Bleeding Espresso

17 June 2009

What’s Cooking Wednesday: Green Beans, Pancetta, and Potatoes

This week’s What’s Cooking Wednesday recipe screams summer because of the gorgeous fresh fagiolini (green beans) that star in the dish; a more hearty version of this basic combo can be found at my recipe for Pork, Green Beans, and Potatoes in Tomato Sauce.

Now, before we get started, if you think you don’t like green beans, please find some fresh ones. Trust me, they have nothing to do with canned green beans (to be honest, I’m not a huge fan of those either). As with any beans, they take a little prep work (washing, snapping off the ends, and blanching), but they are *so* worth it.

We didn’t grow our own fagiolini this year, but we will definitely give it a go next year. The beans used in this recipe, of course, are locally grown though. And if you’re curious as to what *is* going on in our garden, check out our:

Lettuce/lattuga:

Onions/cipolle:

The cucumbers and tomatoes are ripening as I type! Yay!

OK, the recipe. Traditionally instead of the pancetta, the Badolatese would use “carne salata,” spicy, salty lard particular to here; (luckily) we didn’t have any, so we substituted pancetta, and it worked great. You can use cubed ham if you’re short on pancetta.

Green Beans, Pancetta, and Potatoes
Fagiolini con pancetta e patate

• 5 tablespoons olive oil
• Half kilo (about a pound) of fresh green beans
• One medium onion, diced
• 100 grams (about 1/4 pound) of pancetta, cubed
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks or cubed (your choice)
• Salt to taste

1. Wash beans and snap (or snip) off ends.

2. Bring a pot of water to boil, then drop in beans for about 3-5 minutes until they are bright green but still rather al dente. Many say to then drop them into a waiting bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process, but I never do–they’re always fine, and I save myself another dish to wash. You just have to get used to when to take them out, that’s all.

3. Put about five tablespoons of oil in a large frying pan and heat over medium. When the oil is hot, add the onions and let saute for a couple of minutes.

4. Add pancetta to pan, again letting it saute for a couple minutes, then add potatoes and mix together.

5. The potatoes will take the longest to cook, of course, so let this mixture cook for about 15-25 minutes–depends on how large your potato chunks are.

6. Add the green beans and some salt and mix everything together. Let cook for another10 minutes or so, stirring and adding water if it gets a bit dry. The dish is ready when the potatoes and beans are cooked to your satisfaction. Be sure to adjust for salt.

7. Serve hot with bread–or eat leftover cold the next day as a salad. YUM!

Buon appetito!

P.S. The winner of Who by Fire is City Girl of City Girl Lifestyle. Congrats!

Related posts:

1. What’s Cooking Wednesday: Linguine with Shrimp and Mussels
2. What’s Cooking Wednesday: Steak and Porcini Mushrooms
3. What’s Cooking Wednesday: Stuffed Peppers
4. What’s Cooking Wednesday: Calabrian Scrambled Eggs
5. What’s Cooking Wednesday: Pasta e Lenticchie

16 beans of wisdom »

16 beans of wisdom to “What’s Cooking Wednesday: Green Beans, Pancetta, and Potatoes”

1. City Girl on 17 Jun 2009 at 12:37 pm #

   The recipe looks great. And thanks again for the book

   Thanks; be sure to let me know what you think of the book!

   City Girl´s last blog ..Blog Award

2. Susan on 17 Jun 2009 at 12:45 pm #

   Michelle this recipe looks exquisite. I love the fat Roman beans. I planted them in my new garden and when they finally grow – Im making this!
   Thanks for sharing….my family will thank you too! Ciao…

   Let me know how you like it Susan!

   Susan´s last blog ..Garden Bloggers Death Day

3. Ciaochowlinda on 17 Jun 2009 at 1:11 pm #

   Wow you’ve got some beautiful lettuce and onions growing. I love those flat Italian beans and forgot to plant some in my garden.

   We kind of forgot them too…next year or even a bumper crop this year….

   Ciaochowlinda´s last blog ..Grilled Salmon with Rhubarb Relish

4. nyc/caribbean ragazza on 17 Jun 2009 at 2:50 pm #

   I love fresh beans too.

   I’m molto jealous of your garden!

   I still can’t believe we have one–first time ever we’ve had some land with sun!

   nyc/caribbean ragazza´s last blog ..What will happen in Iran?

5. Lesley on 17 Jun 2009 at 5:15 pm #

   Looks yummy! Will have to try that recipe
   Are you still in Calabria? You can get the beans for about 2,50 a kilo at the markets (at least where I am).

6. Wanderlust Scarlett on 17 Jun 2009 at 5:52 pm #

   YUM…. that looks so GOOD!

   So… what if you opened a little cafe there in your village? You could do lunch and dinner there and write all morning… ;o)

   You have so many talents, your opportunities are almost endless!!

   By the way, you won the Wandering point yesterday! Great job! You’re tied!

   New one up later today.

   HUGS

   Scarlett & Viaggiatore

   Yay! Can’t wait for the next one…hope I’m still awake

   Wanderlust Scarlett´s last blog ..Wandering Off To India ~ Destination Three

7. Mariposa on 18 Jun 2009 at 1:18 am #

   YUM…

   I love this one…I love beans!

   Thanks!

   Mariposa´s last blog ..Ice Breaker…

8. The Italian Dish on 18 Jun 2009 at 2:03 am #

   Pancetta makes everything better! This is such a great summer dish.

   Couldn’t agree with you more on the pancetta….

   The Italian Dish´s last blog ..Chocolate Panna Cotta

9. Bren on 18 Jun 2009 at 3:49 am #

   Michelle! I’m loving the look of your lettuga! what a beauty! and when u do grow your own beans, make sure you snap more pics!

   Promise

10. mike rubbo on 18 Jun 2009 at 5:14 am #

    Mouthwatering , my dear Michelle. Mike

    Mike! How lovely to see you here Thanks for coming by!

11. Gil on 18 Jun 2009 at 7:37 am #

    Sounds delicious!

    Gil, I have a hard time not eating too much of this…the “full” button doesn’t seem to register!

12. Judith in Umbria on 19 Jun 2009 at 9:26 am #

    Yum. If you take out the pancetta (why, why?) and add some pesto and pasta, you are at the other end of the country. Amazing place, Italy.

    Mmmm pesto…….

13. Anali on 20 Jun 2009 at 3:38 am #

    Those pictures are beautiful! They are making my mouth water!

    Thanks! P just brought home some more onions and cucumbers! YUM!

14. Wendy on 21 Jun 2009 at 2:00 pm #

    Looks yummy! I am going to try this on my in-laws!!!

    Hope they enjoy it as much as mine do

15. Shan on 21 Jun 2009 at 6:29 pm #

    Looks delicious!!

    Ooh and jammie movie night sounds perfect!

    Shan´s last blog ..jammie movie night

16. Elle on 25 Jun 2009 at 5:02 am #

    I just made this for dinner and it was great – a definite new staple recipe in my repertoire!

    So glad to hear it Elle! It really is quite a simple recipe at its bare bones…and so tasty

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