Vegan Green Bean Casserole *RECIPE*

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So I have been thinking for days on what to bring to my family's house for Thanksgiving.  I have envisioned my family savoring the deliciousness of a Thanksgiving staple dish- so I wanted to bring something traditional and cozy with the hopes of fooling them about it being vegan!

A few days passed and voila!  I have created a dish that can make my vision a reality. It passed my test with flying colors and I know it will defintely make a splash with my family. The vegan green bean and gravy casserole has arrived!

This dish hits the comfort food spot and is packed with nutrition. Both the mung beans and green beans are a perfect anti-inflammatory food loaded with protein for health nuts out there. The pistachios make this dish taste so yummy and nutty and to top it off, it's a protein booster too!Need I say more!?

*Now, the key is in roasting your already soaked, raw, organic, pistachios for all you clenasers out there. There is no better pistachio than home roasted pistachio.Please follow my blog instructions for easy to soak and dry instructions for all nuts and seeds.  This will add the crunchy punch to your dish and the many health benefits that you may not have been aware of, but who cares because now you know!The onions make this dish a level 4 on The 40 Day Green Cleanse and oh boy,  the caramelized onions are so delish!   Oh my, I get so excited and next time I make this dish I'm going to add mushrooms. Why? Because I can!Level 4 is more of a lifestyle choice vs a cleanse on the program.  This means the dish is anti-inflammatory and has many health benefits while using foods (onions) that benefit your health conscious diet.I can't wait to see my family's reaction and I can't wait to hear all of your thoughts.

If you love this dish check out my 2 other holiday vegan favorites; Cheesy Vegan Cauliflower Mash and Green Herb Cauliflower Rice.  And, try your hand at making wonderful low glycemic and tasty dessert treat; Matcha Green Tea Balls.  enJOY~

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon coconut oil

1/2 of a large onion- thin/medium sliced

1 Tablespoon Braggs Amino Acids

2 pounds of green beans with ends cut off

1/4 cup already prepared organic pistachios (soaked and dried)Ingredients for Green Gravy Sauce:

2 cups of water1 teaspoon olive oil

3/4 cup soaked mung beans (soaked overnight)

2 green onions minced1 serrano pepper minced (optional)

4 garlic cloves minced

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup culinary coconut milk (or more)Purchase above items at your local health food stores and farmers markets.

Remember always choose organic!

mung

Sauce

Mince 4 garlic cloves,

one serrano pepper,

2 stalks of green onions.

Place a small sauce pan over the stove and heat on medium. Sauté the ingredients until they turn fragrant on the stove with 1 teaspoon of olive oil.

Next add 2 cups of water, salt, pepper and add the soaked mung beans.

Bring to a boil. Once it boils quickly reduce heat to simmer for 20 minutes.  

Stir in 1/2 cup coconut milk and stir for 3 minutes. 

Remove from heat.Pour the mix in a vitamin or blender and blend on high for a few minutes until creamy.

Add more coconut milk iff needed for consistency.   Set aside.

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Pistachio topping

Place 1/2 cup of already prepared pistachios in a dry blender or vitamix.

Blend on high until the nuts are pulverized.

I like to leave them on the chunky side vs powdery side.

Set aside.

Green beans

In a large steamer place your green beans until they turn bright green.

Do not overcook them because you want them to have a crunch.

Remove from heat and place the beans in a casserole dish (or 2 glass pie dishes).

*You may also bring a large pot of water to boil. Add beans and remove once they turn bright green. Place the beans immediately in cool water to stop the cooking process.

Set aside.

onoions

Onions

In a hot pan add coconut oil and sliced onions on medium/high heat.

Cook the onions for 3-4 minutes.

Once they are brown on one side, add your brags amino acid and stir in for a minute or so.

Once they look caramelized all over they are done.

Remove them from the heat.

Serve

Now It's time for the magic!  

Toss the onions with the green gravy sauce (you may have left-over sauce), add the onions, and stir in half of the pistachio topping all together.

Sprinkle the rest of the pistachio topping over the top and ready to serve!From my inner-g to yours~Yve  

Join our next program?  www.the40daygreencleanse.com. You can also learn more about us by visiting our Facebook and Instagram pages!~

*Note to cleansers: You can make this dish a level 1, 2, or 3 pretty easily by checking the allowance files and either ommiting or replacing foods that suit your level.