Baked green beans: A Canadian twist on a Thanksgiving classic
Green beans are often just a side dish to the main course. However, green or yellow pods baked under a creamy béchamel sauce can also serve as a standalone dish. In the United States, such a casserole is commonly served on Thanksgiving. Here in Canada, it's worth making when seasonal vegetables are available.
You can bake both green and yellow beans under béchamel. The green variety has a slightly spicier flavour with a hint of bitterness, while the yellow variety is milder and sweeter. If you're in the mood for some meat, choose ground beef, but be sure to fry it in a pan first to prevent the casserole from becoming watery. For a vegetarian version, consider adding sun-dried tomatoes and feta cheese.
What to use green beans for?
Many people don't fully appreciate the potential of green beans. However, these spring beans can also be a great addition to one-pot meals or colourful salads. With green beans, you can make both a tasty savoury tart and a hearty breakfast omelette.
Recipe for baked green beans
When Americans prepare green beans for Thanksgiving, they often add fried onions on top. In this version, the onion is fried with garlic.
Ingredients:
- 450 g of green beans
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2 tablespoons of flour
- 475 mL of milk
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 140 g of grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Wash the beans and trim the ends. Boil water in a pot, add a teaspoon of salt, and immerse the beans in the boiling water for 2–3 minutes. Remove them with a colander and rinse under cold tap water.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a pan and sauté the sliced onion until soft. Add the finely chopped garlic shortly after.
- Once the vegetables become aromatic, add flour and mix well. After a moment, pour in the milk and stir vigorously to form a thick sauce.
- Transfer the blanched beans to a baking dish and mix with half of the Parmesan.
- Cover with béchamel, sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan, and bake in the oven preheated to 200°C for 25 minutes.
