Sweet & Sour GREEN BEANS

SWEET and SOUR GREEN BEANS

Table of Contents: Vegetables

This recipe can be made in advance and frozen.  When ready to cook; allow casserole to thaw; then bake as directed.

4 (16-oz) cans whole green beans, drained
2 (8-oz.) cans sliced water chestnuts, drained
8 slices bacon (do not use Maple-flavored, etc.)
½ cup white vinegar
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 medium onions, sliced in rings & separated

Place the drained green beans in a large, flat baking dish, and top with the drained, sliced water chestnuts.

In a skillet, fry the bacon until very crisp; then remove bacon from skillet to cool.  Reserve ¼ cup bacon drippings and discard the remainder.

To the skillet with the ¼ cup reserved bacon drippings, add the vinegar and sugar. Bring this vinegar mixture to a boil, and quickly stir until sugar is dissolved.

Pour the hot vinegar mixture over the green beans and water chestnuts. Crumble the crisp bacon evenly on top; then place the separated onion rings on the very top.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Baste the green beans with the liquid; then cover with foil and bake another 30 minutes.  Serves: 10 to 12.

The first time I made this for a holiday dinner Joe’s sister, Mary, and her family were with us for dinner.  I had intended to tell Mary not to try the green bean dish, because I knew that she disliked anything sweet and sour.  In all of the usual holiday confusion, I forgot to tell her.  A while after dinner, Mary asked the name of the dish and for the recipe since she thought it was wonderful!  Go figure?

More about “The Good Old Days”
Excerpt from: WHITEHOUSE COOKBOOK, 1910, PAGE 498
In 1910, the President of the United States of America was William Howard Taft.  


THANKSGIVING DAY BREAKFAST

Grapes and Oat Flakes
Broiled Porterhouse Steak
Codfish Balls and Browned Potatoes
Buckwheat Cakes and Maple Syrup
Wheat Bread and Coffee

Just wait until I post what they had for Dinner and then Supper!  In the White House at that time, 1910, the cookbook always lists Breakfast, Dinner, and Supper on Sundays and Holidays.  The other days of the week, they list Breakfast, Luncheon, and Dinner.  I don't know why there is a difference. Perhaps someone could enlighten me?