Not your Mama's Green Bean Casserole

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Gather

1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans, cleaned and cut into halves or thirds

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1/2 tablespoon butter

1 cup minced shallots

1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

9-10 ounce package crimini mushrooms, thinly sliced

1/4 cup all purpose flour

1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth

1/3 cup half and half

1/2 teaspoon salt

freshly ground pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground sage

Step by step

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
3. Throw the green beans in and cook for 4 minutes.
4. Drain and shock the beans in an ice water bath; set aside.
5. In a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium high heat.
6. Add 1/2 cup of the shallots and cook, stirring often, for about 5 minutes. Allow the shallots to caramelize and brown, but don't burn them!
7. Remove the skillet from heat and add the butter, allowing it to melt.
8. Add the breadcrumbs to the shallots and stir to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.
9. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
10. Add the rest of the shallots and cook, stirring, for about two minutes.
11. Next, the mushrooms. Throw all of them into the skillet and cook for about five minutes more, stirring often, till the mushrooms are browned.
12. Sprinkle the flour over the mushrooms and stir to combine.
13. Continue stirring while the flour cooks into the mushrooms for about a minute.
14. Slowly pour in the broth, whisking as you go to get out any lumps and to pick up the delicious brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
15. Once the broth is incorporated, add the half and half and sage and stir to combine.
16. Allow the mixture to come to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer till thickened, usually a few minutes.
17. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
18. Add the green beans into the mushroom mixture and fold together.
19. Pour the green beans and mushroom sauce into a baking dish.
20. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the top.
21. Slide the baking dish into the oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes.
22. Pull that beauty out of the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.