I think every family has their favorite recipes which have been passed down generation to generation. One of our favorites was my grandma’s green beans. She served them at family get-togethers for years, as did my mother. I’ve played with the recipe a little over the years, but not too much. It’s an oldie but a goody, and there are probably a lot of other grandmothers out there who made this dish as well. Here is my interpretation. Please consider this recipe a guide as I never make it the quite the same way twice. (I don’t think Grandma ever did either.)
Gayle Martin
GRANDMA’S HOMEMADE GREEN BEANS
- 1 to 1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans
- 3 or 4 red potatoes
- 3 or 4 slices of bacon
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- water
Wash green beans, snap off ends, snap into bite-sized pieces and drop into a large mixing bowl. Scrub and dice the potatoes and add them to the beans. Cut bacon slices into small pieces and brown in a small stockpot. Once bacon is browned dump in the green beans and potatoes. Add chicken broth, stir, and cover. Reduce heat to low and simmer for approximately 30 to 45 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and cooked all the way through. Stir occasionally, and, if necessary, add small amounts of water or chicken broth to prevent the beans from scorching. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve as a side dish with pork roast, pork chops or fried chicken.
The Rosie’s Riveting Recipes historic cookbook contains many of the recipes our grandmothers and great-grandmother’s used to make. It’s available on Amazon and Barnesandnoble.com.
