Bacony Green Beans Amandine

This is an easy, unbeatable side dish.  The recipe was inspired by the Mustardy Beans with Buttered Almonds recipe in the 2001 Edition of Christmas with Southern Living.  I've made these more times than I can count and, subsequently, the recipe has been tweaked along the way.  These can be made in a large, nonstick skillet on the stovetop.  My favorite way to cook them in an electric skillet.

2 strips thick-sliced, applewood smoked bacon, chopped

2 pounds fresh green beans, washed and trimmed 

2 cups chicken stock

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup slivered or sliced almonds

2 tablespoons coarse-grained mustard

1 tablespoon honey

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Heat your skillet over medium heat.  Add the chopped bacon and cook until done but not crispy.  Scoop out the bits with a slotted spoon and set aside.  Leave the drippings in the pan.

Toss in the beans into the drippings and flip them around with your tongs.  Add stock, bring to a boil and partially cover.  Cook for 12-15 minutes.  Keep your eye on them;  you may have to add more stock or water.

Remove the beans to a serving bowl.  Add the butter to the hot pan.  When melted, add the almonds.  Gently toast them.  Add the bacon, mustard, honey, salt and pepper.  Cook until bacon is warm.  

Pour the beans back into the skillet and toss to combine.  Pour the finished dish into a serving bowl.

Yield:  6-8 servings

Easter Leftovers Recipe 1: B.E.G. With Cheese

Guilty pleasure time: I like to make this indulgent breakfast sandwich when I have leftover hard-boiled eggs. (The acronym stands for Bacon, Egg and Green Onion.) It's cholesterol overload for sure. This is a once-in-a-great-while treat for me.

2 slices Wonder Whole Grain White bread

1 tablespoon Kraft Sandwich Shop Garlic & Herb Mayo (If you don't like mayo, substitute 1 wedge Laughing Cow cheese, any flavor.)

2 slices American cheese

2 slices crisp bacon

1 hard-cooked egg, peeled and sliced

1 tablespoon minced green onion, whites and greens

Butter, for slathering the bread

Place the bread on your work surface. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Smear mayo or Laughing Cow on one side of each bread slice. Place the American cheese on top of the mayo (one cheese slice on each slice of bread). Crisscross the bacon on top of one of the cheese slices. Top the bacon with the egg and green onion. Cover with the other slice of bread, cheese side down, to make the sandwich. Slather the butter on the top and carefully flip it over into the hot skillet. Butter the top slice of bread. Fry, turning frequently, until the cheese has melted and the sandwich is golden brown and delicious.