So earlier this week, I came to you talking about how awesome homemade stuff is, and how cooking from scratch doesn't automatically mean something scary and impossible. And yes, I'm taking to you too, the kitchen novice. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE is capable of doing amazing things in the kitchen. You just need patience, a good recipe and of course, you need to savor every moment of the process.
So the first recipe was for some super easy and smack-ya-in-the-mouth good cranberry sauce. And today, as promised, I wanted to give a recipe for something a LITTLE more detailed, but just as easy: Green Bean Casserole.
You know it. You love it. It's been a staple in American homes for the holidays for over half a century. And of course, Campbell's Soup was the reason that green bean casserole came into existence back in 1955. They created the recipe simply to make something quick and easy around "two things most Americans always had on hand in the 1950's: green beans and Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup." So yes, this dish was born and raised from a can, created by the can-people, but who says that a dish that was spawned from cans has to always be from cans? No one. That's who.
What if making homemade from scratch green bean casserole wasn't only surprisingly simple, but majorly impressive too? What if it DIDN'T HAVE CANS?? What if when you brought your dish to the table, and everyone takes a look at it, then looks at you, then looks back at it, and says... " WOW THIS IS AMAZING!!! YOU DID THIS ALL BY YOURSELF?? FROM SCRATCH?? THE SOUP TOO?? " You can say, "Yes... Yes I did!"
Another fun thing about this recipe is that you can get people in the kitchen WITH you, and make it a fun activity for your pre-holiday meal. Grab someone to slice and toss the onions in the panko mixture. Have someone help you with the trimming of the green beans, because well, that can be a time-suck to go it alone. Plus, let me let you in on a secret. Ready? The hardest part of this entire dish is trimming those dang beans! Seriously.
Elevate your experience in the kitchen by pouring a glass of wine, and simply enjoy being with your friends and family! I really liked pairing this dish with a chilled glass white wine, and decided on Hess Select North Coast Sauvignon Blanc.
This wine has some beautiful grassy tones on the nose, with plenty of citrus and tropical fruit flavors. The acidity and the brightness really cut through the richness and the creamy nature of the green bean casserole, and with its full and rich mouth-feel, these two becomes a true winning combination.
Anyway, this dream of amazing green bean casserole, friends and family in the kitchen with you, showers of compliments and people clamoring at your feet for your secret recipe can be yours. Let me show you how.
Best Ever Green Bean Casserole
What if making green bean casserole wasn't only simple, but majorly impressive too? What if when you brought your dish to the table, and everyone takes a look at it, then looks at you, then looks back at it, and says... WOW THIS IS AMAZING!!! YOU DID THIS ALL BY YOURSELF?? FROM SCRATCH?? THE SOUP TOO?? Yes... Yes I did! This dream can be yours. Let me show you how.
(The Cranberry Sauce Recipe is my own. Green Bean Casserole recipe adapted from Alton Brown, 2007)
If you decide to make these recipes, please let me know down in the comments section! And come hang out with me over on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Happy cooking, and don't forget to Slow Down and Savor!
I received the Hess Select wine directly from Hess. All opinions are my own.
