Green Bean Casserole from Cooks Illustrated

Ingredients

• 4 slices white bread, each slice torn into quarters
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 teaspoon table salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 cups canned fried onions (about 6 oz.)
• 2 lbs green beans, ends trimmed and halved
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 lb white button mushrooms, stems trimmed, wiped clean, and broken into 1/2-inch pieces
• 3 medium garlic cloves, minced
• fresh ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream

Directions

1. 1

   For the topping: Pulse bread, butter, salt, and pepper in food processor until mixture resembles coarse crumbs, about 10 one-second pulses. Transfer to large bowl and toss with onions; set aside.

2. 2

   Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees.

3. 3

   Fill large bowl with ice water. Bring 4 qts. of water to boil in large Dutch oven. Add two tbls. salt and the green beans. Cook beans until bright green and crisp-tender, about 6 minutes. Drain beans in colander and plunge immediately into ice water to stop cooking. Spread beans on paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain.

4. 4

   Add butter to now-empty Dutch oven and melt over medium-high heat until foaming subsides. Add mushrooms, garlic, 3/4 teaspoons salt, and 1/8 teaspoons pepper; cook until mushrooms release moisture and liquid evaporates, about 6 minutes. Add flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in broth and bring to simmer, stirring constantly. Add cream, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until sauce is thickened and reduced to 3 1/2 cups, about 12 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. 5

   Add green beans to sauce and stir until evenly coated. Arrange in even layer in 3 quart (or 13 x 9") baking dish. Sprinkle with topping and bake until top is golden brown ans sauce is bubbling around edges, about 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

6. 6

   To prepare ahead: Store breadcrumb topping in an airtight container in the refrigerator and combine with the onion just before cooking. Combine the beans and cooled sauce in a baking dish, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. To serve, remove plastic wrap and heat casserole in a 425 degree oven for 10 minutes, then add the topping and bake as directed. This recipe can be halved and baked in a 2 quart (or 8" square) baking dish. Reduce cooking time of the sauce in Step 3 to about 6 minutes and the baking time in Step 4 to 10 minutes.