Recipe: Healthy Green Bean Casserole

This year will be the fifth Christmas Jesse and I spend together. Even though we've been together for eight years, being in a long distance relationship means we've only spent the last four years actually together in the same place.

Five years ago when Jesse was here for his first Australian Christmas, I made the decision that we'd incorporate some traditional Southern favourites into our Aussie Christmas feast - and we've been doing it ever since!

Whilst each year our Southern inclusions change, there are two dishes that have become a family favourite; my Healthy Pumpkin Pie Recipe and this delicious Healthy Green Bean Casserole Recipe!

Both dishes are ones we make throughout the year, however, they've become fixtures at both our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and both recipes are ones I am always sharing with friends and family who fall in love with them too!

So let me share the recipe with you! >> 

Lightened Up Green Bean Casserole Recipe serves around 6-8 

low fat, gluten free, healthy, clean eating friendly, vegetarian & vegan option

~500g green beans, washed and trimmed (you can chop them into smaller pieces if desired)

2 small shallots, thinly sliced (not spring onions/scallions)

~2 cups (240g) mushrooms, thinly sliced

1 tsp oil or butter

1 1/2 tbsp cornflour/cornstarch

1/2 cup chicken stock (or vegetable stock) 

1/2 cup milk of your choice (we used unsweetened almond)

2 tbsp parmesan cheese (optional but recommended)

2-3 tbsp crispy fried shallots (optional - find these in the Asian section of your supermarket)

• Preheat your oven to 190C/375F. Get out a medium sized baking dish and set aside.
• Wash and trim your green beans (and chop if desired) and set aside. 
• In a medium sized non-stick saucepan, add your shallots, mushrooms and oil/butter and cook over a medium heat until your mushrooms and shallots have softened and cooked through. 
• Add your cornflour and cook whilst stirring for about 1 minute. 
• Gradually add your chicken stock whilst stirring to ensure everything is smooth and incorporated.
• Add in your milk and parmesan cheese, stirring to combine and seasoning to taste. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until the mix starts to thicken. 
• Mix in your green beans, turn off the heat and pour your green bean mixture into your baking dish. 
• If using, sprinkle the crispy fried shallots over the top of your green bean mix and cover with foil. 
• Bake your green bean casserole for 15 minutes before uncovering and baking for another 5-10 minutes.
• Serve hot and enjoy!

But tell me, what are your favourite Christmas dishes?

And do you have any Christmas traditions you can't celebrate without?

We have lots of Christmas traditions and like to add new ones to the mix every now and again. One of our favourite holiday traditions is Jesse and my ornament collection! Each year we have a custom ornament made that fits with the year we've had. We have engagement and wedding baubles and last year I had a custom Supernatural ornament made as 2014 was the year of our Supernatural obsession (as we watched all 10 seasons back to back :P) 

You'll have to wait and see what I have coming for this year ;)