The first time I was introduced to a casserole was about 15 years ago. My husband  and I had been invited to a dinner party/ dinner club and everyone had been invited to contribute to the meal by bringing something. I cannot recall what i brought, but what i recalled is the food that i tasted. Some was good, some average and some just below average. What i remembered is a green bean casserole. I had never seen green beans served other than steamed, sauteed in a pan, or served as a salad before that evening. I tasted it and though many people went on and on about it, i was really not impressed.

I will tell you that I never really ventured to make a green bean casserole until this week-end. In the october issue of Fine Cooking, there was a recipe that looked so yummy that I needed to try it. Except that i hardly followed the recipe because I did not have everything on hand.

Ingredients for a casserole of 8-10 people:

• 2 lbs of green beans rinsed and trimmed
• 1 leek 
• 1 onion
• 1 box of mushroom
• 2 tbsp of butter
• 3 tbsp of flour
• 1 cup of white wine
• 1 cup of broth
• 1 cup of milk/ or cream
• salt and pepper

1. Rinse the leeks, chop them very thinly and set them aside.
2. Slice the onion in half. Slice 1 half in thin rings.
3. Place them into a bowl, drizzle some flour, mix them well.
4. Fry them a bit a time in a sauteed pan until they are golden brown. Set them aside.
5. Chop the other half of the onion.
6. In a large saucepan, melt the butter and cook it until it is sizzling. Add the onion and saute them until they are becoming a light yellow and are translucent. Add the leek and do the same.
7. Then add the sliced mushrooms. Cook them until they are brown and the liquid has evaporated.
8. Add the flour and stir well.
9. Add the white wine and bring the mixture to boil.
10. Lower the temperature, add the broth, the cream and cook until the mixture is thickening.
11. Meanwhile, steam the beans for 4 minutes until they are cooked, but firm.
12. I choose the use my round mold to steam the beans because it is much quicker: trim the green beans and place them into a large round bowl. Add a pinch of salt. Place the octogonal silpat on top to close it off and cook the beans in the microwave for 6 minutes.
13. Drain the water, place the beans into a casserole dish. I chose my large round mold again because it is non-stick so no scrubbing;-) when it will be cleaning time.
14. Pour the sauce over the beans, mix well and cook the “casserole” for 20-30 minutes.
15. When it is time to serve the casserole, mix the casserole to distribute the sauce. Sprinkle the sauteed onions over the casserole and enjoy;-)

Bon Appetit and Happy Cooking!!!