OMG, you guys, I just whipped up this insanely delish dish with green beans and crispy bacon vibes, and it was, like, totally life-changing! The combo of buttery onions and speck gave it such a cozy feel, and topping it with fresh parsley was like adding an edible confetti party—your taste buds will thank you! 🎉🌿
Speckbohnen is a really nice dish that I really enjoy for its simplicity and for its flavor balance. When you combine tender little green beans with the savory taste of speck, along with onion that’s been sautéed in butter and olive oil, you get a kind of simple side that just feels hearty and is definitely packed with nutrients.
I love the freshness that the parsley as garnish adds.
Speckbohnen Recipe Ingredients
- Green beans: Packed with fiber and vitamins; low in calories and carbs.
- Speck (or bacon): Adds smoky flavor and protein; higher in fats.
- Onion: Enhances flavor; provides antioxidants and vitamin C.
- Butter: Rich taste; contains saturated fats but infuses depth.
- Olive oil: Heart-healthy monounsaturated fats; enhances flavor.
Speckbohnen Recipe Ingredient Quantities
- 500g green beans, trimmed
- 200g speck (or bacon), diced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
How to Make this Speckbohnen Recipe
1. Fill a big pot with water, salt it, and bring the whole thing to a rolling boil. Plunge the green beans into the pot and let them bob around for 5 to 7 minutes, until they’re tender but still a little crisp. Drain the beans and set them aside.
2. In a big frying pan, warm the olive oil and butter over medium heat until the butter becomes liquid.
3. Place the diced speck (or bacon) in the skillet and sauté until it is crisp and golden brown.
4. Place the minced onion into the pan with the speck and cook it over medium heat until it is translucent and soft. You should achieve this in about 3-4 minutes. If you like, you can cover the pan to hasten the process.
5. Add the green beans that have been drained to the skillet, and toss them to mix with the speck and the onions.
6. Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, stirring well to distribute the seasoning evenly.
7. Continue cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes to let the flavors combine and the beans become hot throughout.
8. Take the Speckbohnen off the heat and put them in a serving dish.
9. (Optional) Add a touch of color and flavor by letting freshly chopped parsley rain down over the beans.
10. Warm it up and serve it as a side dish, or pair it with a preferred main course. You can eat it! Enjoying is permitted!
Speckbohnen Recipe Equipment Needed
1. Big pot
2. Frying pan or skillet
3. Measuring spoons
4. Wooden spoon or spatula
5. Cutting board
6. Sharp knife
7. Colander
8. Serving dish
9. Optional: Herb knife or kitchen scissors (for chopping parsley)
FAQ
- Can I use frozen green beans instead of fresh?Indeed, frozen green beans can be used. Just ensure they are thawed and patted dry before the cooking begins.
- What can I use instead of speck?If you can’t get speck, you can use either bacon or pancetta in its place, for all intents and purposes. You will get a similar flavor in a dish when you use one of those substitutes.
- How do I prevent the beans from becoming too soft?To keep the beans crisp-tender, boil them for a few minutes, then plunge them into an ice bath. Sauté them after that, and you will achieve the incredibly satisfying result of perfectly crisp-tender beans.
- Can I make this dish vegetarian?Indeed, just leave out the speck and incorporate a smoked paprika pinch for a hint of smokiness.
- How should I store leftovers?Leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator. You can keep them for up to 3 days, but no longer. After that, it is best to freeze or throw out the food. If you refrigerate your leftovers, make sure they are in a container that seals tightly. And know that you can reheat those leftovers and serve them again with no loss of flavor or culinary magic.
- What can I serve with Speckbohnen?Speckbohnen goes well with roasted meats, grilled sausages, or is a side dish of farcical proportions next to a hearty stew.
- Is it necessary to use both butter and olive oil?You can prefer to use just one, but using both adds depth of flavor.
Speckbohnen Recipe Substitutions and Variations
Speck (or bacon): You can replace it with pancetta, prosciutto, or turkey bacon for a lighter option.
Margarine or a plant-based butter can be used for a dairy-free alternative to butter.
Substitute olive oil with vegetable oil or avocado oil.
Fresh parsley: Swap out fresh cilantro or chives for a different flavor.
Pro Tips
1. Blanch and Shock the Beans: After boiling, immediately plunge the green beans into an ice water bath for a minute or two. This process, known as “shocking,” will help retain their vibrant green color and prevent overcooking.
2. Render the Fat: For extra flavor, slowly cook the speck or bacon over low heat initially to render the fat before turning the heat up to crisp it. This will infuse more flavor into the dish.
3. Flavor Enhancement: Add a splash of lemon juice or a sprinkle of zest at the end to brighten the flavors and complement the richness of the speck and butter.
4. Onion Variations: Consider caramelizing the onions longer for a sweeter, deeper flavor contrast with the salty speck. This can be achieved by cooking them on low heat, stirring occasionally until they turn golden brown.
5. Herb Infusion: If using parsley, consider mixing it in while the beans are still warm to release more of its aromatic oils into the dish, enhancing the herb’s presence.
Speckbohnen Recipe
My favorite Speckbohnen Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Big pot
2. Frying pan or skillet
3. Measuring spoons
4. Wooden spoon or spatula
5. Cutting board
6. Sharp knife
7. Colander
8. Serving dish
9. Optional: Herb knife or kitchen scissors (for chopping parsley)
Ingredients:
- 500g green beans, trimmed
- 200g speck (or bacon), diced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Fill a big pot with water, salt it, and bring the whole thing to a rolling boil. Plunge the green beans into the pot and let them bob around for 5 to 7 minutes, until they’re tender but still a little crisp. Drain the beans and set them aside.
2. In a big frying pan, warm the olive oil and butter over medium heat until the butter becomes liquid.
3. Place the diced speck (or bacon) in the skillet and sauté until it is crisp and golden brown.
4. Place the minced onion into the pan with the speck and cook it over medium heat until it is translucent and soft. You should achieve this in about 3-4 minutes. If you like, you can cover the pan to hasten the process.
5. Add the green beans that have been drained to the skillet, and toss them to mix with the speck and the onions.
6. Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, stirring well to distribute the seasoning evenly.
7. Continue cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes to let the flavors combine and the beans become hot throughout.
8. Take the Speckbohnen off the heat and put them in a serving dish.
9. (Optional) Add a touch of color and flavor by letting freshly chopped parsley rain down over the beans.
10. Warm it up and serve it as a side dish, or pair it with a preferred main course. You can eat it! Enjoying is permitted!
