Greasy Beans

 Greasy beans as opposed to steamed beans, is just an old southern method of cooking seasoned greens. Believe it or not, the old cooks did a lot of frying, boiling and stewing. Steaming just wasn't a common stove cooking method. So to fry, boil or stew there had to be some incorporation of flavor. In comes the fat for seasoning. There doesn't have to be a whole lot, just a little can go a long way.

3 lbs fresh green beans (I use whole fresh frozen)
6 slices bacon (or ½ cup bacon drippings, or a ham bone)
2 med. Onions, quartered
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp pepper
¼ cup brown sugar

Wash, string and snap beans into pieces. Place in a large pot with water to cover. Add rest of ingredients, dicing the bacon. Cook at least 3 to 4 hours. The longer they cook, the better they taste.

Serves about 8 folks. Double recipe for folks with large appetites.

This can also be made in a slow cooker.

If you don't want the pork, try using smoked turkey instead.