Fig & Bacon Green Beans
Green beans are a big part of southern culture, and for good reason! They’re rich in vitamin K, folate, and silica, nourishing the gut, mitochondria, and bones!
This is a super simple green bean recipe that you can bring to gatherings in place of creamed beans. You may gasp, thinking, “there’s no way people will go for green beans un-creamed!” But ohhhh I assure you they will. Bacon is an extended olive branch and a sure way to silence any objections. I mean, do you object to anything that has bacon?
Health Tip - a pig’s diet is often highly infiltrated with corn, soy, and grain feed that reduces its omega-3 content, simultaneously rising its omega-6 content. A boost in omega 6 PUFAs is one of the biggest contributors to insulin resistance and systemic inflammation in the human body, so it’s best to source fully pastured pork when able! A company I highly encourage you to try out is called Firebrand Meats. They are a conscious company ensuring their pigs eat an evolutionary-appropriate diet, providing some of the lowest PUFA pork around.
Health Tip - always choose organic produce and better yet, source produce from your local organic/regenerative CSAs.
What to source:
2 pounds green beans, stems removed
1-2T barrel aged balsamic vinegar
1/2 pound sliced bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (pastured, no nitrites/nitrates, no added sugar)
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 cup fresh figs, quartered
What to do:
Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, prepare an ice water bath by filling a bowl halfway with ice and water.
Place beans in the salted boiling water and cook until crisp tender, about 3 minutes. Drain and place in the ice bath to cool. Drain and set aside.
In a large cast iron pan set over medium heat, cook bacon until it starts to brown. Add onion and cook until it caramelizes and turns golden.
Add reserved green beans, balsamic vinegar, and figs and simmer for a few minutes.
Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of fresh herbs
