Green Bean Casserole

Green beans are a type of fruit in the bean family. They do best in climates where it stays warm. It grows on a vine close to the ground about 3-10 feet tall. It worked well to bake, boil, and grill. For this recipe it will be boiled and baked. 

Equipment needed

• Large Skillet

• Stove

• 9x13 inch casserole dish

• oven

• spoon

Ingredients

2 pounds fresh green beans rinsed and ends trimmed, then chopped in half

2 Tablespoons butter

1 small onion chopped

2 garlic cloves minced

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup half-and-half

1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs

6 ounces french fried onions


Instructions


1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Heat a large pot of salted water to a boil. I aim for about 1 1/2 tablespoons of salt in a gallon of water, but usually just eyeball it. Prepare a large bowl with an ice bath for blanching the beans.


2. Blanch the beans by adding them to the boiling water and cooking for 5 minutes. Then drain in a colander and immediately plunge the beans into a large bowl of ice water. This will stop the cooking process so the beans don't turn mushy. Drain and set aside.


3. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic, sauteing for 4 to 5 minutes until the onions start to soften. Add the mushrooms, if using (see note), salt and pepper and cook another 1 to 2 minutes.


4. Sprinkle the flour over the softened onions and stir to combine. Cook for 2 minutes, then whisk in the chicken broth to make sure there are no lumps, then the half and half. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until it has thickened, stirring occasionally, about 6 minutes.


5. Pour the sauce over the beans and stir to combine, then transfer to a large 9x13-inch casserole dish and sprinkle with the breadcrumbs and french fried onions.


6. Bake for 20 minutes until hot and bubbly. Cover the dish with foil if the onions start to brown too quickly.


Nash, Author: Amy, et al. “Fresh Green Bean Casserole (with Video!).” House of Nash Eats, 6 Oct. 2021, https://houseofnasheats.com/fresh-green-bean-casserole/.