Not Your Average Green Beans Food

NOT YOUR MAMA'S GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.
• Combine the onions, flour, panko and salt in a large mixing bowl and toss to combine. Coat a sheet pan with nonstick spray and evenly spread the onions on the pan. Bake in the oven until golden brown, tossing every 10 minutes, for approximately 30 minutes. Once done, remove from the oven and set aside until ready to use.
• Turn the oven down to 400 degrees F.
• While the onions are cooking, prepare the beans. Bring a gallon of water and 2 tablespoons of salt to a boil in an 8-quart saucepan. Blanch for 5 minutes. Drain in a colander and immediately plunge the beans into a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms begin to give up some of their liquid, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and nutmeg and continue to cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute. Add the broth and simmer for 1 minute. Add the half-and-half and cook until the mixture thickens, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and stir in 1/4 of the onions and all of the green beans. Top with the remaining onions. Place into the oven and bake until bubbly, approximately 15 minutes. Remove and serve immediately.

BETTER THAN AVERAGE CANNED GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• Drain one can of the green beans. Empty both cans in to a medium sauce pan and add onions, bacon bits, salt and pepper. Cover and cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes. The trick is to let it bubble and DO NOT take the lid off. The bacon bits and onions soften and enhance the flavor of the beans.

NOT YOUR MAMA'S GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and saute until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms, thyme and sage and saute until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook 5 more minutes. Next add the sherry and stir until thickened. Add the cream and simmer an additional 5 minutes. Set sauce aside. (Recipe can be made to this point up to 2 days before, refrigerated.)
• Melt the remaining butter in a large skillet over high heat. Add the beans, toss to coat with the butter and saute until bright green, about 7 minutes. They'll still be crispy. Season with salt and pepper and place on a platter.
• Bring the sauce to a simmer and spoon over the beans. Top with the frizzled leeks.
• Heat a couple inches of oil to 350 degrees F in a large, heavy pot. To check the oil temperature, drop a bread cube into it. If the cube browns within 30 seconds the oil is hot enough.
• Trim leek, slice in half lengthwise, and wash well under running water. Cut the root end off the leek and then cut each half lengthwise into long, thin strips.
• Season flour with salt and pepper. Dredge leek strips in flour. Fry leeks for 1 to 2 minutes, or until crisp and golden. Drain on paper towels.

CANNED GREEN BEANS THAT DON'T TASTE LIKE CANNED GREEN BEANS!

Steps:

• Saute the onion, garlic and crushed red pepper flakes in 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat until the onions begin to start getting tender.
• Pour the green beans on top of the onion mixture and cover with a lid. Cook for about 5 minutes on low heat so that the beans can begin to take on the onion flavor.
• Add in the soy sauce, vinegar and two more tablespoons of the olive oil and half of a cup of water.
• Stir mixture together and cover with a lid and cook on low heat for 20-30 minutes.
• Before serving, drizzle the last tablespoon of the olive oil over the beans and season to taste with salt and pepper.

NOT YOUR AVERAGE GREEN BEANS!

Steps:

• Drain liquid from green beans.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Saute in olive oil (1 T. per can of beans) for 15 minutes.
• Sprinkle with Basil.
• Serve.