Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
- 8-10 slices of bacon
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon pickling salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon dill seeds
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Special equipment needed:
- Large pot
- Wide-mouthed jars with lids
- Tongs
- Parchment paper
Step-by-step instructions:
1. In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add trimmed green beans and blanch for 2-3 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
2. In a small saucepan, combine white vinegar, water, pickling salt, sugar, dill seeds, garlic cloves, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil and stir until the salt and sugar are dissolved.
3. Pack the blanched green beans into wide-mouthed jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace.
4. Pour the hot pickling liquid over the green beans, making sure to cover them completely. Let cool to room temperature.
5. Cover the jars with lids and refrigerate for at least 24 hours, or up to 2 weeks.
6. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
7. Cut each bacon slice in half crosswise.
8. Wrap each green bean with a half slice of bacon, starting at one end and spiraling around the bean until it's completely covered. Place the bacon-wrapped beans on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the beans are tender.
- Time:
Preparation time: 30 minutes
- Pickling time: 24 hours
- Cooking time: 20-25 minutes
Temperature:
- Pickling liquid: boiling
- Oven: 375°F
Serving size:
- This recipe makes about 16-20 bacon-wrapped dilly beans.
Nutritional information:
- Calories: 80
- Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
Substitutions for ingredients:
- You can use canned or frozen green beans instead of fresh.
- Instead of white vinegar, you can use apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar.
- If you don't have pickling salt, you can use kosher salt or sea salt.
- You can use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar.
- If you don't have dill seeds, you can use fresh dill or dried dill weed.
- You can omit the red pepper flakes if you don't like spicy food.
Variations:
- Instead of bacon, you can use prosciutto or pancetta.
- You can add sliced jalapeños or other hot peppers to the pickling liquid for extra heat.
- You can add sliced onions or carrots to the pickling liquid for extra flavor.
- You can use different herbs and spices, such as coriander seeds, mustard seeds, or bay leaves.
Tips and tricks:
- Make sure to blanch the green beans before pickling them, as this will help them retain their color and texture.
- Use wide-mouthed jars for pickling, as it will be easier to pack the green beans and pour the pickling liquid.
- When wrapping the bacon around the green beans, make sure to overlap the slices slightly to prevent them from unraveling.
- If the bacon is not crispy enough after baking, you can broil the beans for a few minutes to get them extra crispy.
Storage instructions:
- The pickled green beans can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Reheating instructions:
- To reheat the bacon-wrapped dilly beans, place them on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through.
Presentation ideas:
- Serve the bacon-wrapped dilly beans on a platter with toothpicks for easy serving.
- Arrange them on a bed of lettuce or fresh herbs for a colorful presentation.
Garnishes:
- You can sprinkle chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley or chives, over the bacon-wrapped dilly beans for extra flavor and color.
Pairings:
- These bacon-wrapped dilly beans pair well with grilled meats, such as steak or chicken.
- They also make a great appetizer for a party or potluck.
Suggested side dishes:
- Serve these bacon-wrapped dilly beans with a simple salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Troubleshooting advice:
- If the bacon is not crispy enough after baking, you can broil the beans for a few minutes to get them extra crispy.
- If the pickling liquid is too salty or too sweet, you can adjust the seasoning to your liking.
Food safety advice:
- Make sure to use clean jars and utensils when pickling the green beans.
- Store the pickled green beans in the refrigerator and consume within 2 weeks.
- When reheating the bacon-wrapped dilly beans, make sure to heat them to an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure food safety.
Food history:
- Pickling has been used as a method of preserving food for centuries, dating back to ancient civilizations such as the Greeks and Romans.
- Dilly beans are a popular pickled vegetable in the United States, especially in the Midwest and Northeast regions.
Flavor profiles:
- These bacon-wrapped dilly beans have a savory and salty flavor from the bacon, with a tangy and slightly spicy flavor from the pickled green beans.
Serving suggestions:
- Serve these bacon-wrapped dilly beans as a party appetizer or snack.
- They also make a great side dish for a summer barbecue or picnic.
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