Green Bean Casserole

Alton Brown
4 to 6
green bean
side dish
casserole

For the Topping
2 medium onions thinly sliced
¼ cup flour
2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
1 teaspoon kosher salt
non-stick spray

For the Beans
1 pound fresh green beans rinsed and trimmed
1 gallon water
2 tablespoons kosher salt

For the Sauce
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 ounces mushrooms trimmed and cut into ½-inch pieces
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
2 cloves garlic minced
¼ teaspoon nutmeg freshly ground
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup half and half

  1. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.
  2. Combine the onions, flour, panko and salt in a large mixing bowl. 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.
  3. Turn the oven down to 400 degrees F.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.