Spicy maple bacon green beans

Chef Paul Mon-Kau of The District Restaurant Group shares his recipe for spicy maple bacon green beans.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 shallot diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/3 cup lightly candied walnuts (cook in tablespoon butter and teaspoon sugar for about 4 to 5 minutes)
• 8 slices bacon, chopped

DRIZZLE

• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons grainy mustard
• 2 teaspoons balsamic reduction
• Salt and pepper

PREPARATION

• In a small bowl, mix together the drizzle ingredients
• Blanch green beans in a large stock pot of salted boiling water for 2 minutes
• Drain and transfer beans to a large bowl of ice water to stop them from cooking
• Melt butter over medium heat in a large skillet
• Add shallots, garlic and red pepper flakes and saute for 1 minute.
• Add beans and drizzle and continue to saute until beans are evenly coated in the sauce and beans and cooked to desired crisp/tenderness.
 Add walnuts and bacon