Company Green Beans

1 lb French beans

1 medium sweet onion

½ lb thick sliced bacon*

1 Tbsp butter

2 tsp apple cider vinegar

2 tsp brown sugar

salt and pepper to taste

Rinse the beans and trim the stem ends. (French beans are often sold pre-trimmed, so you may be able to skip this step.)

Fill a large bowl halfway with ice, then add enough cold water to cover; set aside.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil; add beans and cook 5 minutes, or until just starting to become tender (should still be bright green and crisp).

Drain beans immediately and plunge them into the ice bath to stop the cooking. After a couple of minutes, drain again and set aside.

Cut the onion in half, then into ¼-inch slices. Cut slices into thirds and separate layers, setting small interior pieces aside for another use.

Cut bacon crosswise into strips (kitchen shears are perfect for this job), and place in a cold skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently until crisp; remove bacon and set aside, reserving bacon grease.

Transfer 2 Tbsp of the bacon grease* to a large sauté pan and add onion strips, cooking over medium heat until just tender.

Add beans and the butter, sugar, salt, and pepper; sauté, stirring constantly, until beans are warmed through.

Remove from heat, add apple cider vinegar and bacon*, tossing to combine. Serve immediately.

* If you have vegetarian guests, use olive oil in place of the bacon grease, and serve the bacon on the side.