Fresh Green Bean Casserole****

By Gigirox

I'm so tired of the traditional "green bean casserole" so I'm hoping that this one from "The Pioneer Woman" is a keeper.

Ingredients

• Ingredients:
• 2 pounds fresh green beans, ends cut off
• Salt
• 4 slices bacon, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 whole large onion, chopped
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups whole milk, plus extra for thinning if needed
• 1/2 cup half-and-half
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 cup grated sharp Cheddar
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs or homemade onion straws

Preparation

Step 1

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
-Cut the green beans in half if you like the pieces to be a little smaller.
-Blanch the green beans: drop them into lightly salted boiling water and allow the green beans to cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Remove them from the boiling water with a slotted spoon and immediately plunge into a bowl of ice cold water to stop the cooking process.
-Drain the beans once they're cool and set aside.
-Add the bacon pieces to a skillet over medium heat. Cook the bacon for 2 minutes, and then add the peppers, garlic and onions, and continue cooking until the bacon is done (but not crisp) and the onions are golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.
-Remove from the heat and set aside.
-In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Sprinkle the flour into the pan and whisk immediately to evenly mix it into the butter. Cook for a minute or 2.
-Pour in the milk and half-and-half. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, while the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes.
-Add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, some black pepper and the cayenne.
-Add the grated cheese. Stir while the cheese melts. Turn off the heat.
-Add the bacon/onion mixture and stir to combine.
-Add the green beans and stir gently to combine.
-Pour into a baking dish and top with the panko.
-Bake until the sauce is bubbly and the panko is golden, about 30 minutes.