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Big Island Green Beans

by bhealthy on April 26, 2011

Bacon bloggers were abundant last week! The Foodbuzz Tastemaker contest was on April 20th, the rules were to use real bacon in any recipe and the prize was $500. This got me thinking of how I could use bacon to spruce up my recipes. I doubled up on my bacon recipes with Bacon Stuffed Artichokes and got creative with Big Island Green Beans. My inspiration came from the macadamia nuts I had leftover from the Semla Cookies and of course, Bacon!

Big Island Green Beans

Ingredients:

  • 2 slices, Bacon, cooked and chopped
  • 2 cups Haricot Verts (Baby Green Beans- Either Fresh or Frozen work best)
  • 1/3 cup Macadamia nuts, toasted
  • 1/3 cup Goat Cheese, crumbled

Preparation:

Heat skillet to medium heat and cook bacon until crispy. Drain bacon on paper towel, chopping or crumbling when cool. Using bacon grease ( drain excess if you prefer), cook green beans until vibrantly green and tender. Remove and plate green beans, season with S&P if you like. Add macadamia nuts to skillet, toasting for 1-2 minutes. Add nuts, bacon, and goat cheese crumbles.

This was such a satisfying side dish! The refreshing green beans, creamy goat cheese, crunchy bacon and tropical nuts made this dish truly multi-sensory. I wouldn’t normally pair all of this together but I thought it might be one of those intriguing combos. The macadamia nuts were slightly sweet, mild enough to pair with the goat cheese and the bacon added the perfect, salty “punch” as it should!

I paired these with the best egg salad ever!

Best Egg Salad Ever

Ingredients:
2 hard boiled eggs, cooled and chopped
1 Tbsp Mayo
1 tsp horseradish mustard
1 tbsp red onion, diced
1 tsp capers
1 Tbsp italian parsley, chiffonade

I also had a few strawberries. I note “few” because normally I eat 8-10 strawberries as easily as I breathe air. I only had 3 and here is why:

THEY WERE HUGE!!! I hope everyone had a spectacular weekend. Here are some trip photos from Hatteras Island!

(Hiking at Jockey’s Ridge, Kill Devil Hills)
(Tents are up! Camping in the Dunes on Hatteras Island)
(The ocean was just behind our camp)
(The wind was ridiculous, I can’t believe we actually got the grill lit)
(Smoked turkey hot dogs and veggie kabobs)
(Of course we made smores!)
(Sunrise)
(After a long sleepless night)
(I wish I had felt as great as this looked!)
( Bodie Island Lighthouse)
I’m feeling better after a much needed day of rest but I still feel this cold lingering in the distance…What do you do when you feel a cold coming on ?

My mom always said to drink lots of fluid and rest. (Okay Mom-) I’ve been chugging Ginger and Lemon Lift tea like it’s my job!


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  • Anonymous

    I wish I liked bacon (odd thing to say I guess ;) ). But Josh enjoys it enough for both of us :) . Those strawberries are huge! I’m so glad they’re in season. And hooray for camping- looks GORGEOUS. And now I want a smore!! I am with your Mom on the fluids and rest- feel better

  • http://www.givelovecreatehappiness.com/blog.html Wendy Irene

    The pictures of the ocean are so beautiful! thank you for sharing them. It made me smile looking at the lovely photos. I hope that cold goes away asap!

  • http://www.yummychunklet.wordpress.com Yummychunklet

    I like the addition of the nuts and cheese in this veggie dish. Good luck!

  • Parsley Sage

    This post is like fun overload. Bacon AND goat cheese!? Kite-flying AND smores!? The world’s largest strawberry!? Way to rock that holiday. Well done!

    And thanks for swinging by Deep Dish :)

  • http://www.beinghealthier.com Laural (bhealthier)

    my thoughts exactly parsley sage

  • http://www.beinghealthier.com Laural (bhealthier)

    thanks yummy

  • http://www.beinghealthier.com Laural (bhealthier)

    thanks wendy! you are so sweet

  • http://www.beinghealthier.com Laural (bhealthier)

    they were ginormous! um, i made a smore at home last night. in the toaster oven. it was perfect. thanks mom! ;-)