Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1 pound string beans, ends trimmed, beans cut in half
  • Ice cubes
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 12 ounces white mushrooms, washed, sandy ends (if any) removed, and sliced into 1/2-inch slices
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced (or put through a garlic press)
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 4 cups canola oil
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
  • 3 medium shallots, peeled and cut into thin rounds
  • Kosher salt

Method

  • I had my first green bean casserole at a friend's house for Thanksgiving and I have been wanting to recreate one ever since.
  • For the green beans: Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot.
  • When the water boils, add the salt to the water and then add the green beans.
  • Cook for 4 minutes.
  • Prepare an ice bath: Fill a large bowl halfway with ice cubes and add some cold water.
  • Place a colander squarely inside the ice bath.
  • The colander will keep you from having to pick the beans out from amongst the ice cubes in the ice bath.
  • When the beans are cooked, remove them from the hot water with a strainer and transfer them to the colander inside the ice bath.
  • Use a spoon to swirl the beans around in the ice bath so they are sure to cool down immediately.
  • Drain and set aside.
  • For the mushroom base: In a 10-inch cast iron skillet, melt the butter and add the mushrooms.
  • Season with salt, to taste, and add the cayenne and mustard.
  • Stir to blend and cook until the mushrooms give off most of their liquid, 5 to 8 minutes.
  • Using a whisk, add the garlic and flour to the mushrooms.
  • When all of the flour has been incorporated, add the chicken stock.
  • Bring to a simmer.
  • Taste for seasoning.
  • Stir in the cream and sour cream and simmer gently.
  • Continue cooking over low heat until the mixture thickens, 12 to 15 minutes.
  • For the shallots: Pour the oil into a medium frying pan.
  • Heat to 350 degrees F.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the flour and cayenne.
  • Toss the shallot rounds in the flour and shake off the excess by shaking the rounds in a strainer once they have been floured.
  • Test the oil by dropping in 1 shallot slice.
  • It should begin to bubble and fry gradually.
  • Prepare a baking sheet fitted with a kitchen towel.
  • Drop a small batch of the shallots into the oil and gently swirl the oil as they fry.
  • This will help them they fry more evenly on all sides.
  • When they are light to medium brown, remove them with a slotted spoon and lay them out on the kitchen towel to cool.
  • Sprinkle with a touch of salt.
  • To assemble: Stir the green beans and some of the shallots into the mushrooms.
  • Simmer on the stove, over low heat until the green beans become tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 10 to 15 minutes.
  • When ready to serve, top with all of the remaining shallots.