I got this one from my late Grandma Dora, she was one heck of a good cook. She always called me to come up to her place when she was baking bread, making cookies or making date bars (they were to die for). We would sit together and eat fresh, hot scratch made bread, coated with melted butter. We each took a heel! We talked for hours over her treats. I always loved her green beans, sometimes she'd make a pot with garden fresh beans and we'd sit and eat the whole thing all at one sitting!
1 - Can cut green beans
1/2 - Cup real bacon bits
1/2 - Cup diced or sliced onion
2 - Teaspoons minced Garlic (more if you like, I like 6 good sized cloves)
2 - Tablespoons of butter
Salt and pepper to taste, I use a touch of sea salt and fresh ground pepper.
1 - Cup water
Options that make life interesting....
Italian Seasonings such as Oregano and Basil. A touch of Cumin and pablano pepper (or jalapeņo if you like hot stuff). Mushrooms, any kind really, but out here everything is better with Chantrelles! A chicken bouillon cube is also good, though you need to back off the salt if you use cubes.
Put all ingredients in a medium sauce pan, brig to a boil, then simmer for an hour or two, add a little more as needed during cooking for your desired "thickness".
I like to let a large batch with fresh picked beans (adjusted for two or three pounds of beens and fresh bacon) cook most of a day. Then cool over night and re-heat to serve.