looking for an old fashioned green beans recipe

[Traveler]

Does anyone happen to have an old fashioned recipe for green beans with ham ? I used to cook them with plenty of bacon fat. Delicious, but not terribly healthy. Does anyone have their grandmother's recipe ? I have the utmost respect for how those old gals could cook. I used to talk with the old ladies and I tried to pick their brains. When I think of all the great information that went to the grave with them, it makes me a bit sad. Food just isn't the same anymore.

 

[JaniceM]

I don't do pork products, and can't recall how the older generation made them, but here are some ideas: https://www.yummly.com/recipes/southern-green-beans-with-ham

 

[C'est Moi]

This is my favorite way to prepare fresh green beans. Clean and remove the stems from about a pound of fresh beans. Use a vegetable steamer to steam them for about 3-4 minutes, then remove from the steamer to drain. While they are steaming, cut up and fry a couple of slices of bacon in a large skillet until the fat has rendered. When the bacon is done, toss the green beans into the skillet with the bacon and toss to finish cooking for another minute or two or until desired level of doneness. I don't like soft, wilted green beans so I remove from heat when they are just beginning to soften. Salt and pepper to taste.

 

[Aunt Bea]

I make them as a one pot meal similar to a boiled dinner.

1 vacuum packed ham steak or a ring of kielbasa or both
1 pound trimmed green beans or a bag of frozen fine whole or cut green beans
1 pound of small red or white potatoes, larger potatoes cut into chunks are fine
1 small onion
3 cloves of garlic
2 T oil or bacon fat
1 packet of GOYA ham flavored bouillon
Red pepper flakes to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
1 pint or so of water (no need to cover the contents of the pan with water, just enough to maintain a good head of steam)

Put the oil, minced onion and garlic in a pan and sweat it for a few minutes until it is translucent. Add the water, bouillon, green beans, potatoes and ham steak separated into serving sized pieces (If I'm using kielbasa I leave the ring whole), season and cover the pot. Let it simmer for 20-30 minutes until the potatoes and beans are tender. I use the same basic method for greens, beets with tops and boiled dinners.

 

[Traveler]

I make them as a one pot meal similar to a boiled dinner.

1 vacuum packed ham steak or a ring of kielbasa or both
1 pound trimmed green beans or a bag of frozen fine whole or cut green beans
1 pound of small red or white potatoes, larger potatoes cut into chunks are fine
1 small onion
3 cloves of garlic
2 T oil or bacon fat
1 packet of GOYA ham flavored bouillon
Red pepper flakes to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
1 pint or so of water (no need to cover the contents of the pan with water, just enough to maintain a good head of steam)

Put the oil, minced onion and garlic in a pan and sweat it for a few minutes until it is translucent. Add the water, bouillon, green beans, potatoes and ham steak separated into serving sized pieces (If I'm using kielbasa I leave the ring whole), season and cover the pot. Let it simmer for 20-30 minutes until the potatoes and beans are tender. I use the same basic method for greens, beets with tops and boiled dinners.

Thank you ladies. All 3 look scrumptious . I will try all 3 ASAP.
PS if anyone would care to talk about recipes. I'd be please to offer mine. I typically do, Southern cooking, Chinese, Mexican, Italian, French, Jewish, and some German. I also do my own breads, pies and cakes.

 

[C'est Moi]

Thank you ladies. All 3 look scrumptious . I will try all 3 ASAP.
PS if anyone would care to talk about recipes. I'd be please to offer mine. I typically do, Southern cooking, Chinese, Mexican, Italian, French, Jewish, and some German. I also do my own breads, pies and cakes.

I would love some Chinese food recipes. The most I do are stir-fry, fried rice, etc. So post some of your favorites! In fact, post any type of recipe; I love to cook and reading cookbooks is one of my favorite pastimes.

 

[Paloma]

I try not to cook much Chinese food. That is because I so enjoy it the few times I go out to dine. I don't want it to become commonplace in my home.

 

[Paloma]

Here is one recipe that I have for the old way of cooking green beans in the South. It is delicious.

Country Green Beans or Southern Style Green Beans

Green Beans - Fresh (2 lbs stemmed and snapped), OR 2 Family Size Cans of Cut Green Beans
1 Carton Unsalted Chicken Stock
1 tsp Bacon Drippings aka bacon grease
6 pieces Country Ham Bits or you can use fat back
2 tbs Minced Onion - if using fresh onion use 1/2 a small onion minced
1/4 tsp Onion Powder
1/2 tsp Cracked Black Pepper
1 tsp Salt or to taste
Water
1 can Whole New Potatoes (optional)- to add near the end of cooking

If you are using fresh beans, wash them, stem and snap beans into pieces. With cans drain the cans and fill with water and drain again.

In a stock pot add the bacon grease and seasoning meat (country ham bits)

Add green beans, minced onion, onion powder, salt and pepper to the pot. Pour in 1 carton of chicken stock and add water as needed until beans are covered. Cover with lid allowing space for steam to escape. Slowly bring the beans to a light boil then turn down to medium low to simmer about 2 hours