Better with Bacon – Green Beans with Bacon and Tart Cherry Balsamic Glaze

Wow, it has been over two weeks since our last “Better with Bacon” feature.  What happened??? Shame on me for dropping the ball.

But fear not dear reader, I’m back with a recipe that will provoke a mouth watering experience by literally just saying it’s name. This week I give you…

Green Beans with Bacon and Tart Cherry Balsamic Glaze.

Say it again…

Green Beans with Bacon and Tart Cherry Balsamic Glaze.

Feel that…that’s a wet mouth.  Hit the jump for this simple bacony recipe…

INGREDIENTS:

3 slices bacon
1 small shallot, diced
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup dried tart cherries
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 pound green beans, trimmed and rinsed
kosher salt, to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:

In a saute pan, cook the bacon until brown and crisp. Remove bacon and let drain on a paper towel then remove all but 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings from the pan. Add shallots to the pan and let cook over medium-low heat for a few minutes until softened and just starting to brown. Add chicken broth and stir up any brown bits left from the bacon. Add cherries and balsamic vinegar and bring to a boil. Turn heat down to low and let simmer, stirring occasionally until thick and syrupy, 15-20 minutes.

While glaze is reducing, steam green beans until crisp-tender. When glaze is reduced to a syrupy state, season to taste with salt and pepper. Add steamed green beans to pan with the glaze and toss until they are lightly coated. Remove green beans to a platter using tongs, then pour remaining glaze and cherries over the top of the beans. Crumble the bacon slices over the beans and serve.

Photo and recipe via Pinch My Salt – go check them out!