Long Beans with Walnuts

Doesn’t that just look delicious?  Well let me tell you, it tasted even more wonderful than it looked. 

Recently Maisie and I picked the first long beans if the season from our garden.  As luck would have it, I had just tucked away a recipe for Skillet Green Beans with Spiced Walnuts and I knew that the recipe was going to be the inspiration for our beans.  This recipe had wonderful flavor and the heat from the cayenne wasn’t in-your-face but sort of a tingle on the finish.  I really enjoyed this preparation and found that I liked it hot from the pan, at room temperature but even better, loved it cold the next day on top of a salad of greens.  I hope that you’ll give it a try.

Long Beans with Walnuts (Adapted from here)

2 TBS. bacon fat, butter or oil (I used bacon fat because I had just fried up some hickory smoked bacon for another recipe and was too lazy to wash the pan.  After tasting the beans I would definitely use bacon fat each and every time I make this dish, total yum!)
1 oz. piloncillo, grated or shaved (or brown sugar)
1 tsp. fresh grated ginger
1/8 tsp. cayenne, more or less to taste
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 lb. long beans or string beans, cut in 2-inch lengths
Salt & pepper to taste

In a large skillet over medium-low, heat the bacon fat, piloncillo and ginger until the sugar is melted and the ginger starts to become fragrant.  Add the cayenne and walnuts.  Stir to coat the nuts well with the sugar & fat mixture.  Add the beans and toss to coat stirring for about 1 minute.  Cover and reduce temperature to low.  Allow the beans to cook for about 5 minutes.  Remove lid, stir to coat everything and taste for degree of doneness.  The long beans are done when they are cooked but still have a bit of bite, season as needed with salt & pepper. 

Enjoy!!