Green Bean Casserole with Madeira Mushrooms

I decided at the last minute last night for Christmas dinner that we needed green beans. I was going to
just sauté them and remembered I had a couple of recipe for casserole type green beans. I'm not a fan of the traditional green bean casserole so I wanted to make sure it wasn't something like that. 

I had all the ingredients I needed except the crunchy onions. Which, it turned out, my sister in law had and brought with her. And I'm glad I didn't avoid those because they really added to the overall flavor. 

This was an easy and delicious side dish. It will show up in my rotation for Sunday dinner - if and when we get to have parties again.

Green Bean Casserole with Madeira Mushrooms
Recipe from Myrecipes.com

Serves 8

• 1 1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed and halved crosswise
• 2 t olive oil
• 3 c chopped sweet onion
• 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
• 8 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced
• 1 (8-ounce) package presliced button mushrooms
• 1/3 c Madeira wine or dry sherry
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 3 t all-purpose flour
• 1 c fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
• 1 c  canned fried onions (such as French's)
• 1/2 c grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Preheat oven to 425°.

Place beans into a large saucepan of boiling water; cook 4 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water; drain well. Place beans in a large bowl; set aside.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion and thyme to pan; sauté 4 minutes or until onion is tender, stirring occasionally. Add mushrooms; sauté 10 minutes or until liquid almost evaporates, stirring frequently. Stir in wine, salt, and pepper; cook 2 minutes or until liquid almost evaporates. 

Stir in flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually stir in chicken broth; bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute or until thick, stirring constantly. Add mushroom mixture to green beans; toss well. 

Place green bean mixture in a 2-quart glass or ceramic baking dish. Combine fried onions and grated cheese in a small bowl. Top green bean mixture evenly with fried onion mixture. Bake at 425° for 17 minutes or until top is lightly browned.