Another recipe with green beans. I haven’t posted a Biba Caggiano recipe in a while; she’s my favorite Italian cookbook author from the time before I could read Italian cookbooks myself. This is perfect for the summer and excellent to bring to a picnic or potluck — just bring the dressing separately in a jar with a lid, so you can shake it to emulsify it before serving.
Ingredients
500 grams (1.1 lbs) green beans
500 grams (1.1 lbs) waxy potatoes
100 grams (3.5 oz) pancetta, in thick narrow strips (what the French call lardons) or diced
1 Tbsp olive oil
For the dressing
5 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp mustard
salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Trim the ends off the green beans, and cut them in half. Steam them until they are tender but still firm to the bite. The time will depend on their thickness, 5 to 10 minutes.
Peel the potatoes and cut into bite size chunks. Steam the potatoes until they are tender, about 15 minutes.
Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan. Add the pancetta and cook over medium heat…
…until the pancetta is golden and crispy, but not too crispy.
Drain the rendered fat using a sieve and reserve it for another use.
Combine the ingredients for the dressing in a bowl…
…and whisk to emulsify. You could also use a jar with a lid and simply shake it, which is great for dressing the salad later. Taste and add salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
Combine the green beans, potatoes, and pancetta in a large bowl.
Add the dressing only right before serving.
Toss until everything is coated with the dressing.
Flashback
Next to paella, tortilla española or tortilla de patatas is one of the most famous national dishes of Spain. It can be found on restaurant menus, but it is also served as tapas. Patatas means potatoes, and that about sums it up: this is a type of omelette (similar to an Italian frittata) filled with potatoes.
Stefan's Gourmet Blog 
Hi Stefan … I see your site now supports ads. What did you need to do to do this? Just curious ….
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Hi John, you’re not supposed to see the ads if you are logged on as a WordPress user. But anyway, there are three possibilities.
1) you are on a free WordPress plan. Ads will be there, but you don’t get any money for that
2) you are on a personal WordPress plan. No ads.
3) You are on a premium, business or e-commerce plan. Now you get money for the ads. I am on premium.
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Detto in inglese sembra tutta un’altra cosa 😉
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Interesting about Sybaritica’s question and your answer: I am not on any WordPress plan tho’ seem to be a member – and I get ALL the ads . . . do not like a’tall but understand that is necessary to reach people I enjoy ! As I am not fond of beans nor potatoes this may not be my most appreciated recipe . . . should use more of both and do like your mode of preparation :_ !
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Well it’s a setting so each blog can decide. You are a registered WordPress user, and I made that setting so you shouldn’t see the ads. Do you see ads on my blog anyway?
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Stefan – I did this morning, but do not now ! Beautiful guy – I am not a spoilt brat . . . if there is income in it for you , I’ll happily have them ! Hope you and Kees have a relaxing Sunday !!!
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I make this salad pretty often, only I steam also carrots and instead of bacon a use Italian tuna in olive oil… I bet it’s great even with bacon…
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With tuna you’re moving towards salade Niçoise (add olives, eggs, tomato).
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You are right Stefan! In Liguria they call it Insalata Nizzarda. There is also another version with pan fried chicken which is delicious as well, but I don’t know if it has a specific name… maybe you do…
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Looks fabulous. 👁👁🍃
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Made this tonight with green Roma beans from the garden and regular smoked North American bacon instead of pancetta. It was fabulous! My spouse said it was even better than the heirloom tomato and basil salad that we also had, which is high praise indeed. This is staying on regular rotation for late summer.
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That’s great! Thanks for letting me know.
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Un classico dell’estate fin da quando ero piccola. Però senza pancetta.
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