Simply Delicious Sunday [1] ~ Homemade Green Bean Casserole

Today begins Simply Delicious Sunday. Won't you join us?

One of the reasons I began this meme was to show that we can eat deliciously while still eating simply. By simply I mean without the aid of processed foods (not that it is a requirement for this meme ~ just my personal choice). Due to my illness I am supposed to avoid processed foods like they are the plague so I go out of my way to re-invent everyday, taken for granted recipes originally produced by the processed foods companies so that you buy their products and re-create them using everyday, simple, found in your pantry or generic house brand ingredients. One of the side benefits to eating healthier without the all the preservatives is that we also save money. For example the green beans in this recipe cost me $2.34 whereas the canned beans would have been $3.78. The whipping cream was on sale for $1.77 but the normally used condensed soup would have cost $2.78.

I look forward to seeing your home style recipes! Don't forget to link your specific recipe post link on Mr. Linky so we can see what's cooking at your house! Be sure to put the title of your recipe in parenthesis! It makes it so much easier for everyone to search for recipes.

HOME MADE GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

While this is a family favorite and tradition, I try to make it healthy and with more flavor. This recipe is great to make ahead and freeze so that I'm not having tons of dirty bowls and measuring cups to wash on the "ACTUAL" day.

2 pounds fresh green beans ~ washed, trimmed and cut into pieces
1 box sliced fresh mushrooms ~ minced
1 LARGE bunch green onions ~ sliced thin
2 cloves garlic
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 slices sourdough bread
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 large can French's Cheddar Cheese Fried Onion Rings

• Tear sourdough into chunks.
• In food chopper coarsely grind sourdough bread pieces and the 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
• Combine with French's onion rings in a freezer Ziploc.
• In a medium skillet, melt the 3 tablespoons of butter.
• Add onions and mushrooms and saute for about 5 minutes or liquid has evaporated.
• Add garlic, thyme, sea salt and cook until fragrance is released.
• Sprinkle flour evenly over the tops and mix in until golden.
• Slowly whisk in broth and cream and bring to a slow boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent burning until sauce is thickened.
• Let cool.
  
• Toss green beans with with cornstarch.
• Pour into a large baking dish, 9x13 or so.
• Pour the sauce evenly over top of green beans.
• When they have cooled, top with plastic wrap and then foil.
• Freeze.
• When ready to cook, remove plastic wrap and recover with foil.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 1 hour 15 minutes* or sauce is bubbling.
• Stir again.
• Add topping.
• Bake until golden, about 10 minutes.
  

*Stir beans and sauce together about half way.

I also participate in the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks, Homemaker Mondays hosted by Robyn at 11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven, Making a Happy Home Monday hosted by LL at As for me and my house..., Tempt My Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace, Slow Cooking Thursday & Tips on Tuesday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom, $5 Dinners is hosted by Erin at $5 DInners and Tempt my Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

♥