French Onion Green Bean Casserole

French Onion Green Bean Casserole


For the onions:
2 tbsp butter
2 or 3 yellow onions, sliced
salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

For the white sauce:
2 tbsp butter
2 1/2 tbsp flour
2 1/2 cups milk
pinch of nutmeg
cayenne to taste
1/4 tsp dried thyme
salt and pepper to taste

For the topping:
2/3 cup bread crumbs
2 tbsp melted butter

For the rest:
900g green beans, trimmed, blanched
salt and pepper to taste
115g grated Gruyere cheese, divided
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

For the caramelised onions, slice the onions thinly. Once sliced, saute them over medium heat in some melted butter with a pinch of salt until they are caramelised (about 15 minutes). Add the vinegar. Set aside.

For the white sauce, melt some butter in a sauce pan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook the butter/flour mixture for 3 minutes. Then slowly whisk in the cold milk, keep whisking constantly. Season with salt, cayenne pepper, dried thyme and nutmeg. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken as it simmers, once it has come to a simmer let it cook for 2-3 minutes, then set aside.

Wash and trim the beans, then blanch them in salted water for about 3 minutes. Drain well.

In a casserole dish (35x25 cm) spread out half of the onion mixture. Spread the beans on top, season with salt and pepper. Spread the white sauce evenly over the beans. Spread half of the gruyere over the top. Top it with the rest of the onions and spread evenly. Mix the breadcrumbs with the melted butter and sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the top. Finally, top with the rest of the gruyere and some parmesan.

Bake at 190°C for 30 minutes.
Let sit for 10-15 minutes and serve.

As seen on www.foodwishes.com