Fresh Green Bean Casserole With Ricotta Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add 2 quarts water and a generous pinch of salt to a Dutch oven and bring to a boil over high heat. Meanwhile, prepare an ice bath by combining 4 cups ice and 4 cups water in a large bowl. Add the green beans to the boiling water and cook just until crisp-tender and bright green, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain the beans and immediately plunge them into the ice bath. When cool, drain again and set aside.
• Melt the butter in the Dutch oven over medium heat. When the bubbles have subsided, whisk in the flour until it is free of lumps. Cook until the mixture is slightly golden and smells of toasted nuts, about 2 minutes. Slowly pour in the milk and cream, whisking constantly. Add the thyme and continue whisking until the mixture is smooth. Cook, whisking occasionally, until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the mushrooms, spreading them in an even layer; do not season or stir the mushrooms. Cook until golden brown on one side, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir to flip the mushrooms, then continue cooking until browned all over, another 3 minutes. Add the brandy, if using, and cook until reduced by half, about 1 minute. Season with pepper and then scrape the mushrooms into the pot with the cream sauce.
• Add the green beans to the mushroom cream sauce. Fold in 1 cup of the fried onions. Transfer the mixture to a 2-quart baking dish.
• Bake until the casserole is hot and bubbling around the edges, 30 to 35 minutes. Top with the butter crackers and the remaining 1/2 cup fried onions. Bake for another 5 minutes, just to brown the topping.

Steps:

• Make the casserole: Place the dried shiitake mushrooms in a small bowl and cover with boiling water, about 2 cups, and cover with plastic wrap. Let steep for 20 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh strainer, reserve 1/2 cup of the liquid and slice the steeped mushrooms.
• Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion; cook, stirring, until softened, 7 to 10 minutes. Add the cremini and shiitake mushrooms; saute until softened and most of the liquid has evaporated, 10 minutes. Sprinkle in the flour; cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add the broth and mushroom liquid. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook until crisp-tender, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain; shake off any excess water and add to the mushroom sauce. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beans are very tender and the sauce is thick, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and season with 2 teaspoons of salt and pepper.
• For the topping: Soak the sliced onions in the buttermilk, 5 minutes. Combine the flour and 1 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Heat 2 to 3 inches vegetable oil in a large pot until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Working in batches, drain the onion, toss with the flour and shake off the excess, then fry until golden, 4 to 6 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
• Transfer the green bean mixture to a 4-quart baking dish and top with the fried onions. (The casserole and topping can be made up to 2 hours ahead; refrigerate the casserole. Bring to room temperature; reheat at 350 degrees F, 30 minutes. Top with the fried onion; bake 5 more minutes.)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook, uncovered, until crisp-tender, about 6 minutes. Drain in a colander and immediately immerse in ice water for several minutes to stop the cooking process. Drain and transfer to a large bowl
• Heat 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onion in the hot butter until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and garlic; saute until mushrooms are just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Stir into green beans.
• Place remaining 5 tablespoons butter in a 2-quart, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high power in 30 second intervals, until melted.
• Add flour to melted butter and whisk until smooth. Add sea salt and pepper, then add 1 cup of milk; whisk until mixed together. Microwave for 2 minutes. Add the next cup of milk, whisking until smooth; microwave for 2 minutes. The roux mixture should thicken between additions, less so as each cup is added. Add remaining cup of milk; microwave for 2 minutes more, and then whisk.
• Pour the green bean mixture into a 9x13-inch baking pan. Add the thickened roux and combine. Add salt and pepper if desired.
• Bake in the preheated oven until warm and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Top with crispy fried onions and return to the oven for 5 minutes.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a small casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir to create a smooth paste. Slowly add half-and-half and continue to stir to prevent any lumps. Add soy sauce, salt, and pepper; stir to combine. Taste mushroom gravy and adjust seasoning to your liking.
• Meanwhile, heat chicken broth in a saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Add green beans to boiling chicken broth and cook for 6 minutes. Strain green beans and add to mushroom gravy. Transfer mixture to the prepared casserole dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Sprinkle French-fried onions on top and return to the oven. Bake for 5 more minutes and serve immediately.