Great Green Beans with Rendered Bacon and Onions

I recently cooked some delicious green beans the other day that I think you will enjoy. In the tradition of Southern cooking I took perfectly good vegetables and cooked them in pork fat. My mother's pork fat of choice for the longest time was fatback. She now uses smoked turkey wings. This recipe uses your typical smoked bacon you find at any grocery. (Fatback is at every grocery store too. It's next to the hams, etc) The bacon fat imparts a great flavor and a little extra cholesterol and calories. Enjoy in moderation!

Great Green Beans with Rendered Bacon and Onions

Serves 8

2 Lbs. of fresh Green Beans, washed & ends trimmed

2 strips of Bacon, cut into small bits
1/2 Onion, thinly sliced lengthwise

Salt, to taste

- In a large pot, bring 2 cups of salted water to a boil

- Add green beans to pot and boil for 5 to 7 minutes

- Remove green beans from boiling water and place in a bowl of ice water to preserve texture and color

- In a large saute pan, render bacon until thoroughly cooked but not crispy

- Add thinly sliced onions and saute until translucent

- Add blanched green beans to pan and toss thoroughly

- Cover and cook for another 5 minutes and serve