Green Beans with Balsamic Onions, Bacon and Goat Cheese

I'll admit, I've felt a bit sorry for the side dish.  Always, the supporter, never the star.  

But times are changing, and more and more people are ditching the idea that meat has to take up the majority of the dinner plate. Not just for health reasons, but also to help save money. Now, don't get me wrong... this side dish nicely compliments ham, chicken and especially steak. But, some days, I simply like a big serving of this green loveliness on a plate... for dinner, or lunch. And in this case, the side dish takes center stage.

I created this green bean dish years ago, and it's still a favorite. Simple to make, any time of the year. This dish offers all the right elements... crispness from the bacon, a balsamic sweetness from the red onions, and a creaminess as the goat cheese starts to melt its way in. A perfect way to get you or your kids to "eat your veggies." And the best part? This week, just about all of the ingredients were on sale, including Boar's Head Bacon. Which, in my opinion, is a star all on its own.

This dish is delicious warm, but I often enjoy it cold the next day, as well. And at just .63 cents a serving as a side dish, or just $1.26 as a main dish, these green beans deserve a standing ovation.

Green Beans with Balsamic Onions, Bacon and Goat Cheese

1 lb. green beans
4 slices bacon
1/2 red onion, sliced thin
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup goat cheese, crumbled
Olive oil
Salt

For the onions: Spread out the cut up onions in a glass dish (I use a pie pan) sprayed with non-stick spray. Pour over the balsamic vinegar and drizzle with a bit of olive oil. Salt, to taste, and bake at 350 for about 25 minutes, or until the onions are caramelized. Set aside.

For the beans: Wash and trim the beans. Then blanch them in salted, boiling water for 4 minutes, until crisp-tender. Drain them in a colander and run under cold water to stop the cooking process and retain the green color.

While the beans are cooking, cook the bacon (I microwave mine) until crisp. And once cool, cut into pieces. Then, in a large bowl, add the beans, the balsamic onions and the bacon and mix. Salt and pepper to taste, and sprinkle the goat cheese over all. Serve.

Serves 6
Cost per serving: .63 cents

*Note: all costs are approximate due to regional sale prices, amounts needed just for this specific recipe, and ingredients on hand. This recipe was created to utilize sale ingredients listed for the current week in Raleigh, NC stores.