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 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

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 45 min. Bake: 10 min. YIELD: 16 servings (3/4 cup each).

Momma made these green beans only 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! —Marcia Shires, San Antonio, Texas

Ingredients

2 cups 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

1. 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.
2. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, bring 6 cups water to a boil. Add beans in batches; cook, uncovered, just until crisp-tender, 2-3 minutes. Drain.
3. Remove bacon from stockpot 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 until mushrooms are tender, 4-6 minutes. 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 until cheese is melted, 10-15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup: 246 calories, 19g fat (9g saturated fat), 32mg cholesterol, 468mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 9g protein.