Dwarf French beans are delicious freshly picked from the garden, but by the end of the season everyone has probably had their fill of them. Try this unusual way to serve beans and give the family a real treat. The recipe can be made equally well with frozen or runner beans.
ingredients
1/2 kg (1 lb) fresh French beans, trimmed, or 1 X 283 g.(10 oz) packet frozen whole green beans, thawed
Salt
Butter for frying
1 bunch of spring onions, topped, tailed and chopped, or 1/2 small onion, peeled and chopped
100 g (4 oz) streaky bacon, rind removed and chopped
Freshly ground black pepper
To finish:
4 tbsp fresh single cream
1 tbsp freshly chopped mint or parsley
method
1. Cook the beans in boiling salted water for 12 to 15 minutes or until just tender. Drain. Cook frozen beans according to the directions on the packet.
2. Meanwhile, melt a knob of butter in a frying pan. Add the onions and bacon and fry until the onions are golden and the bacon pieces are crisp.
3., Stir in the drained beans and season to taste with salt and pepper. Heat through, stirring constantly.
4. Stir in the cream and chopped mint or parsley and transfer to a hot serving dish. Serve immediately.
See the food glossary for information on recipe ingredients and
food-related terms, and for help on using cooking measurements, see
the measurements page.