Dairy-Free Green Bean Casserole

Ingredients and Weight:

• Green Beans: 500 grams (about 1 pound)
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: 3 tablespoons
• Garlic: 4 cloves, minced
• Shallots or Onions: 2, chopped
• Fresh Thyme: 1 tablespoon, chopped
• Breadcrumbs: 1 cup (can be gluten-free)
• Salt and Pepper: to taste

Preparation Time:

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty Level:

Level 3 (Moderate difficulty)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. In a large pot of boiling water, blanch the green beans for 2-3 minutes to brighten their color and remove any toughness. Drain and set aside.
3. In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with the chopped thyme, a little salt, and pepper. Set aside.
4. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and shallots, and cook until softened.
5. Add the green beans to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine.
6. Transfer the green beans to a baking dish and top with the breadcrumb mixture.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the breadcrumbs are golden and the green beans are tender.

Nutritional Information:

• Calories: Approx. 250 per serving (based on division of recipe for 8 people)
• Fat: 12g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Protein: 8g

Dish Characteristics:

• Vegan-friendly
• Gluten-free option available (using gluten-free breadcrumbs)
• Full of flavor without dairy ingredients
• Great as a side dish or vegetarian main course

User Comments:

1. "This dish was a hit with my family! The green beans were tender and the breadcrumb topping was delicious."
2. "I made this for a vegetarian friend and they loved it. The flavor was spot on."
3. "I used gluten-free breadcrumbs and it was still excellent."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Be sure to use fresh green beans for best results. If using canned green beans, they may lack the fresh flavor and texture.
• Adjust seasoning to taste, as everyone's preference for salt and pepper may vary.
• If you want to add more depth of flavor, you can use a vegetable broth instead of plain water for blanching the green beans.