Speckbohnen: Green beans with bacon.
Speckbohnen is a traditional German dish where fresh green beans are sautéed with crispy bacon and onions, creating a savory and hearty side dish. This recipe perfectly combines the freshness of the beans with the richness of the bacon, often seasoned with salt, pepper, and a dash of vinegar or a squeeze of lemon for added zing. It's a simple yet satisfying dish commonly found in German cuisine and can be an excellent accompaniment to grilled meats or sausages. Serving this dish hot highlights the tenderness of the beans and the smoky flavor of the bacon, making it a staple at family gatherings and Oktoberfest celebrations.
Introduction:
Welcome to a culinary delight that combines the crunch of fresh green beans with the savory goodness of bacon. This simple yet delicious side dish will elevate any meal to gourmet status. Perfect for a family dinner or impressing guests at a dinner party, these crispy green beans wrapped in bacon are easy to prepare and delightful to the palate.
Ingredients:
- 500g fresh green beans
- 10-12 slices of raw bacon (thinly sliced)
- Salt (for seasoning and water)
- Ice cubes (for ice bath)
- 1 tablespoon of oil (for frying)
- Water (for boiling)
Detailed Instructions:
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4-5
Equipment: Pot, Knife, Cutting board, Large bowl for ice bath, Frying pan, Tongs
1. Begin by preparing the green beans. Take a handful and line them up on one side. Slice off the ends to make them even, turn and repeat on the other side. Quickly work through the green beans, so you don’t have to trim each one individually.
2. If there are any stringy ends left on the beans, it’s okay if they’re not too fibrous; otherwise, give them a quick trim.
3. Set a pot of water on the stove to boil, seasoning it generously with salt. The salt helps to flavor the beans and retains their vivid green color.
4. Once the water is boiling, add the green beans and let them cook for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with water and adding ice cubes. The ice bath will stop the cooking process, preserving the beans' color and crisp texture.
5. After 5 minutes of boiling, immediately transfer the beans to the ice bath. Let them cool for a moment, then drain. The beans should still be slightly crunchy.
6. Lay a slice of bacon on a flat surface and place a few green beans in the middle. Fold the bacon over the beans and roll them up tightly, pulling the bacon a little to create tension for a snug wrap.
7. Continue the process until all beans are wrapped in bacon. You can streamline the process by laying out multiple bacon slices and rolling several bundles at once.
8. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. When the pan and oil are hot, add the bacon-wrapped beans seam-side down first to seal the bacon and prevent it from unwrapping.
9. Once one side is browned, turn the bundles over to cook on all sides. This will ensure the bacon is crispy all around.
10. Once the bacon is crispy, remove the bundles from the pan and blot any excess oil with paper towels before serving.
Cooking Tips:
- Make sure the bacon is not too thick, or it will take too long to cook and the beans might overcook in the process.
- Cook in batches if necessary, to not overcrowd the pan and ensure even browning.
- Adjust the heat if the pan gets too hot to prevent burning the bacon.
Enjoy these crispy green beans wrapped in bacon as a side dish or as a tasty appetizer!
Recipe generously provided by Meier's cooking tips. To see more recipes like this, visit their YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@MeiersKochtipps.
YouTube channel - Meier's cooking tips: https://www.youtube.com/@MeiersKochtipps
Speckbohnen: Green beans with bacon.
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