Great Green Beans

Love the texture of boiled green beans but want fresher taste? Slow cook them.

2 lbs fresh green beans

4 slices prosciutto, cut into small pieces (optional)

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1. Take the tips off the green beans and cut them diagonally into 1- or 2-inch pieces. If the beans aren’t that fresh, cut them French style (in two down the middle).

2. Put the beans in the slow cooker, add the prosciutto pieces if desired, then season with the salt and garlic powder.

3. Add water to cover the green beans completely, but do not add too much water. Cover and cook on Low for 4 to 6 hours or on High for 2 to 3 hours, until beans are tender.

Prepare French-style beans in the same way. Instead of cutting the beans into pieces once the ends are snipped off, cut them along the seam into two long, thin strips. They’ll cook the same way.