FRESH GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

6 quarts water, salted

3 lbs fresh green beans trimmed and cut in half

4 large shallots

1 tbsp olive oil

1 1/2 cups coarse fresh bread crumbs

1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (chopped)

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

3 cups milk

3 tbsp butter

1/4 cup flour

1/8 tsp nutmeg

1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 place salted water in 8 quart saucepan. bring to boil add beans. Cook 6 minutes or until beans are bright green in color and just tender. drain well and transfer to shallow 3 qt baking dish.

finely chop 2 shallots Thinly slice remaining 2 shallots set aside. Place olive oil in medium skillet. heat until hot. Add chopped shallots cook 4-7 minutes or till browned and tender. stirring occasionally.. Add bread crumbs cook 2 minutes until dry and golden. stir don’t let burn. put mixture into large mixing bowl stir in thyme 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.

Heat milk in microwave safe measuring cup for 4 minutes.

Melt butter in medium skillet. Add sliced shallots. Cook about 5 minutes or till golden brown and tender. Add flour. cook for 2 minutes stir constantly. Heat and stir approximately 2 minutes or till mixture has a heavy cream consistency . Stir in nutmeg 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 pepper Pour sauce over green beans, gently stir until beans are evenly coated. Stir Parmesan cheese in bread crumb mixture, spread evenly over.

Bake casserole 30 minutes or until bread crumbs are golden brown and sauce ins bubbly.