Ingredients:
2 slices bacon, chopped
3 cups sliced fresh mushrooms ( about 10 ounces)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 tablespoons butter or 3 tablespoons margarine, divided
2 cups chopped yellow onions
6 cups cut fresh green beans, in 1 inch pieces
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme or 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
1/2 cup whole milk or 1/2 cup 2% low-fat milk
2 pie crusts ( use your favorite recipe, or buy prepared)
1 eggs
1 tablespoon half-and-half or 1 tablespoon cream
Directions:
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, fry the chopped bacon until soft and just beginning to crisp.
Reduce to medium heat, add the sliced mushrooms, garlic, olive oil, and 1 tablespoon butter and saute until the mushrooms are tender (careful not to burn the garlic); remove from pan and set aside.
Add the remaining butter into the skillet and saute the yellow onions and green beans for 18 to 20 minutes or until the beans are crisp-tender (careful not to overcook).
Stir in the thyme, cumin, green onion, salt, pepper, cream cheese, milk and mushrooms and cook until the cheese is melted.
Remove from the heat and set aside.
Spray a deep-dish 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray, dust it with about 1 teaspoon of flour, and then line it with one of the pie crusts.
Pour the green bean mixture into the bottom crust, evening it across the top.
Cut the remaining crust into 10 to 12 strips.
Make a lattice crust: begin with the shortest strips and lay one strip across the pie vertically near the left edge, then lay another short strip horizontally near the top edge; continue, laying strips alternately vertically and horizontally, until you have a lattice; trim, seal and flute the edge.
In a small bowl, beat together the egg and cream and then brush over the lattice crust top.
Bake at 400F for 25 to 35 minutes or until golden brown.
Notes: we made this for Thanksgiving again this year (2004) and I’m reminded how absolutely tasty it is! We made some minor alterations: 1) prebaked the bottom crust because we’re having to travel with the dish several hours before serving, 2) I used haricot verts instead of regular green beans, and decreased the cooking time on the beans, 3) added a bit of ground sage to the sauteed onions, and 4) instead of doing a lattice I took the top crust and cut decorative shapes into it before laying it over the top. I took photos and have posted them, although they’re not terribly good pics, they might give you an idea of what it looked like this year. I hope you enjoy both the recipe and the pics! 🙂
Servings: 8-10
Time preparation: 30 min.
Time total: 65 min.