green bean casserole (even though i loathe green beans)

another thanksgiving recipe that easily transitions to the christmas dinner table.  i wanted to try making this without using any canned products (except the fried onions, of course), so i found a few recipes to guide me and kind of did my own thing.  another great success with barely any leftovers.

start by boiling 2lbs green beans in a large pot of chicken broth for 10 min,
then drain and set aside

then slice 1lb assorted mushrooms and 2 shallots

melt 2tbs butter and 2tbs olive oil in a large sautee pan

add mushrooms and shallots

sautee until mushrooms have released all moisture (10-15 min)

at this point i added a few tablespoons of sherry to deglaze the pan, and then poured in 2 cups heavy cream

stir it and add some herbs ( i happened to have fresh sage, and some dried chives)

stir and bring to a light boil

add green beans to the dish

stir to coat (this was difficult for me because my pan wasn't quite large enough!)

add to a casserole dish (this was too deep so i moved it to a shallower one)

bake for 30 min at 375.  add french's fried onions to the top and return to oven for 5-10 more minutes

the green beans will be cooked and the onions will have started to brown.

despite my hatred for green beans, i must say this casserole was rather delightful.  i've already been enlisted to make it again for christmas!

green bean casserole

ingredients
2lbs green beans
~2 quarts (8 cups) chicken broth
1lb assorted mushrooms (I used 8oz button, and 8oz baby bellas)
2 shallots
2 tbs dry sherry or white wine
2 cups heavy cream
2 tbs unsalted butter
2 tbs olive oil
1-2 tbs herbs ( i used 1tbs fresh sage, 1tsp dried chives)
1 (2.8 oz) can French's French Fried Onions

directions
preheat oven to 375
boil chicken broth in large pot and add green beans.
boil for 10 min.  drain and set aside
slice mushrooms and shallots
melt butter and olive oil in large sauté pan
add mushrooms and shallots and cook until mushrooms have released moisture, 10-15 min
add sherry to deglaze pan - scrape up any browned pieces that are sticking to the bottom (but do not discard - these are full of flavor!)
add cream and herbs, stir, bring to a light boil
add green beans to dish and stir to coat
transfer to a 9x13 casserole dish, bake for 20 min
slide oven rack out and top casserole with fried onions.  continue baking for 5-10 more minutes.  liquid will be hot and bubbling, green beans will be cooked, and onions will be lightly browned

satisfaction guaranteed.