Nannys Comfort Green Beans Food

HOMEMADE GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, season with 2 tablespoons salt, and blanch the green beans for 5 minutes. Shock the green beans in a bowl filled with ice water, then remove and set aside to dry.
• Melt the butter in a large cast-iron pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook until lightly browned. Add the mushrooms and some salt and pepper, and cook until just softened. Add the flour and stir to coat the mushrooms and shallots. Add the chicken stock, whisking vigorously to smooth out any lumps. Whisk in the half-and-half. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3 minutes. Check the seasoning and adjust with more salt and pepper as needed. Add the green beans, then pour the mixture into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
• Bake for 30 minutes. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with fried onions to lend some extra crunch. Serve.

SPICY PICKLED GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• Submerge 3 pint jars on a rack in a large pot of water. Cover and bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low to keep jars warm until ready to fill.
• Combine vinegar, water, and pickling salt in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Working with one jar at a time, remove empty jars from canning pot and add 1/3 of crushed red and cayenne peppers to each. Pack green beans into jars, leaving 1/2 inch for headspace.
• Slowly pour hot brine over beans, leaving 1/2 inch for headspace. Use a clean wooden chopstick to work air bubbles out of jars. Slip in additional beans if space allows; check headspace again and add more brine if necessary to bring to 1/2 inch from top.
• Wipe jar rims, apply lids and bands (not too tightly), and return jars to canning pot. Cover pot and return water to a rolling boil. Process for 10 minutes. Turn off heat, remove pot lid, and let jars stand in the cooling water 5 minutes to help ensure a good vacuum seal.
• Move jars to a folded kitchen towel or wooden cutting board to cool completely before checking seals. Any unsealed jars should be refrigerated and eaten promptly. Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place. Sealed jars are shelf-stable at least 1 year.

NANNY'S BOURBON-BAKED BEANS (RACHAEL RAY)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook bacon until fat begins to render out.
• Add onion and cook 1 minute.
• Add mustard, molasses, sugar and chutney and heat through.
• Add pepper to taste.
• Stir in beans then pour mixture into a large, lightly greased baking dish.
• Bake 30 minutes covered.
• Remove from oven and stir in bourbon.
• Bake uncovered 15-20 minutes longer until beans are bubbly and thick.