TALEGGIO G-BEAN CLIQUE
I know what you’re thinking, ‘there’s nothing clever about this recipe, except its name.’ And you may be right; a Green Bean Casserole does put the ‘B’ in basic, but when you forego the can of cream of mushroom soup for your own velvety béchamel sauce, and amp up the luxury quotient with a half-pound of Taleggio cheese and a quarter cup Pecorino Romano, you’ll find you’ve made a huge misassessment of that belief quickly.
I didn’t start making this holiday favorite till Christmas 2012 as part of a potluck dinner. The success of it, however, made it a staple for Christmases to follow. The béchamel sauce has varied in cheese choices since its inception to the holiday table. I initially used white cheddar and then asiago, the clear winner, however, is the stinks-so-good aroma of Taleggio that contrasts in flavor with its mild, fruity tang, and creamy—made to melt—texture; partnering with the salty, umami-rich notes of Pecorino Romano to ensure complete and utter cheesegasm.
Now, the only real sacrilege here would be for me to not use Frenchs Original Crispy Fried Onions. It’s the one key element (besides the green beans, of course) that is in fact necessary in keeping harmony and balance in the world. So, no frou-frou fried shallot toppings here, please and thank you.
PREP/BAKE TIME: About 35 Minutes
Makes About 5 – 6 Servings
INGREDIENTS
1 Lb – Fresh Green Beans, Trimmed
1 Tb – Kosher Salt
3 Tb – Unsalted Butter
3 Tb – All Purpose Flour
2 ½ Cups – Whole Milk
½ Lb – Taleggio Cheese
¼ Cup – Pecorino Romano
Salt and Coarse Black Pepper to Taste
1 (6 Oz) Can – French’s Original Crispy Fried Onions
THE NITTY GRITTY
In an oven-safe pan, steam green beans in about an inch of water with 1 Tbs Kosher Salt at medium-high heat for about 3 – 4 minutes, or till beans are slightly tender. Drain water and let cool. Meanwhile, in a medium sauce pan, heat unsalted butter at medium-high till melted. Add flour and cook till roux forms and takes on a blonde color. Whisk in milk; blend till smooth. Add Taleggio and a Pecorino Romano; stir to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour mixture over green beans and bake in a pre-heated oven at 400° F for 10 minutes, or till sauce is bubbly. Top with fried onions and bake for another 5 minutes. Let casserole cool for about 8 minutes before serving and enjoy.
DECEMBER 18, 2019
