Upgraded Green Bean Casserole Recipes

FRESH GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add 2 quarts water and a generous pinch of salt to a Dutch oven and bring to a boil over high heat. Meanwhile, prepare an ice bath by combining 4 cups ice and 4 cups water in a large bowl. Add the green beans to the boiling water and cook just until crisp-tender and bright green, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain the beans and immediately plunge them into the ice bath. When cool, drain again and set aside.
• Melt the butter in the Dutch oven over medium heat. When the bubbles have subsided, whisk in the flour until it is free of lumps. Cook until the mixture is slightly golden and smells of toasted nuts, about 2 minutes. Slowly pour in the milk and cream, whisking constantly. Add the thyme and continue whisking until the mixture is smooth. Cook, whisking occasionally, until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the mushrooms, spreading them in an even layer; do not season or stir the mushrooms. Cook until golden brown on one side, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir to flip the mushrooms, then continue cooking until browned all over, another 3 minutes. Add the brandy, if using, and cook until reduced by half, about 1 minute. Season with pepper and then scrape the mushrooms into the pot with the cream sauce.
• Add the green beans to the mushroom cream sauce. Fold in 1 cup of the fried onions. Transfer the mixture to a 2-quart baking dish.
• Bake until the casserole is hot and bubbling around the edges, 30 to 35 minutes. Top with the butter crackers and the remaining 1/2 cup fried onions. Bake for another 5 minutes, just to brown the topping.

A NEW GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook green beans at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, 5 to 10 minutes; drain and transfer to a 9x13-inch dish.
• Cook and stir onions, vinegar, garlic, sugar, basil, and oregano in a skillet over medium heat until onions are softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking and stirring until onions are very tender and dark brown, 15 to 20 minutes more.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Spread onion mixture over green beans and top with Parmesan cheese. Arrange tomatoes, cut sides down, atop Parmesan cheese layer.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 35 minutes.

GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Line a baking sheet with paper towels. In a large bowl, toss together shallots and 1 1/4 cups flour until shallots are evenly coated. In batches, shake off excess flour from shallots and fry until golden and crisp, about 5 minutes, adjusting heat if shallots are browning too quickly. With a slotted spoon, transfer to sheet and season with salt. Set aside. (Store in an airtight container at room temperature with a layer of paper towels underneath, up to 2 days.)
• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook green beans until crisp-tender, 6 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Pat dry. (To store, refrigerate in a resealable plastic bag, up to 1 day.)
• In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium-high. Add mushrooms and cook until liquid has evaporated, about 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add 1/4 cup flour and cook, stirring, until incorporated, about 1 minute. Whisking constantly, gradually add broth, then milk. Bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. (To store, refrigerate with plastic wrap on surface, up to 2 days. Reheat before using.)
• Add green beans to mushroom sauce and toss to coat. Transfer mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Bake until bubbling around edges, about 15 minutes. Serve topped with fried shallots.