Postings from Germany

Bohnen, Birnen und Speck

In English: Beans, Pears and Bacon. Somehow it's more musical in German (if you can imagine German as musical). I thought I'd written about this before, but a search didn't find anything, so I guess this is new.

We do this meal once a year and invite Werner's mother to join us - it's a reminder of old times and she loves it! It's a very traditional, down-home, country meal known here in north Germany but totally foreign in south Germany. (Sounds like grits!) This time of year there is an abundance of fresh pears and fresh green beans, so naturally folks try to find a way to put them together. Of course, there's always bacon hanging around.

This is my favorite combination of tastes: sweet, salty and smokey. If you want to try it yourself, here's the recipe:

Bohnen, Birnen und Speck 4 servings

1 pound cured bacon in slab
1 1/4 pound green beans
1 1/4 pound potatoes
8 small pears (Bergamotte if you can find them, otherwise small and firm)

1 bunch parsley
salt and pepper

Boil the bacon in water for at least an hour. Wash the beans. Peel the potatoes. Cut the blossom end from the pear. Put them all in the pot and cook for 17 minutes. Remove the bacon and slice. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with mustard if you like. (Germans like mustard with meat it seems)

It can't be easier. We cook the potatoes separately since it makes the pot a bit crowded.

Mutti and I decided that this was the best ever. We don't know why, but it was. The pears were just done, the beans were bright green and tasty, the bacon was smokey and yummy. Mutti has to be careful with her cholesterol (don't we all?) but she had her share of this.

Afterwards, we took a walk along the river and then had some coffee and cake. What a nice day.