1.5 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and snapped into bite-sized pieces
8 ounces cremini or button mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1.5 cups vegetable broth
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk or almond milk
2 tablespoons olive oil
1.5 cups crispy fried onions
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the trimmed green beans and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes until they are bright green and slightly tender but still crisp. Immediately drain the beans and plunge them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. This keeps them from becoming mushy during the baking stage. Drain again and set aside.
In a large oven-safe skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sliced mushrooms, cooking for about 7 to 10 minutes until the mushrooms have released their moisture and turned golden brown. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Sprinkle the flour over the mushroom mixture and stir constantly for about two minutes to cook off the raw flour taste. Slowly pour in the vegetable broth followed by the plant milk, whisking or stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Simmer the mixture for 5 to 7 minutes until it thickens into a glossy, creamy sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and a hint of nutmeg.
Fold the blanched green beans into the skillet with the mushroom sauce. Stir gently to ensure every bean is thoroughly coated. If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the mixture into a greased 9 by 13 inch baking dish. Fold in about half a cup of the crispy onions to ensure there is crunch throughout the entire dish.
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the sauce is bubbling. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the remaining crispy onions evenly over the top. Return the dish to the oven for another 5 minutes, watching closely to ensure the onions become golden and fragrant without burning.
