Homestyle Green Bean Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup ground walnuts
• 1 onion, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices and separated into rings
• 1/2 pound baby bella or cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 16 oz. frozen French-cut green beans, thawed and drained

Makes 8 Servings

1. Preheat the oven to 500°F. Coat a medium baking sheet and 13" X 9" baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Place the buttermilk in a shallow bowl. Place the bread crumbs and walnuts in another shallow bowl; stir to combine. Dip the onion rings into the buttermilk, then dredge in the bread crumbs and place on the prepared baking sheet. Coat the onion rings lightly with cooking spray.
3. Bake for 20 minutes, or until tender and golden brown.
4. Meanwhile, heat a medium saucepan coated with cooking spray over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, chopped onion, thyme, and salt. Coat with cooking spray.
5. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes, or until the mushrooms release their liquid. Sprinkle with the flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the milk and cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes, or until thickened. Add the green beans and stir to combine.
6. Reduce the oven temperature to 400°F. Pour the bean mixture into the prepared baking dish. Scatter the onion rings over the top. Bake for 25 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Cookbook. A green bean casserole can be a comfort food when it's done right. This casserole is both comforting and filling. It has three servings of vegetables and it's quite delicious. I highly recommend adding minced garlic to this dish because garlic always makes everything taste better.