Trying to come up with side ideas for a holiday dinner can be tricky. Sometimes, going with what's traditional is easiest, but what if you want to do something different? What if your family is sick of the same side dishes every year? Well, we've got your back. This green beans and bacon recipe is a wonderful dish to add to your holiday menu that everyone is sure to delight in.
Green Beans and Bacon Recipe
Ingredients:
7 slices bacon
2 9−ounce packages frozen whole green beans, thawed
6 medium carrots, cut into 3 to 4 inch long strips
2 Tablespoons margarine or butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Directions:
1. In a large skillet cook bacon, uncovered, over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until just crisp, turning occasionally.
2. Remove bacon, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings in skillet; drain bacon on paper towels.
3. Add green beans, carrots, margarine or butter, and garlic to reserved drippings in skillet.
4. Stir fry over medium−high heat about 5 minutes or until vegetables are crisp−tender.
5. Crumble bacon. Stir pepper into vegetable mixture.
6. Remove from heat. Transfer to a serving bowl. Top with crumbled bacon.
What Type of Bacon Should I Use?
Many people are concerned about their diet. Whether you're trying to lose weight, build muscle, or just eat healthier, figuring out what type of bacon to use is important. Regular bacon is made from pork, and is generally high in fat and salt. It's okay to eat pork bacon in moderation, but eating too much of it can really put a dent into your well-being.
If you want an option that's healthier, try turkey bacon. Turkey bacon has considerably less fat than regular bacon, although the salt content is fairly high. If you're on a low-sodium diet, bacon is likely not the best choice for you to be making. By using turkey bacon in our recipe instead of pork bacon, you'll produce a much healthier dish for your family.
Some people have reported that turkey bacon is blander in taste compared to regular bacon, but your experience will vary depending on your own preferences. If you find that turkey bacon is too bland, just use extra seasoning. The health benefits you get from this switch are worth the need to use more seasonings.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Silvia Bogdanski/Shutterstock.com.