Ingredients:
- 1.5 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
- 1 lb cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups whole milk
- 0.5 cup chicken stock
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp cracked black pepper
- 1.5 cups crispy fried onions
- 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Drop the trimmed beans in and cook for exactly 5 minutes until vibrant green and barely tender.
- Immediately plunge the beans into the ice bath to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, drain thoroughly and pat dry.
- In a large skillet, cook diced bacon until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
- Add butter and sliced mushrooms to the skillet. Sauté until mushrooms release moisture and become deeply caramelized.
- Stir in minced garlic and flour; cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in milk and chicken stock until a smooth, thick sauce forms.
- Season sauce with onion powder, salt, and pepper. Fold in the blanched green beans and 0.75 cups of crispy onions.
- Transfer mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes.
- Top with remaining crispy onions, cooked bacon, and Parmesan cheese. Bake for an additional 10 minutes until the topping is golden and shattering.