Pears, Green Beans and Bacon
(Birnen, Bohnen und Speck)

1 lb. green beans, trimmed and broken into pieces
6 firm ripe pears, peeled, cored and sliced
1/2 cup water
1 thin sliver lemon peel
1 tsp. salt
6 slices bacon
1/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp. white vinegar
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

Place the pear slices in a sauce pan with the water and lemon peel. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Then stir in the green beans and salt and continue cooking.

Meanwhile, fry the bacon in a skillet. When the bacon is crisp, remove it to a paper towel to drain. Pour off all but about 2 tablespoons of the fat remaining in the skillet. Add the sugar, vinegar and lemon juice to the bacon fat in the pan. Simmer for 3 minutes. Pour this sauce over the pears and beans and cook until tender. Crumble the bacon and add it to the beans just before serving.

Serves 4

Cook's Tip: As you can see from the picture above by the time I got to making this recipe the pears had gone somewhat soft. However, it was still delicious! Next time I'll buy, and use the pears on the same day, or with a day or two.