What is so great about Green Bean Casserole?

Question

I have eaten green breen casserole many times. I neither like it, nor dislike it. I can take it or leave it. Could someone please explain to me what all the fuss over this dish is? People go ga-ga over this stuff. If it turns up at a restaurant buffet, or church potluck dinner, or Thanksgiving, etc, people are all like "OOOOOooo green bean casserole!!!" and flock to it like it is the food of the gods, or something. What is so great about green bean casserole?

Answer 1

I think it has to do with nostalgia and comfort food, like macaroni and cheese and meatloaf. Personally I could do without it. Why spoil a perfectly good green bean with overly salted canned soup?

Answer 2

Well, when casseroles made with soup first came around in the 50's and early 60's green bean casserole was considered quite the gourmet thing...and easy to fix! Since then its become pretty standard fare at your holiday table. Sort of like turkey and stuffing! Here is an alternative recipe for green bean casserole that you might like:

11/2 lb fresh green beans, picked over and trimmed
1 yellow onion, sliced and separated into rings
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 lb exotic mushrooms (or you can use crimini or button)sliced
2 cups half and half
1/2 cube butter
3 -4 T flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper

Saute mushrooms, garlic and onion in olive oil until tender and translucent. Steam green beans until crisp tender, drain. Melt butter in saucepan and add flour to make a rue. Add half and half, salt and pepper. Stir until thickened and smooth. Mix mushroom mixture with green beans and sauce. Put in a baking dish and dot with goat cheese. Bake for 45 minutes in a 350 degree oven or until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbly.

Answer 3

Think about the thing that you like most in the world...that is how I am with green bean casserole. Some people don't get all that excited about food but for those of us that do...green bean casserole is it!

Answer 4

If done properly (with mushroom soup and fried onion rings) it a gourmand's delight. The thing is that you are taking an ordinary vegetable and turning it into something very tasty.

Answer 5

Nothing! Just give me some nice green beans

Answer 6

Use the mushroom soup with the roasted garlic in it, instead of the plain and heavy cream instead of milk...

Now that's good!

Answer 7

I am with you on this one. I like green beans just the way they are. Why do people have to make them bad for you by adding creamed soup and FRIED onions?

Gross.

Answer 8

I don't know, I've never eaten it. . .I would guess that it is so spectacular because of the time taken to make it? Hmm, I would love to know the answer to this question, too.

Answer 9

Well I don't know 'bout you Silver but I would agree with jeannette..that sounds yummy:)

Answer 10

It's tasty. You don't have to like everything!