I hate following recipes exactly. It’s why I’m generally not a good baker. Anything that has to be accurate within an eighth of a teaspoon is too fiddly for me.
My wife, on the other hand, is a great baker. She’ll start from a recipe, then adjust every time she makes it until she has it perfected. Then that’s the exact recipe she’ll make each time.
So I’m always pleasantly surprised when she goes completely off the map, like she did with this dish. It was a classic example of, “Now let’s see, what do I have in the pantry?” And it was delicious. Only problem is … we don’t know what to call it. If you have a good idea, post a comment below.
(By the way, there are no photos of the process, because this was already made by the time I got home from work.)
Ingredients
potatoes
green beans
bacon
cheddar cheese
bacon fat (yes, extra bacon fat)
kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
Directions
We’ve got no idea exactly how much of each ingredient went in, and only a rough idea as to the proportions. I don’t think it’s probably that important, though.
Start by slicing the potatoes — one for each person you’re feeding — about a quarter-inch thick. Fry them in several tablespoons of bacon fat over medium heat, turning occasionally. While they’re going, dice the bacon and start that going in a separate pan also over medium heat.
When the bacon is done, scoop it out to drain but leave the drippings in the pan. Add to the bacon pan the green beans, fresh or — like you see here — frozen shredded style. Add a little salt and pepper and cook until the beans are warmed through but not yet turning brown.
By now the potatoes should be done. Add the green beans and bacon to the pan and toss to combine. If the skillet you cooked in is not oven safe, transfer everything to an oven safe serving dish. Top with several handfuls of shredded cheddar and place the serving dish — or skillet — under the broiler for a minute or two, until the cheese is melted.
And that’s it.
This makes a great side to a hearty dinner, or can make a breakfast or lunch all to itself.
Like I said up top, we need a name for this dish. It’s a little awkward asking for, “That thing you made that time with the potatoes and beans and cheese and bacon.” If there weren’t already a dish called “green bean casserole” I might think that would be pretty close, but that name’s taken already.
20 Comments
The tater-licious cheesy bean casserole.
Potato & green bean hash?
Looks tasty!
Considering that we call our non- bean version “Cheesy Potatoes” I have to suggest “Cheesy Potatoes and Beans” In our house we like simple cooking and simple names. LOL
But Chia, that name is just so … cheesy.
I know … I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist.
No, that’s not true. I could resist, I just chose not to.
B, tater-licious? Really? Are we in third grade today? I kid! I kid because I love.
April, I like the hash idea. Think I’ll play with that idea a bit. In fact, since “corned beef hash” doesn’t mention the potatoes, I think I can call this green bean hash. I’ll run that by my wife, see what she thinks. It’s her recipe, so she gets the final (only) vote.
In retrospect I guess using potato AND hash in the title would be redundant! I’ve had too much coffee today and my brain is set to “twitch”!
Cheesy-licious green bean hash, perhaps? LOL
Yeah, bacon and green bean hash. Or haricot et lardon hash. LOL I don’t know hash in French.
Haricot et lardon confit (because apparently you used a crock full of bacon fat lol)
It’s true, you can make anything sound good in French. “Haricot et lardon confit.” That’s what I’ll call it when I do this recipe on TV. If the name is French, it’s okay to use bacon fat.
Hi Drew,
Clueless about what to call your dish. ?? Cheddar Potato and Green Veggie Surprise. Or Bacon Flavored Cheddar-Veggie-Potato-So Yummy Good, You’ll Love This. (BTW, try saying cheddar-veggie 10 times fast!)
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Gloria
It’s a “skillet” dish, nothing fancy going on here…
Gloria, that’s better than “that thing with potatoes”? Yeah, I know I asked for it.
Jehan, you’re right, I don’t do fancy, thanks for noticing.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m seriously considering calling that “Tonight’s Supper!” Man that looks G-O-O-D!
How about “Bacon Cheese Scramble”
Trixie, that’s a good name, but not terribly useful if you don’t already know what you’re having.
Topher, that sounds like it should have eggs. Which sounds like a good addition to this to make it a complete breakfast.
Mean Green Bean Hash
How ’bout Irish Bacon Hash.
Potatoes and “Green” beans are Irish. Of course, you have the “world’s most perfect food”-bacon. The “hash” is mostly because the phrase “tosstogetherandcoverwithcheese” is just much too much.
Green Beans au Gratin
Bacon Fried Beans and Potatoes.
Wow! is that southern dish or what? I think your mind must have been in Memphis when you made up that one.
I can’t take credit for this one. It’s all my wife this time.
So I think now it’s “Mean bean hash au gratin”?
Down Home Goulash? We’re having it this week and that’s what I called it on my meal plan =)
Megan, I’m so jealous you live near Polyface.