Today a ready made Thanksgiving menu for you to use or get inspiration from. I am excited to join my blogging pals to share some fresh new Thanksgiving recipes to help your planning this year. My contribution is the most delicious version of green bean casserole with a few California additions like mushrooms and walnuts.
This excellent recipe (I am always into greens), brings in mushrooms and walnuts cooked in a browned shallot butter that is so yum. I haven’t made for a few years, so I recreated it on Monday and we confirmed it is still a family favorite.
Are you thinking of Thanksgiving yet? Max and I were adulting the other night, and started on our Thanksgiving menu early. We dug out our Thanksgiving binder to revisit the past year’s notes on what worked. I highly recommend that you start one if you make Thanksgiving often.
In this binder, I have only Thanksgiving related recipes and table setting inspiration photos saved over the years. It’s kind of nice to look through and remember past dinners, and years like 2020 when we ate outside with blankets over us! My favorite is a binder paper with my mom’s beautiful handwritten note for me on how to cook a turkey. I treasure it.
Thanksgiving night or the day after, we jot down a new sheet for that year, what we served and who came to dinner. You’d be surprised how helpful it is the next time, and what we forget- like the size of the turkey to order by guests, how we juggled the cooking times with one oven, and what we did with seating. Recipes get the thumbs up or meh and it reminds us the next year what to attempt (or not) again.
Some of my favorite Thanksgiving tables from past years..
My recipe was inspired from those booklets that Williams-Sonoma used to make every year. Not sure if they still do that. We used to have a beautiful WS in our town of Los Gatos I still miss very much. I have modified this recipe, but that was the original inspiration. I have learned it needs less butter and shallots and it’s still fantastic and less greasy.
My steps…
A few notes
Start with fresh beans and if you can, get organic. I like to buy them just a couple days before, or sometimes I can grab them at our local Farmer’s Market on the Sunday before.
The mushrooms need to be bought only a day or two before. I like them stemmed and thickly chopped.
The original recipe called for 8 shallots which is a LOT. I find two large ones work for a fairly large casserole and is super flavorful.
I use an oval Le Creuset casserole dish to serve and warm it with boiling water just before transferring it from the saute pan.
Green Beans with Mushrooms and Walnuts
Ingredients
Method
- In a large pot of salted water boil green beans until tender around five minutes. Remove promptly to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking, drain and set aside.Melt the butter carefully and slowly over medium heat until brown bits start to show and oil turns light gold approx. 5 minutes. Add the sliced shallots and let cook until tender another 5 minutes or so, stirring occasionally. Add mushrooms and stir frequently until tender 5-7 min. Add the salt and pepper to taste.Stir in green beans and walnuts until warmed through. I like to cover the whole thing for a few minutes. Check that all is hot and if any more salt or pepper is needed. Transfer to the warmed dish if not serving off the stove.
Some things you may need..
My casserole dish, my Glenna dishes and cute entertaining pieces I like..
Please stop by my friend’s blogs and check out their wonderful recipes. I think you’ll be inspired by this group that knows their food…
Most Lovely Things– Apple Cake with Brown Butter Caramel Frosting
Cindy Hattersley Design – Autumn Harvest Salad
Classic Casual Home– Cheesy Mashed Baked Potatoes With Peas
Make Mine a Spritzer – Cornbread Bacon Red Pepper Dressing
Pinecones & Acorns – Cranberry Panna Cotta
Sheri Silver – Parker House Rolls
I’d love to know if any of you have made this recipe or something familiar? Please share in comments any great Thanksgiving recipe or family favorite. I am always looking to add to my list!
Thank you for stopping by the blog. See you on Saturday for the Weekend Meander.
Kim
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Kim, this is the recipe we use from those little Williams Sonoma books. I have several from the early 2000s. I love all of your fall-inspired tables! Pinned!
Annie, aren’t those little books treasures? I have so many good recipes from them.
Your skillet cake is pretty and the perfect thing to bring to a gathering.
Thank you for getting us all together!
Kim, I love your Thanksgiving binder idea! And the treasured recipe from your mom that is priceless.
My husband will love this green bean recipe! I cannot wait to make it.
HAve a blessed Thanksgiving my friend.
xo
Elizabeth let me know how the green beans go over!
Loved your panna cotta. It was gorgeous and I am adding it to my list. x
Kim! I love how thoughtful you are about your holiday menus and tables. How special to have that binder to look through each year … and your mom’s handwritten turkey instructions. Green beans are my favorite veggie side. I love the vibrant color and crunch of a well cooked green bean. I mean, remember the soft mushy ones of a bygone ( thank goodness) era. (Sorry, mom.) Anyway, I’ve pinned and printed your delicious recipe. Happy Thanksgiving. xo
Thanks Juliet, I am glad I did keep all the notes and inspo.
I always say I’d choose my dad’s home grown green beans with butter as my last meal! Too bad he doesn’t have any at this time of year… No idea where they grow. Maybe So Cal? Yeah I’m with you no mushy.. must be crunchy. The 70’s food was meh.
I can’t wait to try your stuffing too. xo
What a lovely post and recipe Kim – I feel like green vegetables always get overlooked at the Thanksgiving table but this colorful dish looks delicious and sophisticated!
Thank you so much Sheri. It’s a good one! I thought your rolls were gorgeous. The honey butter alone…
Fun doing this! x
Hi Kim,
How touching that you have your mother’s hand written note on how to cook a turkey. What a sentimental treasure to have. Smart of you and Max to keep a binder for reference. It’s so easy to forget from year to year. Your tables look great.
Your bean recipe sounds and looks good. Thanks for sharing.
So much to be thankful and grateful for. It’s hard to believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner.
We have been invited to our extended family again in Scottsdale. Where there probably will be 30 to 40 people invited. I always bring my Pumpkin Cookies that I’ve been baking since I was a little girl living at home. Also I will bring home baked chocolate chip cookies for those that aren’t crazy about a Pumpkin cookie. I hope it will be a warm day because we sit outside.
Have a WONDERFUL weekend. I’m still a bit sad and healing slowly.
Thanks Katherine. I am so glad I have my mom’s note.
How fun to be with so many in Scottsdale! Oh pumpkin cookies sound wonderful.
You have to share that recipe. How sweet you’ve been making them since you were a girl.
I know me too.. Be good to yourself now. xo
I want to make this tonight!! Pinned it.
Happy Thanksgiving, Kim.
Let me know! I loved your crispy potatoes. I know my kids would love them. x
Hi Kim
I always make a similar green bean and almond option. I think I will switch it up this year and make these! They sound fabulous! What a great idea to keep a notebook! I have all of my aunt Dodo’s recipes. We always made cranberry relish together at Thanksgiving. It would be fun to pass on to Summer!
I loved your beautiful salad! So California!!
I think these binders are so good to have. Great idea keeping it for Summer. x
We celebrate Thanksgiving in October in Canada, so I can keep these recipes for Christmas or next year. Great collaboration, women!!
Thank you, too, for the lovely table setting photos.
Oh we should do that! We need a longer holiday season.
Aw thanks Jenny.
I love all your table looks. For a creative person, I am SO BORING on Thanksgiving!
I use my best linens and good china and silver every year. The only thing I change up are the place settings and flowers.
I always say I am going to be more creative and I never do….maybe this year!!!???
Your green beans look delish. Unfortunately – my family likes southern green beans cooked with ham – they are cooked within an inch of their lives – well actually they are cooked to death. ☠️