Green Bean Bundles

This recipe comes from a book by Rebecca Rather titled the Pastry Queen Christmas. It is an excellent appetizer or side dish and has been a hit every time I serve it.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 lbs green beans, trimmed
• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1  teaspoon brown sugar, packed
• 2  garlic cloves, minced
• 1⁄4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 8  ounces bacon

Directions

1. Fill a large saucepan with water and bring it to a boil over high heat.
2. Wash and trim the beans.
3. Add the beans to the boiling water and blanch for 3 to 4 minutes, until the beans are pliable but still crunchy.
4. Drain the beans and run them under cold water. Pat dry with paper towels or a clean dish towel and place them in a shallow ovenproof casserole.
5. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
6. Stir in the dry mustard, brown sugar, garlic and salt.
7. Pour the butter mixture over the green beans, cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
8. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
9. Make a bundle of 8 or 9 beans, wrap half a bacon slice around each bundle, securing with a toothpick, and arrange in a single layer in the same casserole used for marinating.
10. Bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes or until the bacon is cooked and the beans look wrinkled.