Green Beans with Bacon and Cocktail Onions

We are so excited to be participating in the Mezzetta Memories Holiday Giveaway. “Holiday Memories” is such a fun giveaway theme. As I’ve said in probably every holiday post I’ve ever written, I love the holiday season! I also love that I am able to experience and create a whole new set of holiday memories with my daughter. We are thick in the middle of Santa and Elf on the Shelf at our house. My daughter is SO into it! I secretly ask myself some times if she’s just pulling my leg. Can she really be that gullible?

I have a love/hate relationship with Joe, our Elf on the Shelf. I mean, as a parent, I love the idea. It’s a great “good behavior” incentive. But, having to remember to move the little sucker each night is exhausting! I know 100% of parents who are partaking is this tradition understand  my pain. The Elf of the Shelf has become a huge deal. Try going to Pinterest and searching Elf of the Shelf. I feel a lot of pressure to help Joe engage is fun and sometimes mischievous activities. We were so boring with it last year. But, each morning my daughter would wake up and immediately go Elf hunting.

This week, I finally broke our my creative Elf of the Shelf juices. I used some wire and propped Joe up on a mini Christmas ornament of an old fashioned bicycle. My kid LOVED it. The next night, I completely forgot to move him. Can you believe that? She was so disappointed. We’ve told her that when Joe doesnt’ move, it means he didn’t have anything good to go report to Santa. I feel a small glimmer of guilt for this little fib, but hey, if it helps her behave, then I’m going to go with it. As parents, we  have to do what we have to do, right?

Anyway, back to the green beans. I was pleasantly surprised at how the Mezzetta Cocktail Onions created a yummy flavor in this recipe. The pickled, vinegary tart-ness really make this a delicious side dish. In fact, I am considering adding this to my side dish to-do list for this year’s holiday feast. It’s really simple and fast. Plus, it has bacon, which makes everything good. It’s also Paleo/Whole30 so if you have any family members who are following either of those, they can eat it!

If you’re considering this recipe, definitely hit up the Mezzetta page and grab the coupon.  While you’re there, don’t forget to enter the 31 Days of Giveaways content. Each day Mezzetta is giving away a holiday gift basket, filled with yummy Mezzetta products, and even a few other fun items, like aprons, olive spoons and more. You can enter every day if you want! The contest ends on December 31. So, dont miss out. Click here to enter. 

Local Ingredient: JQ Dickinson Salt Works Salt