Recipes out of the Blond Box

12 ounces thin, fresh green beans, trimmed
1 small red bell pepper, cut in strips
2 slices bacon
¼ cup chopped walnuts
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
¼ teaspoon salt

1. In a large saucepan, cook green beans with the red bell pepper in enough boiling water to cover, for 3 min. Drain and set aside.

2. The large skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon from skillet and drain on paper towels. Keep 2 tablespoons bacon fat in the pan – discard the rest. Crumble bacon and set aside.

3. Add green bean mixture, walnuts, garlic, crushed red pepper, and salt to skillet. Cook and stir, 5 min. or until beans are tender and walnuts are lightly toasted. Stir in crumbled bacon and serve.