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Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter an 8-by-8-inch baking dish and set aside.
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For the casserole: Fill a large pot with water.
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Add the garlic and a small handful of salt.
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Bring to a boil and add the potatoes.
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Cook until fork tender, 6 to 8 minutes.
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Remove the potatoes and garlic with a slotted spoon to a sieve to let drain.
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To the same water, add the green beans.
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Bring back to a boil if needed, then simmer until the green beans are bright and tender, 6 to 8 minutes.
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Remove to a sieve.
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In a saute pan on medium heat, add the olive oil, onions, serrano chile and thyme.
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Season with a pinch of salt, a grind or 2 of pepper and paprika.
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Cook until the onions are tender, and then add the mushrooms and Worcestershire sauce, and season again with salt and pepper.
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Cook until the mushrooms release some of their moisture and become tender, about 10 minutes.
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Remove the thyme sprigs and slowly stir in the heavy cream.
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Raise the heat until things begin to bubble.
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Cook at this temperature, while stirring, until the cream thickens a bit, 6 to 8 minutes.
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Once thickened, turn off the heat and stir in the crema.
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In one large bowl, add the potatoes.
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In another large bowl, add the green beans.
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Add the jalapenos to the potatoes.
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Then, add three-quarters of the mushroom mixture to the potatoes and the rest to the green beans.
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Divide the cheese the same way into both bowls.
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Mash the potatoes until combined.
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Press into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
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Stir the green beans until combined, and spread evenly over the top.
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For the topping: Rinse the potato peels and dry as much as possible with paper towels.
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In a bowl, add the potato strips, sage, thyme, paprika and olive oil.
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Season with a pinch of salt and a grind or 2 of pepper.
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Toss and sprinkle evenly over the top of the green beans.
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Bake until the potatoes brown and begin to crisp on the edges, about 30 minutes.
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31
Cook's Note: To prepare in advance, build casserole, but leave off the topping and refrigerate.
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32
Refrigerate the reserved potato peels already cut into strips in a container with water.
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Before baking, rest the casserole at room temperature for about 1 hour, and then make the topping and bake as instructed.