Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Roasted Green Beans

I've mentioned them on more than one occasion. I make them at least once a week. And yet I have never actually blogged about them. So today, roasted green beans are finally getting their place in the sun--er, on the blog.
Okay, so there's really no right or wrong here. No specific amounts. But you do want to begin with the stars of the show--green beans.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Snap or cut off the ends of the beans. If they're really long, you can snap or cut them in half. Then rinse well, drain well and spread them on paper towel to remove as much of the excess water as possible. 

While they're drying, cut some bacon into bite-size pieces.
How much bacon you add depends on the amount of beans you have. If I'm fixing just enough for the family, I usually only add one slice of thick-cut bacon which, I suppose, would equate to two slices of regular bacon. Of course, if don't want meat with your veggies, you can skip this step.

Transfer beans to a large sheet pan that's been lined with foil. This will make cleanup SO much easier.
Dot beans with the bacon.
Drizzle with coconut or olive oil. Since this bakes at such a high heat, I prefer coconut oil. If it's solid, I simply put in the microwave on defrost for a minute so I'm able to drizzle it. As for how much oil, not too much, but not too little. You want to coat the beans, but you don't want them swimming.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to coat.
Bake in preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until you begin to see some color on the beans.
These could have actually gone a couple more minutes, but I was in a hurry.

My boys never liked green beans before I started making them this way. And while I wouldn't go so far as to say they love them, they do actually put them on their plate and eat them now. 

So it's September. School is back in session and fall decorations are cropping up all over. Things at the ranch are pretty mellow right now.
That is, until cattle or deer wander into the dogs' line of vision. Then all bets are off.

We still like to do our evening rides around the ranch and I captured these two reveling in the sunset the other night.
Sigh. Such a serene image. Horses are so beautiful.

So what does September bring to your neck of the woods? And have you ever had roasted green beans? Would you?

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Three-time Carol Award finalist, Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, the youngest of her five children and two dogs. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com 




8 comments:

  1. Oh, what a love shot of those horses... and the dogs! I love it. Mindy, I'm welcoming fall with open arms... and sweaty brow. And I've never tried roasted beans with bacon, so now I'm aiming to do that. It sounds wonderful!!!

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    1. Ruthy, that's one of my favorite pictures. And it just kind of happened.

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  2. Beautiful pic of the horses! There are horses in the field next to our house along with about 100 head of cattle. I love watching them in the evening. Roasted green beans.... might be for dinner tonight since I'm baking lemon pepper chicken. I love roasted green beans with a touch of crunch to them. Unfortunately, my husband wants them cooked to death. So sad.

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    1. Pat, what is it with cooking green beans to death? I know exactly what you're talking about. And I don't get it.

      I, too, love watching the horses and cattle. Especially the calves. They're just fun.

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  3. And another time where the interloper, bacon, steals the show. lol It seems that bacon makes everything better, though I don't understand that at all. :-)

    Love the lounging dogs, on standby in case a marauding cow threatens their domain. You can rest easy knowing they are on the job.

    Our kids went back to school today -- and this week has been hot and humid just like the rest of the summer. And tomorrow it's going up to 104!!! Gah! But it's supposed to break tomorrow night and we'll get nice cool fall temps...I hope.

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    1. 104?!?!?!? Those kind of numbers are even crazy here in Texas. Eesh. But at least you have the hope of cooler temps sooner than later.

      And Kav, I will put my bacon up against your tofu any day of the week as far as adding flavor. Of course, we know that's not going to happen. I still love you. And I knew you'd like the doggy pic. They look so sweet.

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  4. Oh, those look so good!! I can't wait to try this recipe!! Must buy bacon first, though. I haven't bought it in ages.

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    1. Missy, what do you mean you haven't bought bacon in ages? You'd have a heart attack if I told you how much I go through in a week. Granted, much of that is for my 19 year old son, but I still throw it in the shopping cart. Plus, you never know when you might need it for green beans or something. ;)

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