Apple Cider Green Beans - biscuits and such
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Apple Cider Green Beans

Apple Cider Green Beans

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Every year for the holidays, my Aunt Lori makes a green bean casserole.  Now she’s the first to admit that the recipe is from the side of a French’s Fried Onion can.  But I refused to make it myself, and I worshipped that casserole.  One of the unfortunate things about learning to cook your family’s famous dishes is that you learn the secrets.  For instance, I was never able to eat meatloaf after my mother made me make it for the first time.  Anyway, when I set out to prepare my first solo Thanksgiving, I was planning on making my Aunt Lori’s green bean casserole.  Then I started looking into what that included.  Now, keep in mind that I’m happy to make a butter-heavy dish if I think it’s worth it.  And if it’s the only heavy fat dish I’m making that meal.  After careful consideration of what else I was serving (turkey, sweet potato casserole, crescent rolls, pumpkin pie, and cranberry sauce), I just didn’t think the calories were worth it on a side dish.

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So I started looking into alternatives.  I had already bought the green beans, and while a can of french fried onions can waste away in my cabinet for years, I wasn’t wasting fresh green beans.  So I perused the internet for a recipe that sounded good.  It was a bust.  For one, half the recipes I found were for the same 300 calories a serving casserole I was running away from.  The rest either included tomatoes (not the right season) or sounded unappealing for a variety of other (I’m too picky) ways.

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So I decided to fly by the seat of my pants, taking things I liked from different recipes here and there.  For instance, Rachel Ray had a recipe where her green beans were cooked in apple cider.  Others used apple cider vinegar.  So I took those elements and made it my own.  When I cook green beans, I like to boil them, then toss them lightly with butter and salt and pepper.  With this recipe I tossed them in less butter, a small amount of apple cider vinegar, and a larger amount of apple cider.  The result was light, crispy, and a good textural alternative to the other flavors on the Thanksgiving table.  I will note that Dan was not a fan of this recipe.  I don’t know how Megan and John felt about it, and Meredith only ate cranberry sauce and stuffing, but I loved it.

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Apple Cider Green Beans

1/4 cup apple cider vingear

1 cup apple cider

2 tbsp butter

4 cups fresh green beans

Clean and boil your green beans.  When they’re ready they’ll be bright green, and will be crunchy to taste.  But not so crunchy that they’re hard to eat.  Drain and return to the pan.  Toss in butter and apple cider.  When the butter is melted, add salt and pepper.  Pour in apple cider, and simmer for five to ten minutes.  Serve in a bowl with juices.

Serves 4.

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4 Comments

  • Elsie Erret

    22.11.2009 at 12:06 Reply

    I don’t usually comment on sites but had to on yours. You have a very unique writing style. A lot of people don’t have that touch, they just drone on and on in the most boring way. But not you – thanks! I can’t wait to try out some of the recipes you have here (after a trip to the market to get the ingredients). Cooking is my favorite hobby. I don’t have time to read it all right now, I found your site when looking for something else on Yahoo, but I’ve bookmarked your home page and will check back soon to see the latest posts. Thanks again!

  • tratamento da celulite

    20.11.2011 at 13:23 Reply

    Este site está mesmo muito bom, continua!

  • j

    07.11.2013 at 16:44 Reply

    I made this and followed the instructions as written, but the beans turned out super sour… :(

    • elena

      07.11.2013 at 17:54 Reply

      I am so sorry to hear that! Was it that the apple cider vinegar was too overpowering? It’s definitely an acquired taste for some.

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