Elevate your side dish game with Creole Green Beans featuring the bold flavors of smoky Tasso ham, perfectly complementing the crisp freshness of green beans, all expertly seasoned with a zesty Creole twist.
Creole Green Beans with Tasso
Makes 6 to 8 Servings
Ingredients
- 4 quarts water
- 1½ tablespoons plus ½ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed
- 5 strips bacon, cut crosswise into ½-inch pieces
- 1½ cups diced white onion
- ¼ cup diced tasso
- 1 cup diced red bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large stockpot, combine 4 quarts water and 1½ tablespoons salt; bring to a boil over high heat. Add green beans, and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until almost tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer green beans to an ice water bath to stop the cooking process; let cool completely. Drain, and pat dry.
- Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat; add bacon, and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown. Remove bacon using a slotted spoon, reserving drippings in skillet.
- In same skillet, cook onion and tasso over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and slightly golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add bell pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes. Add garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 minute. Add green beans, and cook, stirring frequently, until cooked through, about 5 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, Worcestershire, Cajun seasoning, pepper, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Add to onion mixture, scraping browned bits from bottom of skillet with a wooden spoon, and cook until liquid is reduced by half. Transfer green beans to a serving platter, and spoon tomato sauce on top. Top with crispy bacon. Serve hot.
