Garlic and Bacon Green Beans- Metro Style

After spending a week in the provincial town of Svay Rieng which has a rather limited repertoire when it comes to meals and restaurants. I returned to Phnom Penh craving a really good meal. Cue lunch at Cafe Metro. The first thing I ordered was a great frozen drink with raspberries and orange sherbet because if there is anything you always need in Cambodia it is a cold drink. And then I spotted this gem on the small plates menu… garlic and bacon green beans-- they were the best green beans ever. I also had some amazing Australian beef sliders. So I came home determined to make my own metro style green beans.  (yes, I love recipes with a story)

Here’s how it goes…

1 1/2 lbs. of fresh green beans, washed and trimmed. Steam them until tender.

Meanwhile, cut 2-3 strips of bacon into small pieces. Cook it over medium heat in a medium sized skillet. When bacon is mostly cooked but still soft, add 7 cloves of freshly chopped garlic, and sauté  together for about 2 minutes. Add the green beans and toss them together with bacon and garlic. Season with black & white pepper and coarse kosher salt.

Future additions some pinenuts or almonds.

Not a bean remains in the house…