Fresh, Flavorful Green Beans

In rememberance of my Grandmother, who's birthday would have been today;  this post is dedicated to her! My Grandmother was big on fresh green beans!  One of the most versatile, tasty green vegetables there are.  You won't meet too many people that don't like green beans, and what better way to enjoy them than FRESH!  That's right, I'm going to show you how to make FRESH green beans.  I remember as a girl my Grandmother purchasing the produce plastic bags full of fresh green beans during the holidays.  My job was to tackle the mounds of fresh green beans by snapping off the ends and snapping each individual green bean in half or in thirds.  My Grandmother usually only made fresh green beans on holidays, but I'm going to show you how to make these in a manner that isn't too time consuming.  I usually make these on the weekends, but really, with enough time, about 2 hours total, you can pull this off.  Don't be scurrrrred, try making these, you will not be disappointed.  These fresh green beans will put canned ones to shame!

Fresh Green Beans

1 pound fresh green beans

3-14 ounce cans chicken broth

1/2 cup water

1/2 of a medium sized onion

1 smoked turkey tail or pork jowl meat (for flavor)

1/2 teaspoon of salt- more or less to taste

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 pinch of cayenne powder

In a medium sized pot or sauce pan empty the contents of 3 cans of chicken broth, and 1/2 cup of water.  Turn stove on medium heat, enough to create a rolling boil.  add one smoked turkey tail to the broth or 2 thick slices of pork jowl bacon.  Dice your onion and add to the broth, add cayenne, onion powder,salt and pepper to taste.  Allow the broth, onions, and meat boil for 20 minutes. In the meanwhile, take each individual green bean and snap off the very end of the tips on each end, and discard the tips.  Snap each green bean in half or in thirds until all are completely snapped in half.  Once complete, add the green beans to the boiling broth.  Allow green beans to boil for 5 minutes, then turn heat down to low, cover and allow to simmer for 1- 1 1/2 hours.  After an hour has passed, check green beans every few minutes for doneness.  Do not let them over cook and become mushy.  Please ask any questions below, or just post a comment, I would love to hear from you!