early with a delicious dinner on Sunday.  In addition to the toothsome Brisket Braised in Porter (Brisket seemed an appropriate choice considering Andrew is a big fan of the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory -- other BBT fans will know why), Gruyere Potatoes, and salad, I also served green bean bundles that were a big hit.  The beauty of all of these dishes is that they are make ahead - yay!  I think a good side dish is often hard to come by, particularly where vegetables are concerned, so give this one a try and let me know what you and your guests think.

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Green Bean Bundles
Yields: 12 bundles


1-1/2 pounds green beans, washed and trimmed
1 stick butter
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon packed, dark brown sugar
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
6 slices of bacon, cut in half


Fill a large saucepan with wanter and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.  Add green beans all at once and when water retruns to a boil, blanch for 3-4 minutes.  Drain the beans and immediately run under cold water.  Pat dry and place in an overproof casserole dish.


While beans are blanching, melt butter in a medium saucepan.  Add mustard, brown sugar, garlic and salt.  Pour butter mixture over beans in casserole dish.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.


Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Make bundles of green beans using between 8 and 12 beans depending upon size desired.  Wrap a half slice of bacon around each bundle and secure with a plain wooden toothpick (do NOT use colored toothpicks, or the color will bleed onto both bacon and beans).  Arrange bundles in a single layer in the same pan used for marinating.


Bake, uncovered for 35-35 minutes until the bacon is cook and the beans are roasted.


~~~~~~ GIVEAWAY DETAILS! ~~~~~~
I was fortunate enough to get one of the first issues of this excellent publication on women and their sacred cooking spaces.  Now I want to share one with you.


Where Women Cook is the newest quarterly magazine from the publishers of Where Women Create and Somerset Studio. This premier issue features Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman; Robin Brown of Magnolia Pearl; Serena Thompson, The Farm Chicks; Mamma Agata's Cooking School on Italy's Amalfi Coast; CAKE, Celeste Shaw's newest restaurant & bakery…plus so much more! Creative storage ideas, eye-catching décor, delicious food and drink recipes, and inspirational stories will all be shared within the pages of this magazine.


To win this premier - certain to become a collectible - Winter 2010 issue, all you have to do is become a FOLLOWER of this blog and LEAVE A COMMENT at the end of this post.  That's it!

The winner will be selected on Sunday, January 23rd and announced in my posting on Monday the 24th.


This is linked to:





Tempt my Tummy Tuesdays

17 comments:

  1. Congrats on your 100th post Pattie and Happy Belated Birthday to your boy ;) I'm now an official Google Friend Follower...even though I already followed you with my Google Reader! You had me at the green bean bundles...they look and sound fabulous and I love that you can prepare them ahead of time...always looking for these kinds of recipes for getting together with my family has well. Have a wonderful week, fondly, Roberta
    rlphilbr13@aol.com

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  2. Congrats on 100!! A great milestone. I am certainly going to be trying those green bean bundles. They look amazing.
    happy Birthday to your son too.

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  3. Hi Pattie, Congrats on your 100th post! It's a nice accomplishment. I also have a 'handsome devil of a son' named Andrew! He has been the recipient of many of my best meals! He's away at college and is missing good, home cooking! Have a good day!

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  4. congrats!!! 100 posts and a handsome birthday boy son! happy day to him! and you! My oh my the meal sounds yummy! and I have a birthday next week!

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  5. Congrats on both counts the post number and the son's birthday. I had you coming in by RSS, but now follow. I would love that gift! Have a great day.

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  6. I am following you on Twitter--that magazine looks great--thanks for having it as a giveaway!

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  7. That green bean bundles recipe looks amazing. I'm always looking for interesting sides and one that can be made ahead gets a big thumbs up from me.

    Your son is very handsome - happy birthday to him! My son also loves Big Bang Theory.

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  8. Hi Pattie....thank you for stopping by with those nice comments. I see we have two more things in common...the same name and a love for cooking! I will, most certainly, become a follower, and hope you do the same. Oh yes, and sign me up for your lovely give-a-way! Have a wonderful day!

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  9. Pattie, first of all, Happy Birthday to your son! Hope his day is wonderful.

    Congratulations on your 100th post! That magazine sounds great. As to becoming a follower, I have a policy of following the people who follow me, so I'm hoping if I join you here, that you will join me at my blog, too.

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  10. Pattie, congratulations on your 100th post! And thanks for stopping by my tablescape this week. The Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel outlets are actually three hours away from us, but we make time to go about twice a year! SUCH fun!

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  11. Congratulations on 100 posts! I'm a follower although I don't see my picture over there in the margin. Oh well, hopefully it will eventually show up.

    I've really enjoyed your blog and look forward to many wonderful things from you in the future! Thank you for the encouragement you've been to me and my blog!

    Would love to see the magazine. Thank you for the giveaway!

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  12. Pattie - Many congratulations on doing such great things. And a happy belated birthday to your son. what a delicious birthday dinner!!!!

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  13. Im following you on google friend... What a lovely giveaway. Thanks for stopping by my blog :)

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  14. I am new to your blog and love it. I can not wait to try some of this.

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  15. Anything roasted is my favorite, and the new twist (bacon) with the green beans is one I will definitely try. Happy blogging and thanks for introducing yourself.

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  16. I missed the giveaway..but wanted to say Congratulations on your 100th post! and a big Thank you for visiting my blog and this delicious recipe you shared.
    Sue

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Thank you so much for commenting, I love every one of them! I am, however, unable to respond to anonymous comments.