Salmon with Lentils

Make this meal ahead of time and then pop it in the oven for a healthy weeknight meal when you're pressed for time.
Directions for: Chicken and Green Bean Casserole

Ingredients

Salt

1 lb(s) green beans, trimmed and cut into thirds

1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

lb(s) button mushrooms, sliced

4 Tbsp butter

2 large shallots, chopped

3 - 4 cloves garlic, chopped

Pepper

2 Tbsp fresh thyme, chopped

4 Tbsp flour

cup dry white wine

2 cups chicken stock/poaching liquid from Poached Chicken, recipe follows

1 cup cream or half-and-half

1 wheel Boursin (5.4oz), or other garlic-and-herb cheese

1 lb(s) cooked pulled or sliced Poached Chicken, recipe follows

2 - 3 Tbsp fresh tarragon, chopped or 1 Tbsp dried tarragon

Fried Onions, homemade or store-bought, recipe follows

Fried Onions

Frying oil

1 small to medium onion, very thinly sliced

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup flour, aggressively seasoned with salt, pepper and paprika

Poached Chicken

4 - 5 lb(s) chicken

2 ribs celery, coarsely chopped

1 carrot, peeled and coarsely chopped

1 onion, peeled and quartered

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 lemon, sliced

1 large fresh bay leaf

1 tsp whole black peppercorns

Herb bundle of parsley, rosemary and thyme tied with a string

Salt

Directions

1. For the casserole: Heat a few inches of water to a low boil, add salt and the green beans and cook 3 to 4 minutes to tender-crisp, drain.

2. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium to medium-high heat, add the mushrooms and lightly brown them, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the butter, shallots and garlic, season with salt, pepper and thyme, and stir 2 to 3 minutes more. Add the flour, stir a minute, add the wine, stir in the stock and thicken. Add the cream and Boursin and reduce the heat to simmer. Add the green beans and chicken and thicken a bit; stir in the tarragon.

3. Transfer into a casserole dish and cool. Cover and refrigerate for a make-ahead meal.

4. To reheat: Bring back to room temp. Bake at 375F until bubbly, 50 to 60 minutes; top with homemade or store-bought Fried Onions.

Fried Onions

1. For the fried onions: Heat 2 to 3 inches of frying oil to 365F in a countertop fryer or in a deep medium pot over medium to medium-high heat. Separate the onion rings and soak in the buttermilk. Toss a few rings at a time into the flour and fry until crisp; drain on paper towels and repeat with the remaining onions.

Poached Chicken

1. Place the chicken in a large stockpot. Add the celery, carrot, onion, garlic, lemon, bay leaf, peppercorns and the herb bundle; season with salt. Cover the chicken with water and bring to a boil; reduce the heat to a low, rolling simmer. Simmer 60 to 75 minutes, then cool the chicken in its stock. Strain the stock. Remove the chicken in large pieces from the skin and bones. Cut half of the meat into bite-size chunks. Thinly slice or pull the remaining meat.

See more: Casserole, Cheese, Chicken, Dinner