Thanksgiving time!!!

I love Thanksgiving, probably because I love to cook and eat! I decided to post a couple of recipes that are not only exceptionally good, but very easy to prepare. Green beans are one of my favorite vegetables and are a tradition at thanksgiving, but I always hated the standard green bean casserole. This recipe is easier than a casserole and doesn't take up any oven space when you are preparing the big meal. Another time saver is that you can boil the beans the day before and store them in the refrigerator in a zip lock bag.

Green Beans with Bacon and Shallots:

Ingredients
1 pound green beans, trimmed as desired
5 slices of bacon, thinly sliced crosswise
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
2 large shallots, chopped

Directions
Cook beans in boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Drain. Rinse under cold water and drain well. Pat dry with paper towels.
Cook bacon until crisp. Drain and discard all but three tablespoons of bacon fat. Add butter and shallots and saute until tender, about 4 minutes. Add beans and saute until heated through, about 5 minutes. Add bacon and toss to blend. Season with salt and pepper.


Want a simple tasty dessert? If you are a banana lover this is the perfect dessert for you and your guests.

Grilled Bananas with Spiced Butter and Rum

4 Tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons dark rum
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
4 ripe bananas

Melt butter in a sauce pan. Add brown sugar, rum and cinnamon and bring to a boil, stirring. Boil until syrupy, 2 or 3 minutes.
Slice each banana lengthwise, leaving the skin on. Brush both sides with the spiced butter.
On a grill, grill pan or frying pan place bananas CUT SIDE DOWN and cook until caramelized, about 4 minutes. Turn the bananas over and grill skin side down for another 3 or 4 minutes. Baste the top with spice butter and serve.