A Recipe Review - Green Beans with Apple Cider (Excellent Holiday Recipe)

Well, I have to admit when I was watching Rachael Ray cook this dish on her show a few months back, I was more than a little skeptical. I am not a fan of apple cider, and the mere thought of pairing the sweet and tangy flavor of apples with the savory flavor of green beans seemed more than a little crazy. But, the recipe reviews on the Food Network page were more than promising, so I decided to give them a try. As is customary for my cooking, I strayed from the recipe, by following some suggestion offered in the reviews, as well as adding my own touches along the way.
First of all, 3/4 C. of apple cider is just not enough for 2 bags of green beans. As was suggested by several reviewers, I used half of the container of apple cider (I bought 1/2 gallon), and rather than letting it reduce for 5 minutes, I let it reduce for 30 minutes. I then added the green beans, brought them to a boil, and then reduced the heat and let them simmer for 10 minutes, while I finished the rest of the meal. I then tossed in some almonds before serving. My daughter, as well as my husband, said they were the best green beans I had ever made.
Whether you are having ham, turkey, or pork for your holiday meal, these green beans will be the perfect side dish.
Green Beans with Apple Cider-
Rating - 4 Smiles
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/green-beans-with-apple-cider-recipe/index.html