Recipe of the Day: Cranberry Bacon Green Beans 🍁🍃  

Healthy Fact of the Day: Cranberry Bacon Green Beans offer a delightful combination of crisp green beans, smoky bacon, and sweet-tart cranberries. This recipe provides a balance of flavors and textures, along with the nutritional benefits of green beans and the unique touch of cranberries.

Now, let's dive into the recipe!

Cranberry Bacon Green Beans

1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup dried cranberries
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and black pepper to taste
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes or until they are bright green and crisp-tender.
Drain the green beans and immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain again and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Add the blanched green beans to the skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes, tossing to coat them in the garlic-infused oil.
Drizzle balsamic vinegar over the green beans and continue to sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Season the green beans with salt and black pepper to taste.
Remove the skillet from heat and transfer the green beans to a serving dish.
Sprinkle crumbled bacon and dried cranberries over the top.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Serve these Cranberry Bacon Green Beans as a vibrant and flavorful side dish.