Fresh Green Bean Casserole
This recipe for green bean casserole is similar to the traditional green bean casserole, but it is made with fresh green beans, fresh mushrooms and no cream soup. This fresh green bean casserole has a luxuriously rich cream sauce and is topped off with crispy onion strips. Look for crispy onions (Fresh Gourmet is one brand) in the produce section. If you can't find them, use French fried onions.Ingredients:
- 1 lb. fresh green beans, washed and trimmed
- 4 Tbsp. butter, divided
- 8 oz. mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- kosher salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk, half and half, or cream
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup crispy onion strips (such as Fresh Gourmet)
Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 1-1/2 quart baking dish with cooking spray.
- Place green beans in a gallon-size resealable plastic bag. Poke a few holes in the bag to allow steam to escape. Heat in the microwave on full power for 3-5 minutes until beans are tender, but still a bit crisp. Pour into prepared pan.
- Heat two tablespoons of the butter in a small frying pan. Add mushrooms, garlic, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid from the mushrooms has evaporated. Pour over green beans. Toss.
- Heat remaining two tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour. Cook 1-2 minutes until flour starts to turn golden.
- Slowly add milk or cream. Stirring constantly, cook until mixture starts to bubble and thicken. Add salt, pepper, Dijon mustard and Parmesan cheese. Pour over mushrooms and green beans.
- Bake 15-20 minutes until bubbly. Sprinkle crispy onions on top. Bake another 5 minutes.
- Let green bean casserole rest 5-10 minutes before serving.
Makes 4 servings.
