The-Day-After, Green Bean Casserole (with turkey and bacon)

As mentioned our family was blessed with the holiday icks, aka "the holiday cheer" again this year. Since Stephens ABSOLUTE favorite part of any holiday meal is the green bean casserole I held off to make it fresh when he could savor it and actually appreciate it without worrying...if it will show back up later. (sorry folks) So yesterday we had our follow up "Thanksgiving". Unfortunately my dad wasn't around for the round two supper, for one he missed a great supper, but most unfortunate, we shared a bit too much this thanksgiving. Poor Pop-pop. After fixing a few things up the follow up Thanksgiving's food was probably better than the day of Thanksgiving meal. I missed dad but this time at least I wasn't still lingering with the gross feeling, I was able to fix up the dressing and cook it  all the way through this time, the food was already done the only thing that needed to be made was This.


 

The almighty green bean casserole. Stephens favorite, his one necessity. Honestly I think the green bean casserole does have a bad rep. Most folks think Americana canned soup, canned beans and the fried onions. Although I do standby the canned fried onions I make homemade cream gravy, and usually use fresh or frozen green beans. So with the addition of some leftover turkey this standard casserole was able to shine as something even greater. Although he complained that it was "off" (I think he actually prefers canned green beans, he even used the word soggy...ugh.) I found that it was just as good as ever and I was quite grateful that we had each other, we had our boys... and most importantly we had our health. No more flu, Riley's head's stapled and healing all is good. There's a sink full of dishes still, but hey "we may not have it all together, but together we have it all" that pretty much sums up my generic sentiment on life.

This is a recipe I make using fresh blanched green beans and sometimes frozen as well, I often have a hard time finding and storing green beans that are good quality or "fresh". Sometimes when Stephen urges canned ones. Not a fan of the canned personally but when tradition knocks, or complains I fold. A standard white gravy or bechamel sauce made with bacon drippings, fried onions and crisped bacon turn this into our families version of the traditional pot luck staple. 

The Day After- Green Bean Casserole:

2 pounds blanched green beans

2-3 cups chopped up left over turkey meat

1/2 pound or more bacon pieces (reserve 1-2 tablespoons grease for gravy)

1 recipe cream gravy, made with reserved bacon grease

1 tub of fried onions, I use the entire large can

pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine gravy, turkey, green beans and half of the bacon and onions. Pour into a lightly greased baking dish. Top with remaining onions and crisped bacon. Bake 30-55 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Previously Posted Link to recipe: Homemade Green Bean Casserole