Easy Veggies with Style

Author Leigh Daley and I were talking last week about cooking. I mentioned how tired I was of the same old green beans and Leigh shared her recipe. Of course, I had to try her recipe. This is absolutely delicious! Now I'll turn the blog over to Leigh so she can tell you what all is involved.

This is one of those cook by feel recipes, but every time I make it the entire family is in raptures. When time is short I easily turn the creamy green beans into a complete meal, directions are, and my family loves that version, too.

Creamy Green Beans
Fresh green beans, cleaned and snapped
1 pkg pancetta, thick bacon, or ham seasoning pieces, chopped
3-5 shallots, thinly sliced
Garlic minced extra fine to taste
Pine nuts
8 oz. package of cream cheese or goat cheese or mix
White wine
Coconut oil

Melt about two tablespoons of coconut oil in a large deep skillet. Fry up the pancetta, bacon, or ham pieces for a few minutes until they start to crisp. Remove them to drain on a paper towel. If you prefer crunchier, keep the pieces in the pan and continue.

Toss the pine nuts in to toast and remove to the paper towel.

Fry the shallots in the drippings until they start to turn. Add garlic and green beans. Sauté until the beans are as tenderness you prefer. I generally put the lid on the skillet and let them steam/fry, stirring them often. I like my green beans fairly tender, so that part takes about 15 minutes.

Once the green beans are tender, toss in the cream cheese/goat cheese and melt it into the beans. A splash of white wine at this point is a very good thing. Top with the crunchy pine nuts and pancetta/bacon/ham.

If you eat pasta, some cooked penne is a wonderful thing to add to this. I’ve also added in some sautéed chicken breast as well and Voila! I have a complete dinner.

Season with salt, pepper, and garlic salt as needed. And definitely enjoy!

Here's a little from my latest book to satisfy another of your senses,

Their careers drove them apart--could disaster bring them back together?

BLURB:
In the aftermath of a series of tornadoes, Kyle Mathis just wants to guide his linemen to restore power to the devastated town of Milton. When reinforcements in the form of corporate deskjockeys come to work storm duty, he's glad for the extra bodies to help serve food and support the crews working eighteen hour days.

But Kyle is not prepared to face one of the latest arrivals, his ex-wife Jenna. Jenna left him years ago, choosing her career over their marriage. However, being back together in their home town brings back memories and desire--for both Kyle and Jenna.

Can Kyle and Jenna find each other again in the midst of the devastation? Or will their jobs pull them apart and leave not only their homes but their hearts shattered?

To read an excerpt from Storm Duty, please click HERE.

Leigh Daley lives with her husband and kids in the wilds of West Alabama along with her dogs Bruno and Jack. Now on her fourth career, she has spent most of her life writing for other people, but these days she is writing for herself. She eats like a cavewoman, posts crazy fanfic as Arcole, and tries to meet her creative needs by writing romance as Leigh Daley and fantasy as Arley Cole. She’s a really big fan of happily ever after.

Learn more about Leigh Daley on her blog. Stay connected on Facebook.

I'll be back Monday. Until then...

Happy Eating!

Sloane