Green Bean Casserole..The Original Comfort Food

This is the first Christmas that I experienced as a vegan. There are just some things that make Christmas Christmas, right? For me, it's green bean casserole. That's where the idea began, and I was pleasantly surprised at what I got. It was exactly what I was looking for, and now that I know how to make it it has become a popular side dish at my house. As always, season according to taste. Use my spicing framework as a basis. I generally continue to season to taste the entire time I am cooking.

This recipe is done in three steps: making the "Buttermilk" White Sauce, blanching the green beans, and "casseroling" it.

"Buttermilk" White Sauce

2 TBSP vegan margarine
1/4 cup flour
2 cups soy milk, room temperature
1 TBSP white vinegar
1 TBSP Ranch dressing mix ** (Hidden Valley is NOT Vegan)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp Mrs. Dash

Melt the butter in a medium sized heavy saucepan over medium heat, whisk in flour until smooth. Cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly. In a seperate bowl, add one tablespoon white vinegar to the soy milk and stir to combine. Gradually whisk in the soy milk mixture, cooking over medium heat and whisking contantly until it is thickened significantly and bubbly. Remove from heat and add the remainder of the items, seasoning to taste.

Blanched Green Beans

1 1/2 lb fresh green beans, trimmed

Cook the green beans in boiling, salted water to cover for 4-6 minutes. This cooking time will leave the beans still crunchy, so cook it longer if you prefer. Either use immediately or plunge into an ice bath to stop the cooking process.

"Casseroling" It

Buttermilk White Sauce
Blanched Green Beans
1 cup french fried onions, from the can, crushed
1/2 cup Japanese breadcrumbs (Pancho) - or more
1/2 cup pecans, chopped - or more

Preheat the oen to 350 degrees. Stir together white sauce and green beans. Place the mixture in a greased 13 x 9 inch pan. Combine the French fried onions, breadcrumbs, and pecans and spread over the green bean mixture to cover. Be as liberal with this mixture as you please. I personally probably use more than the base suggestion of 1/2 cup pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Serve immediately.