Green bean bundles are a staple on southern Thanksgiving tables. Packs of green beans are wrapped up in bacon and covered with a sweet glaze, then roasted until everything is crispy and the flavors have melded together. This take on green bean bundles uses a peppery, garlicky, honey-butter glaze in place of the more traditional brown sugar. An added bonus: These look great served up straight from your Field Skillet.
Photo: Lauren V. Allen
Field Notes:
1.
If you end up with some glaze stuck on your pan, don’t try to scrape it off. Instead, simmer some water in your cast iron skillet for a few minutes, then carefully pour the hot water into the sink. Once your pan has cooled enough to safely touch (but is still warm) scrub away any remaining residue with a chain mail scrubber or stiff brush.
Recipe: Green Bean Bundles with Honey Garlic Glaze
Yield: 6 servings
Print RecipeIngredients
1 pound green beans, washed and trimmed
6 slices bacon
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons honey
5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pinch of cayenne (optional)
Tools
Resources
The Field Method for Cast Iron Care
Instructions
1.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Prepare an ice bath.
2.
Fill a medium saucepan with salted water and bring to a boil. Blanch the green beans until bright green, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to the ice bath until cool, then drain and pat dry.
3.
Add the bacon to a No.12 Field Skillet in a single layer and cook over medium heat until the edges begin to brown and crisp (but not cooked through), about 5 to 8 minutes. The bacon should still be soft and pliable in the middle. Transfer the bacon to paper towels and pour any rendered fat from the skillet (reserve for another use).
4.
Cut the bacon strips in half crosswise. Wrap one piece of bacon around bundles of 7 or 8 green beans at a time, securing it in place with a toothpick. Transfer to the No.12 Field Skillet and repeat with the remaining bacon and green beans to make 12 bundles.
5.
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, honey, garlic, salt, black pepper and cayenne (if using). Brush the butter mixture over the green bean bundles with a pastry brush, or drizzle with a spoon.
6.
Bake the bundles for 15 to 25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and cooked through. Serve.
Seasoning Rating: Safe
Cooking bacon and butter in the pan adds seasoning, but cleaning the sticky glaze off at the end might remove a little (see Field Notes above for instructions on the best way to do this).
Seasoning Ratings:
Best—These dishes are the best options for building resilient seasoning, and surefire choices for getting tricky pans back on track.
Better—The best way to keep your skillet in great shape is to cook frequently, and cast iron-friendly dishes like these are your bread and butter.
Safe—These recipes won't strip seasoning away from your pan, but won't really add any, either.
OK—Be sure to clean up promptly. Recipes with this rating might feature acidic ingredients which can affect seasoning if not washed soon after cooking.
