DESCRIPTION OF HERBAL GREEN BEAN DELIGHT
The ‘Herbal Green Bean Delight’ reinvents the traditional green bean casserole with a lighter, more nutritious approach. Featuring fresh green beans enveloped in a creamy, herb-infused sauce and topped with crunchy French onions and pomegranate seeds, this dish is both healthful and heartwarming. It’s an ideal choice for holiday gatherings or a wholesome family meal, marrying classic comfort with a modern, healthy twist.
RECIPE CATEGORY
- Side
SERVING SIZE
- Serves 8
CUISINE
- American
PREPARATION/TECHNIQUES
- Sauté, Bake
OCCASION/HOLIDAY
- Thanksgiving, Christmas, Family Reunion
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION/DIETARY CONCERNS
- Low Fat, Low Sodium, Vegetarian, High Fiber
DISH TYPE
- Casserole
INGREDIENTS FOR HERBAL GREEN BEAN DELIGHT
- Fresh green beans: 1 1/2 pounds, trimmed
- Light butter: 2 Tbsp
- All-purpose flour: 1/4 cup
- Fat-free milk: 1 1/2 cups
- Nonfat buttermilk: 1/2 cup
- Ranch dressing mix: 1 Tbsp
- Fresh thyme: 2 tsp
- Salt: 1/4 tsp
- Black pepper: 1/4 tsp
- Additional light butter: 1 tsp for mushrooms
- Fresh mushrooms: 8 oz, sliced
- Crushed French onions: 1 cup
- Whole wheat panko: 1/2 cup
- Dried cranberries: Handful, optional
FULL NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
- Calories: Approx 150 per serving
- Protein: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fat: 6g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fiber: 4g
PREPARATION FOR HERBAL GREEN BEAN DELIGHT
- Precooked Green Beans: Blanch green beans in boiling water for 5 minutes, then plunge into ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain well.
- Make the Sauce: In a saucepan, melt light butter, stir in flour, and cook for a minute. Gradually add milk and buttermilk, stirring constantly until thickened. Mix in Ranch dressing, salt, pepper, and thyme.
- Sauté Mushrooms: In a skillet, heat the additional teaspoon of butter, add mushrooms, and sauté until golden.
- Combine: In a baking dish, combine green beans, sauce, and mushrooms. Top with crushed French onions and panko.
- Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and the top is golden.
- Garnish: Sprinkle with dried cranberries and additional fresh thyme before serving.
PREP TIME
- 20 minutes
COOKING TIME
- 25 minutes
TIPS FOR HERBAL GREEN BEAN DELIGHT
- For a dairy-free version, substitute plant-based milk and yoghurt and use a dairy-free butter alternative.
- Enhance flavour by adding a splash of white wine to the mushroom sauté.
VARIATIONS
- Protein-Packed: Add cooked, shredded chicken or turkey to the casserole for a heartier dish.
- Crunchy Topping: Mix sliced almonds with panko for an extra crunchy topping.
PREPPING AND STORAGE GUIDE FOR HERBAL GREEN BEAN DELIGHT
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the oven or microwave, adding a little milk to refresh the sauce.
This ‘Herbal Green Bean Delight’ is a festive and flavorful dish that’s sure to be a hit at any holiday table, providing a wholesome and delicious alternative to heavier traditional recipes.