Vegan, gluten-free, paleo green bean casserole

Ingredients

• 1 cup raw cashews
• 3 large shallots, sliced into 1/8 inch thickness
• 1/4 cup almond meal or flour
• 1 tablespoon arrowroot flour (or cornstarch, see note above for other substitutions)
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 7 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 10 ounces brown or white button mushrooms, sliced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 6 medium cloves of garlic, minced or pressed
• 1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans, tips snipped off
• 3 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1 fresh bay leaf or 2 dry bay leaves
• 1 cup vegetable stock
• salt and freshly ground pepper to taste