Happy New Year!  With the holiday season officially over, I’m just now realizing I got off easy. I didn’t have to host, and my contribution to the meals was minimal. Actually, this was the only non-dessert dish I made.

I had originally planned to make those fun green bean bundles that keep popping up on Pinterest, but once I started cooking I decided making the bundles was too much work. I modified the recipe just a little to make it easier to prep (and easier for people to take more or less, depending on their mood). 

Green Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar
(adapted from Williams Sonoma)
Serves 8-10

1 1/2 lb. green beans
4 slices of bacon
1/4 c. firmly packed light brown sugar
6 T. unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 t. kosher salt
3/4 t. garlic powder

Preheat the oven to 350F degrees.

Trim the ends off the green beans and cut in half. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Boil green beans for 3 minutes, and then plunge into ice water. Set aside.

In a skillet, cook the bacon just until the edges begin to brown, then remove to a paper towel. When cook enough to handle, snip into pieces with kitchen shears.

Place the green beans in a casserole dish. Top with bacon pieces. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over the beans and bacon.

Stir together the melted butter, salt and garlic powder. Pour evenly over the green beans.

Bake for 20-25 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Linked up with Eat at Home’s Bacon-Fest.