GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

Maple Dijon Green Beans with Bacon, Candied Pecans and Goat Cheese
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Servings: 6
Green beans tossed in a tasty maple-dijon sauce and topped with crispy bacon, crunchy candied pecans and creamy goat cheese!

ingredients
* 1 1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed
* 4 strips bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
* 1 small onions, diced
* 2 cloves garlic, chopped
* 2 tablespoons maple syrup
* 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
* 1 tablespoon grainy mustard
* 2 teaspoons white miso paste (optional)
* 2 teaspoons soy sauce (or tamari)
* 2 teaspoons rice vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
* 1/4 cup candied pecans (see below)
* 1/4 cup goat cheese (or feta) crumbled
directions
1. Blanch the green beans by simmering them in water or steaming them until bright green and just tender/crisp, and drain.
2. Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a pan over medium heat until crispy and set aside on paper towels to drain.
3. Add the onion to the pan and cook in the bacon grease until tender, about 5-7 minutes, before adding the garlic and cooking until fragrant, about a minute.
4. Add the green beans and the mixture of the maple syrup, mustards, miso paste, soy sauce and vinegar and toss to coat.
5. Serve the green beans topped with the crumbled bacon, pecans and cheese.

Option: Omit bacon and use 1 tablespoon oil to cook the onions in step 2.
Option: Add sriracha to the maple dijon

Candied Pecans
Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 5 minutes Cool Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes Servings: 44 (1 cup or 4 1/4 cup servings)
Toasted pecans coated in crispy sweet candy coating!

ingredients
* 1 cup pecans, chopped
* 1 tablespoon butter
* 1/4 cup sugar
directions
1. Cook everything in a no-stick pan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar has melted and coated the nut and then cook for 4 minutes more.
2. Place on parchment paper or a baking sheet, separate with forks and let cool for 5-10 minutes.

Option: Add salt!
Option: Add spices like cinnamon or chili powder!