Classic Green Bean Casserole

Dude, can we just take a second to talk about green beans? This is important. Stop what you're doing. Deep breathe. Don't hate me now. But.... Why canned green beans. Just why. I will concede if you absolutely cannot get fresh ones. I get that, you have no options so of course you must use canned. Of course. I'm not unreasonable, I can totally get that. But. If there are fresh green beans to be had.... well... why not people. Fresh green beans are, like, so fun! They turn bright green as you blanch them, and they retain a slight crispness in this casserole. Yeah. I know. Give it a try if you never have. It's something to do. Just saying. Green Bean Casserole, makes enough for 6-8 as a side dish. Needed: 2 lbs fresh green beans, 1/2 yellow onion, 2 cups fresh chopped mushrooms,1-2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 stick butter, 3 tablespoons flour, 1 cup cream, 1 1/2 cup vegetable stock, 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese and 1 container of french fried onions. Chop off the ends of the green beans, and cut into thirds (or however large you like your beans). Bring a large pot of water (with a  few teaspoons of salt) to a boil and blanch the beans for 5-8 minutes. Rinse in cool water and set aside over some paper towels to dry. In a large pot or dutch oven heat the olive oil over medium/high heat. Saute the chopped onion until it begins to soften, then add in the chopped mushrooms and cook until they begin to sweat. Remove the onion and mushrooms from the pan and set aside. Melt the butter and add the flour, whisking as you do. Let this thicken slightly (1 minute or so) then pour in the cream and stock and stir to combine. As it heats up add back in the onions, mushrooms and green beans. Season with salt, pepper and garlic salt if you like (I did!). Stir it all together and add the french friend onions to the top. Bake at 350 F for 18-20 minutes, until it starts to bubble. xo. Emma

Comments

[dena miller]

Sooooo good!!!

[Natalie]

Oh my god, I know. I can't eat canned, and I always feel like I'm such a snob about it, but come on! Of vegetables in cans, corn is really the only one that passes muster (and why is canned corn better than frozen, while frozen peas are better than canned?) I usually just do them simple with butter and toasted slivered almonds, but perhaps I need to revisit the whole casserole thing. Now that I think about it, I've never had it made properly with fresh green beans. Trying soon!

[Lesley Myrick]

You know what's the worst? FROZEN GREEN BEANS. Uggggh. Why do they always turn a sad shade of green-brown?

I wholeheartedly agree with your passion for fresh green beans. :)

[lisa]

in real life i wholeheartedly agree about fresh green beans, but in green bean casserole i like the soggier ones from a can. i know, i know! it's just that it's such a fake food to me (until i moved to the south, i for realsies thought it was a fake food that people on tv ate. see also: meatloaf, tuna casserole, pork rinds) that i kind of like how it's all weird and fake and soggy.

[Rae Veda]

Fresh green beans are the best! They're a staple of mine when I go to the farmer's market. xo, rv

http://aneclecticheap.blogspot.com/

[happilyfull]

yummm! i love green beans! will have to try this out soon!!!

[Monica @ Soirees Such]

This looks great! and I totally agree: why canned anything for that matter, if you can get it fresh.

[debbie]

ahh this looks so good!

[joy]

I have have an abhorrence to the squeakiness of fresh green beans. I love the idea of them, but I hate the way they feel in my teeth :D Looks delish though!

[Little Red Book]

Looks so edible, comfy food and sounds easy to make.

http://www.littleredbook-thatshaute.blogspot.com

[alyssa]

I just gotta say... NEVER canned green beans. Go frozen if you can't get fresh. Canned are worthless mushy gross outs. There. That's my opinion.

[kerryn]

Woah, spooky. I've been on SUCH a green bean kick lately. I just had a bit of a meltdown in the grocery store because there was none left. Will definitely give this recipe a go once they;re back in stock.

[hannahalehandra]

Looks delicious! I love this style of homely style cooking.
http://hannahalehandra.blogspot.com/

[irene]

looks yummy.. :)

Irene Wibowo

[Emily]

Canned are very gross and they are packed full of sodium and things that you already have a ton of in this casserole. I mostly use frozen... despite the squeakiness. I also put in Wortchestershire and bacon!
Very Yummy!!!

[Mama Smith]

So at the risk of sounding like a snob... I can't stand those packaged fried onions but my hubby loves 'em. I wonder if anyone has any thoughts on substitutions without the use of a deep frier. Maybe it's one of those things that just can't be replicated though- like Pringles :)

[Violets and Cardamom]

Looks so delicious! Can't wait to try this out using fresh green beans! I have only ever had it with canned.

[Kate]

Canned green beans make me gag. But, I do love a good green bean casserole made with fresh beans! I like to add a little brown sugar and dijon mustard to mine.

[Erin @ The Speckled Palate]

This sounds absolutely wonderful and a LOT BETTER than those casseroles that call for canned green beans. As someone who is all about fresh ingredients, this recipe makes me smile. And hopefully, it'll make my husband, who happens to LOVE canned green beans *gag*, a believer!

[Inna]

I love green beans! I totally agree they are awesome :)

http://bakingincouture.com

[Emma]

dare to be different, lisa. Love your honesty and attitude. :) xo. Emma

[Emma]

melt down in the grocery store are totally appropriate, in my opinion. don't let anyone tell you different. xo. Emma

[Emma]

I am actually sort of with you, I sometimes use Panko bread crumbs instead. but I made this one for family so I thought I'd keep it classic.

but I hear you. :) xo. Emma

[Emma]

Bread crumbs, any kind you like. :)

[Nicole]

I look forward to holiday food and always get disappointed after I eat it. It's actually pretty gross. The best Thanksgiving food I had was last year when my boyfriend and I cooked all the classics with fresh and organic ingredients. It's so nice to let the real flavor of the vegetables shine through, and know that you're actually getting nutrients from them. Atomic canned foods are creepy. Thanks for sharing how to make real cream of mushroom too! :)