Green Bean Casserole
written by TimUT78. Last Updated 4/11/07 21:49 [American]

Here's a classy twist on a good ol' American favorite. Just a bit warning, it requires a bit of prep work. However, the time spent is well worth it in the end. This is also one of those dishes that taste better the next day.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 of unsalted butter
2 tbsp all purpose flour
2 lbs of fresh green beans, cleaned and cut into 1in pieces
1 quart of heavy cream (or milk)
1 whole yellow onion sliced
1 whole yellow onion diced finely
1/2 lb of sliced mushrooms (baby portebellos are best)
olive oil
salt
pepper

DIRECTIONS

Mushroom Soup
1. Add a tablespoon of oil and diced onions to a heated stock pot. Sautee until onions are translucent. Salt and pepper.
2. Add mushrooms. Cook until mushrooms are soft.
3. Remove mushrooms and onions from pot and place aside. Leave the remaining juices in the pot.
4. Add to the pot a half stick of butter with two tablespoons of flour to create a roux.
5. Slowly add a quart of heavy cream while constantly stirring to avoid lumps. Do this over a medium low heat. This should result in a thick soup.
6. Add onions and mushrooms back into the pot. Bring the soup to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes to let all the juices mix together. Stir occasionally.
7. Salt and pepper to taste.

Carmelized Onions
1. Add a tsp of oil to a heated pan.
2. Sautee sliced onions over low heat until carmelized. Salt and pepper.
3. Stir occasionally.

Green Beans
1. Boil water in a pot. Add plenty of salt to season the water.
2. Add cut green beans. Cook until green beans are tender.

Casserole
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Grease a large casserole dish.
3. Add cooked green beans. Distribute evenly. Leave about an inch deep of space from the top of the green beans to the top of the casserole dish.
4. Pour mushroom soup on top so that it is level with the green beans. Stir a bit to distribute the mushrooms and onions between the green beans.
5. Baked covered for 45 minutes.
6. Remove cover and bake uncovered for another 15 minutes. You could try broiling it for a few minutes until the top turns brown.
7. Serve piping hot.