Green Beans with Bacon and Shallots 

Total time: 30 minutes
Using bacon and onion or shallots to flavor green beans goes back to my childhood.  My mother would 'cook up a mess of beans', with lots of bacon and onion to flavor them, then finish the whole lot off with heavy cream.  It was wonderful.... I try for the flavor without quite so much artery clogging fat!

 Ingredients:

• 2 strips bacon (2oz, 60gr)
• 2 medium shallots
• 6oz (180gr) green beans

 Instructions:

• Top and tail beans... cut off the ends. 
• Cut into 1 1/2 inch lengths (4cm). 
• Chop shallots.  
• Sauté bacon in a small frying pan. 
• When bacon is crisp remove and crumble. 
• Drain all but 1 tbs fat from pan. 
• Add shallots and sauté until transparent. 
• Add beans, 1/4 cup of water, turn heat to low, cover and simmer until done - about 15 minutes.  If beans dry out add a little more water. 
• When done transfer to serving bowl (there should be little or no liquid left - if there is just pour it off). 
• Add crumbled bacon and serve.