Tasty Tuesdays: #26

It is officially t minus 10 days until Christmas. Wowzers! I swear to you we were just bringing in the year 2009. That's not to say a ton hasn't happened this year, but it just seems like it really flew by.

Be that as it may, have you planned the menu for your Christmas dinner? If not, what are you waiting for? More recipes from Tasty Tuesdays? If that's the case, you're in luck today. I'm bringing you another recipe for your holiday feast.

This recipe is for a green bean side dish, but no, it does not come off the can of fried onions. It also doesn't involve cream of mushroom soup or canned green beans. I know many shudder at the thought of breaking tradition (i.e. you always serve the green bean casserole with the fried onions on top), but some rules were meant to be broken. Why not whip up a new tradition with bold flavors and fresh ingredients? Now that's a tradition worth keeping!

The original recipe comes from Better Homes and Gardens, but I tweaked the ingredients just a smidge and altered some of the directions.

Green bean bake revisited

Ingredients:
1 large sweet onion (I use yellow), cut into 1-inch wedges
2-3 T of olive oil
3 T packed brown sugar
2 lb. fresh or frozen whole green beans, trimmed
1 package of baby portobello mushrooms, sliced
1 T soy sauce
2 t balsamic vinegar
6 oz. goat cheese, softened
2 T milk

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add onions and cook covered over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes. Add brown sugar and cook over medium-high heat for 3 to 5 minutes or until onions are golden and caramelized. Set aside.

2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Steam the green beans in the microwave or in a small amount of boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain.

3. Place the green beans and mushrooms in a baking dish. Combine soy sauce and balsamic vinegar and pour over vegetables, tossing to coat. Roast for 20 minutes, stirring once, until crisp tender.

4. Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl beat together cheese and milk. Spoon cheese mixture over the green beans and top with caramelized onions.

5. Return to oven and bake 8-10 minutes or until cheese and onions are heated through.

Here's a look at the finished product. It's on the right side (in case you're unable to identify green beans).


I bet adding some fresh figs would really put this over the top. Hmmm...I might just do that when I make this for our Christmas dinner.

So, what do you think? Will you break tradition and bring something new to the table? Or are you scared of goat cheese and/or the snarky looks you may receive from family members who just want the good 'ole recipes they've eaten for 20 years? I challenge you to be bold and bring at least one new dish to the table this year.

Reader question: What is your family's tradition for Christmas dinner? Is it the standard turkey/ham meal or do you have something unique to your own family?

P.S. Tune in next week for a special guest post on Tasty Tuesdays!!!