Thanksgiving Green Beans

Name: Thanksgiving Green Beans
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 16 servings (3/4 cup each).
Ingredients: 2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream; 2 teaspoons sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon dill weed; 1 pound bacon strips, cut into 1-inch pieces; 2 pounds fresh green beans, cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces (6 cups); 1 pound medium fresh mushrooms, quartered; 6 green onions, chopped; 1 cup slivered almonds, optional; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 2 cups onion and garlic salad croutons; 1-1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Momma only made these green beans at Thanksgiving because at the time, the ingredients were out of her everyday budget. Her original recipe inside her recipe box had five stars drawn on it. I would have to agree—it's worth it to celebrate with all the fresh ingredients. —Marcia Shires, San Antonio, Texas

Ingredients

2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dill weed
1 pound bacon strips, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 pounds fresh green beans, cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces (6 cups)
1 pound medium fresh mushrooms, quartered
6 green onions, chopped
1 cup slivered almonds, optional
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups onion and garlic salad croutons
1-1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, combine sour cream, sugar, salt and dill weed. In a 6-qt. stockpot, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, bring 6 cups water to a boil. Add beans in batches; cook, uncovered, 2-3 minutes or just until crisp-tender. Drain.
Remove bacon with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Discard drippings, reserving 6 tablespoons in pan. Add mushrooms, onions and, if desired, almonds to drippings; cook and stir over medium heat 4-6 minutes or until mushrooms are tender. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute longer. Remove from heat; stir in beans, bacon and croutons. Stir in sour cream mixture. Transfer to an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted.