Tuesday, December 2, 2008

green bean casserole minus the soup

I love green bean casserole.  We didn't have it for Thanksgiving this year as we had about a million other things, so I am holding out for Christmas.  I made some this week, and the recipe was inspired by my friend, Sample Lady, at Trader Joe's.  I love that place.  

This dish has fewer calories and less sodium and no weird ingredients from canned soup (not that I can really bag on the stuff, because the original is so darn tasty).  But this is a very, very good alternative.  Really, you should try it.  Really.

OHM's Green Beans

© One Healthy Mama 2008
1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and rinsed  (you can use frozen if you'd like)
salt and pepper to taste
2/3 cup grated gruyere cheese
1/2 cup sliced almonds
2/3 cup canned fried onions (I used TJ's and they don't have any weird chemicals either, but use what you can)

Put your beans in a pan and cover with water.  Add a dash of salt. 
Simmer for 5-7 minutes, 'til tender-crisp; drain.
In a baking dish (I used my pie plate), toss with cheese, almonds and onions.
Cover and bake for about 15 minutes at 350.
Sprinkle with freshly ground pepper and voila!

I promise this is good.  All those textures and flavors together give you a nice fresh alternative to the ol' standby.  Give 'er a go!


7 comments:

Unknown said...

I may have to try this recipe! I don't make the "regular" version because of all the chemicals added to the soup and to the french fried onions. It's good to know TJ's has a healthy (or should I say healthier) alternative.

ChristineM said...

This sounds great! I've never even had traditional green bean casserole because it sounds...well, disgusting! I'm not a fan of many "cream of" soups, canned or otherwise....but I do love Gruyere! :)

Thanks for sharing!

Sweet Cheeks said...

This sounds sooo much better then the cream of soup kind!

Aunt Julie said...

So Darn Delish...do you cater? Hey, I'm returning visits from the FanTAbulous Merry SITSmas Event the other day. Thanks so much for visiting, and please...come by my place to see how to Pay It Forward during this Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

thamesarino said...

yum! it sounds so yummy!
and we love the sample "guy" at our store.... my 3 yr old heads straight to the back and THEN, we get to shop! : )

{leah} said...

I may have to try this. My 5 year old said the other day, "Mom I do like green beans!" So i'm cooking it all diffent ways now. (yeah for liking veggies)

Merry SITSmas

Gretchen said...

YUM that sounds great and I LOVE LOVE LOVE almonds in my green beans. I am the only one, but also I'm the only one who eats green bean casserole in my house, so I DEFINITELY have to give this recipe a try!