I originally made these green beans for Thanksgiving and I’ll be making them again for Easter as they have such a great flavor. We also liked how they where still crunchy and not mush as some green beans are when cooked.
Bacon Wrapped Green Beans
(Adapted from Carlsbad Cravings)
1 1/4 pounds French green beans (also known as haricot verts), ends trimmed
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
7 strips smoked bacon, NOT THICK CUT, cut in half
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon finely minced fresh rosemary
BALSAMIC BUTTER SAUCE
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon lemon juice (may sub balsamic)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp EACH garlic powder, salt, pepper
1/4 tsp EACH dried oregano, dried basil
Prep: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or a slipmat for easy cleanup. Bring a large pot of water to a boil then add baking soda and ½ teaspoon salt. Place a strainer in the sink. Prepare an ice bath by adding ice and water to a large bowl in the sink.
Par-cook bacon: Arrange bacon half strips on the baking sheet so they aren’t touching. Bake for 12-15 minutes at 400 degrees F or until strips are beginning to turn golden but are still pliable. Drain bacon on paper towels.
Blanch green beans: Meanwhile, add the beans to the pot of boiling water and cook for 2 minutes. Drain and transfer the beans to the ice bath. Once the beans are chilled, drain and pat them as dry as possible. Set aside.
Make sauce: In a large bowl (large enough to hold the green beans), combine the sauce ingredients. Add the green beans and toss until evenly coated and the butter starts to thicken.
Assemble: Arrange beans in 14 even bundles (about 8-10 beans). Wrap one bacon strip half around each bundle and place the bundles seam side down on the prepared baking sheet so they aren’t touching. Sprinkle the brown sugar and rosemary over bundles, concentrating over the bacon and going lighter towards the edges of the beans.
Bake: Bake the green bean bundles for 15-20 minutes at 400˚F or until bacon is golden brown and beans are crisp-tender. Remove from the oven and serve warm.