Green Bean Casserole

INGREDIENTS

For the Sauce & the Beans

• 1 pound fresh green beans or haricot verts, rinsed and cut into halves or thirds.
• 1.5 cups mushrooms, chopped (white button, baby portobello, or shitake-I prefer a mix!)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons grass-fed butter or avocado oil
• 2 tablespoons organic all-purpose flour (or try Bob's GF 1:1)
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 cup organic chicken broth or mushroom broth (Try Pacific brand)
• 1 cup whole milk or almond milk
• 2 teaspoons pink salt or sea salt, divided
• black pepper, to taste

For the Crispy Onion Topping (optional-but is it?)

• 2 medium onions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour or (GF flour)
• 1 teaspoon pink salt or sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon avocado oil

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.
• Combine the onions, flour, and salt in a large mixing bowl and toss to combine.
• With a cloth or paper towel, rub the sheet pan with avocado oil and then evenly spread the onions on the pan.
• Place the pan on the middle rack of the oven and bake until golden brown, approximately 30 minutes.
• Toss the onions 2 to 3 times during cooking.
• Once done, remove from the oven and set aside until ready to use.
• Turn the oven down to 400 degrees F.
• While the onions are cooking, prepare the beans. Bring 6 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt to a boil in a 4-6-quart saucepan.
• Add the beans and blanch for 5 minutes. 
• Drain and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a 12-inch skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally until the mushrooms begin to give up some of their liquid, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
• Add the garlic and nutmeg and continue to cook for another 1 to 2 minutes.
• Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute.
• Whisk in the broth and simmer for 1 minute.
• Decrease the heat to medium-low and add the milk.
• Cook until the mixture thickens, stirring occasionally, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. 
• Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed. 
• Remove from the heat and stir in 1/4 of the onions and all of the green beans.
• Pour into a baking dish and top with the remaining onions.
• Place into the oven and bake until bubbly, approximately 15 minutes.
• Remove and serve immediately.

*Modified Recipe from Alton Brown