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Green Bean Casserole Recipe from Scratch! Recipe

Green Bean Casserole Recipe from Scratch! Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 8 reviews

This Green Bean Casserole Recipe from Scratch features tender green beans in a creamy mushroom and Gruyere cheese sauce, topped with crispy homemade fried shallots. This elevated take on a classic holiday favorite uses dried shiitake mushrooms and dry sherry to add depth of flavor, delivering a rich, comforting dish perfect for festive gatherings or a cozy weeknight side.

Ingredients

Scale

Fried Shallots

  • 3 large shallots, peeled and very thinly sliced into rings
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Casserole

  • 1 1/2 lbs green beans, trimmed
  • 2 cups half and half or cream
  • 1/2 ounce dried shiitake mushrooms
  • 3 Tbsp butter
  • 3 Tbsp flour
  • 1/3 cup dry sherry (not cooking sherry)
  • 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese, divided (heaped cup)
  • Salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste
  • Dash of fresh grated nutmeg or more to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare and Fry Shallots: Peel and thinly slice the shallots into rings. Mix flour and salt together in a bowl, then gently toss the shallot rings in the flour mixture, separating them carefully.
  2. Heat Oil: In a saucepan, add about 2 inches of vegetable oil and heat over medium-high until it reaches 325°F (use a clip-on thermometer for accuracy).
  3. Fry Shallots: Fry the floured shallots in batches for under 2 minutes until golden and crisp, making sure to remove any browned bits from the oil between batches to avoid burning. Drain the fried shallots on paper towels and set aside.
  4. Infuse Mushrooms: Heat the half and half or cream to a simmer, then remove from heat and add dried shiitake mushrooms. Stir well, cover, and let sit for 30 minutes to rehydrate and infuse flavor.
  5. Blanch Green Beans: Preheat oven to 350°F. Trim green beans but leave whole. Boil them in a large pot of boiling water for about 3 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp.
  6. Shock Beans: Prepare an ice bath with cold water and ice. Drain green beans and immediately immerse them in the ice bath to stop cooking and retain their vibrant color. Drain again and pat dry.
  7. Make Mushroom Sauce: Puree the soaked mushrooms and cream in a food processor or blender until smooth but some texture is okay.
  8. Prepare Roux: Melt butter in a medium pan over medium heat, add flour, and stir constantly for about 2 minutes without browning.
  9. Add Sherry and Cream Mixture: Pour in the dry sherry and whisk until fully blended and slightly cooked for a minute. Then add the mushroom cream puree and whisk until the sauce simmers and thickens.
  10. Add Cheese and Season: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup of shredded Gruyere cheese. Season the sauce with salt, fresh cracked black pepper, and a dash of fresh grated nutmeg to taste.
  11. Assemble Casserole: In a baking dish, layer half of the green beans, then drizzle half of the mushroom sauce evenly over the beans. Repeat with remaining beans and sauce, ensuring even distribution.
  12. Add Cheese Topping and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of Gruyere cheese on top. Bake uncovered for 35-45 minutes until bubbly and golden. If browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil halfway through baking.
  13. Serve: Top the baked casserole with the crispy fried shallots and serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Use dry sherry, not cooking sherry, to enhance flavor richness.
  • Frying shallots ahead of time is fine; they stay crispy if stored in an airtight container.
  • The dash of fresh grated nutmeg adds a subtle but important warmth to the sauce; don’t omit.
  • Blanching and shocking green beans preserves their bright color and crunch.
  • Tent the casserole with foil if it browns too fast in the oven while baking.
  • Gruyere cheese melts beautifully and adds a nutty flavor; feel free to substitute with Swiss cheese if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: green bean casserole, homemade green bean casserole, mushroom sauce, fried shallots, holiday side dish, vegetarian casserole

Find it online: https://cheframiflavor.com/green-bean-casserole-recipe-from-scratch-recipe/