NOT YOUR TYPICAL GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE!

Zana called me this morning wanting this recipe. She will be in her lovely kitchen all day long, sweating over the stove, with flour and sugar flying through the air like pixie dust. Christmas music will be playing in the back ground, while her 4 girls will be decorating gingerbread houses and saying sweet nothings such as..."Mother, you are so bootiful with flour on your face!" Baby Thomas will be in his swing, perfectly content with a full belly of extra sweet milk (mom needs to find her energy somewhere)! And to top it off, the maid will be cleaning the kitchen during Zana's mid-day nap! We all know cooking and baking can really wipe you out!

That was my fun little day dream of Zana's life. You can call her if you want the REAL story! But I've gotta admit, it worked, I'm ready to get off my buns and get busy in the kitchen-Thanks Zana!

Favorite Holiday Green Bean Casserole

3/4 cup finely chopped onion

2 Tb butter

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 tsp sugar

2 Tb flour

1 cup sour cream

4 cups french cut green beans-Canned or frozen

1/2 cup bread crumbs

2 Tb melted butter

Preheat oven to 350. In a skillet melt 2 Tb butter add onions and cook until onions are soft. Add flour (whisking) salt, sugar, and pepper. until combined. Stir in sour cream and green beans. Transfer to a baking dish. Mix crumbs and melted butter and evenly sprinkle over dish.

Bake for 25-30 minutes. Happy Thanksgiving!

GRIN AND BEAR IT!

This was taken a few weeks after we moved here, and not much has changed in a year...the kids are still driving us and each other crazy! It was pointed out to us soon after Bryn was born that we had unintentionally made a statement in regards to our life and parenting...

Bryn and Garrett=Grin and Bear it!

This couldn't be more true, especially in the teenage years!! Don't get me wrong, they're still just as sweet and adorable as the day they were born, but that's only when they're asleep! No really, Garrett is still cracking us up, and Bryn thankfully is still a ray of sunshine around here, but she's only 11. I hope we have the same girl in 3 years! Who am I kidding, I have 4 sisters (although Zana has always been perfect)!

One of the many things I love about my kiddos is how they're always so grateful when I cook and bake. I love to make their favorite food and watch them turn to puddy in my hands!

They both share the same love for mashed potatoes, but I wouldn't make them as much because I don't really feel like gaining a pound after I have a bite or two. Thankfully I came across this recipe a few years ago and have been making it ever since. They never knew when I switched the recipe to the lower fat one, and they still comment that I make the best mashed potatoes! Let's get to smashing!

Low-fat Smashed Potatoes (As Zana's girls would say!)
Slightly tweaked from Cooks Illustrated

5 medium russet potatoes, washed,peeled, and cut into small pieces
3/4 cup milk--NOT nonfat!
2 Tb melted butter
1/4 cup low-fat sour cream
Ground pepper
Salt
Lawry's Garlic salt (optional)
Parsley flakes

In a large pot add potatoes and water to an inch above potatoes. Add 1 tsp salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes or until tender and potato edges are soft and flaking off.

Drain and dump potatoes into your mixing bowl attached with a beater hook. Pulse a few times until they start to incorporate. Add milk, butter and pulse a more times until the lumps start to smooth out. Add sour cream and pulse to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste. I omit the salt if I use garlic salt and then sprinkle a little parsley. Be sure not to over mix or the potatoes will turn gummy.

Serve right away while it's hot to keep that perfect smooth texture!

I'm a Green Bean Eatin' Machine!

Michelle told me about this incredible recipe from Our Best Bites website. It sounded perfect for our Easter feast. I don't know why it's taken me so long to post this, but is a keeper! Never in my wildest food dreams would I think I'd crave green beans! It just goes to show you, life in the food blogging world just keeps getting better and better!

P.S. Those are caramelized red onions if your wondering...I know they look a little scary, but looks can be deceiving!

To Die for Green Beans!

1 1/8 pound green beans-washed, with ends snapped off and snapped in half.
1/2 pound bacon
1/2 red onion, sliced
4 garlic cloves, pressed
2 Tb soy sauce
2 Tb sugar
1/2 tsp kosher salt
freshly ground pepper
olive oil

In a small bowl combine soy sauce , sugar, salt. Set aside.

In a large pot bring water to a boil. Meanwhile, in a good sized frying pan cook the bacon. Remove from pan onto paper towels. Pour out bacon drippings from pan. When bacon is cooled, crumble into pieces.

When water is boiling, add green beans. Your just blanching them for a minute or two. Drain.

In the same pan you used for the bacon, add a little olive oil. When heated, add the sliced onions and pressed garlic. Saute for a minute-add the green beans, stir fry for a few minutes. Give the sauce a stir, then add to pan. Stir fry until the sauce starts to glaze and thicken. Add bacon and freshly ground pepper.

Wala! You just made yourself a killer side dish. Just remember to share!