Green Bean Casserole

This recipe is long over due.  What did you leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve?  Did you just leave the traditional cookies and milk?  We knew better.  We knew he was sick of cookies and milk.  Santa loves bacon, onions and garlic fried together.  Just the aroma alone made him leave more gifts!

I would also like to say this casserole has nothing from a can.  Yes people, you can make green bean casserole without cream of fungus soup. 

Check out the happy grin!

The recipe called for blanched green beans.  I like mine a little softer, so I steamed them for about 20 minutes.

After making the roux, mix in the bacon, onion and garlic mixture. 

 

Now add in 1 jar of drained pimentos.  So purdy.

I have a couple of magic pots.  This magic pot is a 3 quart magic pot, so it holds the same amount as a 13x9 inch Pyrex.  You could of course make this in another, non-oven proof pan and then bake it in a 13x9 inch Pyrex, but magic pots make everything taste better.

Oh yes, and toss green beans with the yummy, drink it from a straw sauce.

All mixed up and ready to bake.

All golden brown, bubbly and totally amazing.

GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

The original recipe can be found at Pioneer Woman.

• 2 pounds Fresh Green Beans, Ends Cut Off (Frozen work fine too...that is what I used)
• 4 slices Bacon, Cut Into 1/4 Inch Pieces
• 3 cloves Garlic, Minced
• ½ whole Large Onion, Chopped
• 4 Tablespoons Butter
• 4 Tablespoons All-purpose Flour
• 2-½ cups Whole Milk
• ½ cups Half-and-half
• 1-½ teaspoon Salt, More To Taste
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
• ⅛ teaspoons Cayenne Pepper
• 1 cup Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• 1 jar (4 Ounce) Sliced Pimentos, Drained
• Extra Milk For Thinning If Necessary

Cut green beans in half if you like pieces to be a little smaller.  Steam green beans for 20 minutes or  blanch. Add bacon pieces to a skillet over medium heat. Cook bacon for two minutes, then add diced onion and garlic and continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes, or until bacon is done (but not crisp) and onions are golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.  In a separate skillet or saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Sprinkle flour into the pan and whisk immediately to evenly mix it into the butter. Cook for a minute or two, then pour in milk and half and half. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, while sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and cayenne then add the grated cheddar. Stir while cheese melts. Turn off heat.  Add pimentos to pan, then add bacon/onion mixture. Stir to combine. Pour over green beans and stir gently to combine. Pour into a baking dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until sauce is bubbly.

Please see Tasty Tuesday for more yummy recipes.