Bacon and Beans: Brilliant side dish recipe 2023

Bacon and Beans was a recipe stolen from one of our top-frequented restaurants

Friends were coming to have some food at the pool – our neighbours The Rutherford’s, Paul, and Lennie. I wanted to do some different dishes and this was one of them. My Bacon and Beans.

Lennie is a top cook, so I always have to be on top of my game regarding what I am preparing and cooking when she comes. Today I tried something different and went more Western. Of course, though I had a couple of chili padi in there, and then referred to it as fusion.

You are just going to love this dish. It is full of flavours, and this really did ‘turn some heads’. All loved Bacon and Beans, and boy is this ever easy to make.

To make a fairly hefty bowl of Bacon and Beans you will need:

• 3 tins of haricot beans – drain the liquid from one, keep the rest;
• 1 packet of streaky bacon sliced into small pieces;
• 4 finely sliced large shallots;
• 4 cloves of finely chopped garlic;
• 4-5 sprigs of rosemary – take the leaves off the woody stems and finely chop;
• 2 finely chopped chili padi (more or less is up to you); and
• A good pinch of salt and black pepper.

This really is so flipping easy to make my Bacon and Beans.

1. In a large pan fry off the bacon and shallots until the bacon is nice and crispy;
2. Empty the beans, juice and all, into the pan with the bacon, and add the garlic, chili padi and salt and pepper;
3. Slow heat this to a boil, and turn off the heat;
4. Stir in the chopped rosemary;
5. Have a quick taste – you might need a little bit more salt and pepper;
6. Stir and serve.

It went down a storm, and upon tasting it myself yes indeed I could see why. Complex flavours in this one. Bacon and Beans are seriously nice and really simple, but also look damned good. Take the credit and kudos, and – ENJOY!!!

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