Andy's Sweet and Smoky Green Beans

Molly, the kids, and I were over at Andy's last evening for some dinner and to meet up with Mom and Dad. Of course I wanted to see where the maple candy incident had taken place so he gave me a tour of his kitchen...see photo above (see his Maple Candy Blogpost for full details). Its not as bad as it looks, because now it gives all of his recipes a sweet, smoky taste. Spanish tortilla, sardines, homemade pepperoni, and fresh green beans were on the menu. As we were snacking in anticipation of our parents, I found the green beans oddly delicious.

"Andy, what's in the green beans?"

"Salt and butter!"

"No sugar?"

"Nope, just beans, salt, and butter."

"Seriously? Nothing else? They're really good!"

I thought for a while and wondered why my best friend and brother would not share, what seemingly, was a simple recipe. After a few more tastes, I was able to use the Johnson palatte to pull out the special ingredients. Hidden between the sweet, fresh, green, and smoky of the beans was the faintness of crystallized maple candy. This oversight of the dishwasher allowed for a small amount of the crystallized maple candy to remain in the small crevice around the edge of the pan. The beans absorbed the sweet, smoky goodness and made for a wonderful side dish.