Green Beans and Bacon

We have been wrapped up in watching the Olympics on TV lately.

I really enjoy all the games, especially ice skating, and snowboarding. I try to watch all the events, but  it's close to impossible to catch every single game.

They started out with a glitch! But it still was very beautiful.

I loved her hat! Her work uniform is awesome:)

The snowboarding event was so awesome!

This is how my son watches the Olympic's

(Semi-interested) 

Not a great night for some of the skaters, but we're still

Rooting for the home team:)

We had dinner tonight and the side dish of green beans and bacon was on!

I am embarrassed to admit that I have been eating while watching the games lately.

But it's only once every two years right? 

So here is to a wonderful dinner and here is to team USA!

1 can of green beans

1/2 cup sliced onion

1/2 pound bacon chopped to 1 inch pieces

1 clove minced garlic

1/4 Teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Salt and pepper to taste 

Begin by cooking bacon on med-high heat, until crisp but somewhat soft. Remove bacon and set aside. Discard all but 1 tablespoon of bacon fat from pan, then return pan to stove. Add onion to the pan and let it get a bit browned and translucent, about 3 minutes. Then add garlic and crushed pepper. Cook garlic for only a minute, so not to burn, then quickly add green beans and cook for about 2 minutes then add bacon and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for another minute or two, then transfer from heat to a serving dish.

Ham and String Bean Stew

I can't wait for the holidays to really begin and for me that tradition starts with eating turkey and ham and Black Friday. 

Thanksgiving is an awesome day for traditional foods but I look forward to cleaning up and heading to the late night outlet sales. My kids already made there list's and they are more excited about Black Friday than I am! I love sticking to tradition, I guess I'm freaky like that.

This recipe is kind of a tradition, in that every time we make holiday ham this is what happens with the ham leftovers. This time I cooked it with added potatoes but if you desire you can just omit the potatoes and serve over mashed potatoes. Either way it is a delicious meal made with leftover holiday ham and because my ham was baked with a sweet glaze, it makes this sauce a bit sweet which adds a wonderful fall flavor.

1 small onion sliced

1 can tomato paste

1 can cut green beans drained

1 1/2 pounds ham from shank cut into 1 inch chunks

1 1/2 pounds potatoes quartered

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Using a dutch oven, on medium-high heat, begin by sautéing sliced onion until soft and translucent about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant about 30 seconds. Add ham chunks and let ham and onions cook together for about 5-7minutes. Add can of tomato paste and let it cook with ham for about 3 minutes then add I add about 2 cups of water to pot and stir. If I feel I need more water, I add about a cup more a little at a time. Add salt and pepper, add potatoes and stir. Let stew cook on low heat for an hour, stirring occasionally.

After an hour, add can of cut green beans and check potatoes for doneness. If potatoes are still not soft, cook on low for an additional 45 minutes to an hour. Serve with crusty bread if desired.