Fresh Green Beans, Tomatoes, Bacon, Onion & Fennel

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• 6 -7 cups fresh green beans, ends trimmed and cut in 2-inch pieces (2 lbs approx)
• 28 ounces stewed tomatoes, no seasoning and lightly drained
• 5 slices bacon, diced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 small fennel bulb, thin sliced
• 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt (to taste)
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper (to taste)
• 1/2 cup chicken broth (you can need more if needed)

Recipe

• 1 bacon -- in a large saute pan, add the bacon on medium to medium high heat to let render and start crisping up. cook about 3-4 minutes.
• 2 vegetables -- now right to the bacon and the drippings, add in the onion and fennel and cook another 5 minutes. add in the beans and toss well so everything is combined. now the tomatoes (note: you can add a bit less tomatoes if you want) personal taste. stir well.
• 3 season -- now add some salt, pepper and the cider vinegar. at this point i also add about 1/4 cup chicken broth since we didn't add all the tomato liquid it gives a liquid for the beans to simmer inches.
• 4 cook -- simmer, on low heat. these are not meant to be crisp beans, soft and slow cooked. if the dish becomes a bit dry during cooking, i just add some more broth to keep the dish simmering. i simmer a good 20-30 minutes.
• 5 that is it -- just enjoy. slow cooked bacon, onion and tomatoes in a chicken broth. they are so good.
• 6 note: if you want -- cut down the recipe in half for a family of 4. no big deal. they are true comfort food.