Green Beans with Maple Bacon & Ginger

These Green Beans with Maple Bacon and Ginger will be a huge hit at your next dinner party. The bright green beans are tender crisp, glazed with a tamari ginger sauce, and the bacon is sweetened with maple syrup. For added flavour, I paired the beans with young green onions and sesame seeds. This healthy side dish is prepared simply, and cooked under 10 minutes

 How to cook green beans, so they stay tender crisp?

We love green beans, but overcooked beans are not only unattractive, but they don’t taste as delicious as perfectly cooked beans. To avoid mushy beans, you first need to blanch them. This means, cook them briefly in boiling water, then drain and shock them in a bowl of ice water.

But, one of the most important steps is to cook them in well salted water. Vegetables that are blanched should always be cooked in salty water because this adds flavour. Otherwise, the vegetables will taste bland and watery.

You will need one tablespoon of salt per one litre of water. Once the beans are blanched and shocked with ice water, drain them and set aside until ready to add your sauces, seasonings or use them in casseroles. 

What to serve with green beans?

First, let me say that green beans, if appropriately cooked, are crunchy, low-calorie, high fiber vegetable, and only about 3.6 net carbs per one cup. This is an excellent vegetable if you are following a low calorie or keto diet.

Also, they provide many key nutrients. Young, tender beans are a good source of vitamin C, folate, vitamin K and silicon (needed for healthy bones, skin, and hair).

Green beans are often served as a side to a protein such as chicken, beef, pork or fish. The best part, they go with everything. Here are my 5 favourite gluten-free entrees to serve with green beans

♥ Dates Apples & Sage Pork Chops

♥ Crispy Chicken a l’Orange

♥ Instant Pot best Sticky Ribs

♥ Chilli Lime Chicken with Chorizo Rice

♥ Grilled Halibut