Pre-heat the oven to 350°F.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add the EVOO and butter and sauté the shallots and garlic until fragrant and soft. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the flour over top of the softened shallots and garlic and cook about 1 minute. Stir in the buttermilk, sour cream and cream cheese; reduce until thick and creamy-looking, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chopped fresh herbs and lemon zest, salt and pepper.
While the ranch sauce is thickening, blanch the green beans: Bring 2 inches of water to a boil in a large saucepot. Salt it and cook the beans for 2-3 minutes. Drain and shock in ice water.
Add the green beans to the creamy ranch sauce and toss to combine. Pour into a medium size casserole dish and top with fried onions. Bake for 45 minutes, or until bubbly and brown.
This is one of many “Yum-o!” recipes – it’s good and good for you. To find out more about Yum-o!, Rachael’s nonprofit organization, visit
www.yum-o.org.