Healthy Alternative to The Green Bean Casserole

So my mom and I are in our 3rd week of weight watchers. This is somewhat embarrassing to admit but not as embarrassing as putting on my clothes and finding that none of them fit anymore!

Those of you who are familiar with Weight Watchers knows that the program assigns points to all food and each person gets a certain amount of points per day. 22 is my magic number and in a recent weight watchers meeting we calculated how many points is in our traditional Thanksgiving dinner. I guessed about 20-25 but I discovered that our family's usual Thanksgiving, including appetizers, dinner, and dessert, is 40 points! And guess what that does not include...WINE! :)

So my mom and I worked hard to shave off the points and calories by replacing traditional, aka fattening, Thanksgiving dishes with healthier options. Instead of green bean casserole (a whopping 4 points for every 3/4 cup) we will be having a delicious green bean saute with mushrooms and pearl onions. Still festive, still delicious but only a quarter of the fat and calories. One serving = 1 weight watcher's point! Make it right before you want to serve it.

Sauteed Green Beans, Mushrooms, and Pearl Onions

Makes 8-10 servings

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 bag pearl onions (frozen and thawed slightly)

1 small container sliced button mushrooms

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 lbs green beans

Directions: Place a medium sized saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the butter and once it begins to melt add the olive oil (measure it out! eye balling will increase the fat & calories!). Once the butter has melted with the olive oil and they are almost smoking, add the pearl onions. Increase the heat to high and cook the onions until they begin to caramelize (about 5 minutes) and then add the mushrooms and garlic. Stir everything together and cook until the mushrooms soften, about 4-5 more minutes. Finally, stir in your green beans and allow to cook until desired doneness. I like mine soft but with color, which will probably take 5 more minutes but if you like yours crisp, only saute about 3 more minutes.

Pour everything into a serving bowl and enjoy!