Ultimate Green Bean Casserole
Unsalted butter for baking dish, plus 2 tablespoons
Canola oil for frying, plus 1 tablespoon
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cayenne pepper, to taste
6 large shallots, peeled and sliced into thin rings
1 lb. cremini mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup shallots, finely chopped
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup heavy cream
2 lbs. green beans, trimmed, halved and blanched
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish.
In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, pour in oil to a depth of 1 inch and heat to 350 degrees on a deep-frying thermometer. Line a baking sheet with paper towels.
Put 1/2 cup of the flour in a small bowl and season with salt, black pepper and cayenne. Add the sliced shallots and toss to coat evenly. Working in batches, fry the shallots until golden brown and lightly crisped, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and lightly season with salt. Set aside.
In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, warm the 1 tablespoon of oil and melt the 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until well browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium, add the chopped shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the remaining 1/4 cup flour and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. While stirring constantly, slowly add the stock and then the cream. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the green beans and season with salt and black pepper. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the fried shallot rings on top.
Transfer to the oven and bake until the edges are bubbling and the top is browned, about 30 minutes. Let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Recipe adapted from Williams-Sonoma
