When I was growing up my Mom made these beans a lot for our “special occasion” meals. I would look forward to these when we had special guests coming over and usually around holidays. My parents have always tried to cook healthy. Since one of the four ingredients was bacon (and bacon grease) it was a big treat when we had these green beans! This flavor packed side has certainly stolen the dinner show many times!
Food H & P:
3 cans of cut green beans in 14.5 ounce cans
6 slices of bacon
¼ cup of white distilled vinegar
¼ cup of sugar
Food Rx:
Cook bacon and save the grease. Drain the green beans and rinse with cool water. Mix equal parts bacon grease, vinegar, and sugar. I have found that usually 6 pieces of bacon produces about ¼ cup of grease. I usually measure the grease first then mix together equal parts of the vinegar and sugar. Pour mixture over the beans and refrigerate until ready to bake. The longer they marinate the more flavor they have. Before baking top with the crumbled cooked bacon. Bake at 350 degrees 15-20 mins or until heated through.
Nursing Tip:
I have found that some emergency room personal can have a gruff exterior; however, like these sweet and sour green beans it turns out they are surprisingly sweet and tangy! The general comforts of having your pillow fluffed, room temperature just right, and soothing background music is the last thing that the staff is considering, as at any given moment an ambulance is pulling in or another patient is clinging to life. Sometimes that can be easily overlook by a stable patient, but word of advice be nice to your nursing staff as they determine your needle size and sign your work excuse!
