Plan for Progress  

The green bean casserole was created in 1955 by Campbell Soup Company and has become a holiday special; the side dish is particularly well-liked for Thanksgiving festivities. The casseroles usually consist of green beans, canned cream of mushroom soup or homemade cream soup, and French fried onions. Ground black pepper and/or soy sauce are on occasion included in the recipe.

Ingredients

For the topping:

2 medium onions, thinly sliced

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs

1 teaspoon kosher salt

Nonstick cooking spray

For beans and sauce:

2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided

1 pound fresh green beans, rinsed, trimmed and halved

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

12 ounces mushrooms, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup half-and-half

Directions

1.Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.

2.Combine the onions, flour, panko and salt in a large mixing bowl and toss. Coat a sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray and consistenly spread the onions on the pan. Place the pan on the middle rack of the oven and bake until golden brown, approximately 30 minutes.

3.Stir the onions 2 to 3 times during cooking. Once done, take from the oven and set aside. Turn the oven down to 400 degrees F.

4.While the onions are cooking, organize the beans. Bring a gallon of water and 2 tablespoons of salt to a simmer in an 8-quart saucepan. Add the beans and lighten for 5 minutes. Empty in a colander and immediately immerse the beans into a large bowl of ice water to discontinue the cooking. Drain and set aside.

5.Melt the butter in a 12-inch cast iron skillet placed over medium-high heat. Put in the mushrooms, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper and cook, stirring intermittently, until the mushrooms begin to relinquish some of their liquid, roughly 4 to 5 minutes.

6.Combine the garlic and nutmeg and maintain cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes. Shake the flour over the mixture and mix to combine. Cook for 1 minute. Add the broth and boil for 1 minute.

7.Decrease the heat to medium-low and add the half-and-half. Cook until the mixture thickens, stirring occasionally, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.

8.Separate from the heat and stir in 1/4 of the onions and all of the green beans. Top with the left over onions. Place into the oven and bake until bubbly, approximately 15 minutes.

9.Remove and serve right away