Tag Archives: casserole

Gimmie that Fish!

Like millions of others around the world, my 5-year-old is hooked on McDonald’s catchy commercial for its Filet-o-Fish sandwich. Unless you’ve been living under the sea, then you’ve probably seen the ad, which features Big Mouth Billy Bass belting out: Gimme back that Filet-O-Fish. Gimme that fish! Gimme back that Filet-O-Fish. Gimme me that fish! What if it were you hanging up on this wall? If it were you in that sandwich, you wouldn’t be laughing at all! So give me back that Filet-O-Fish, give me that fish! Yes, nothing says, “Welcome to Lent,” more effectively than a stuffed fish … Continue reading →

Easter Sunday Sides

Easter is traditionally a time when families (immediate and extended) come together to celebrate the season and share a large meal. After all, you can’t have a family gathering without food, right? If you are planning to attend an Easter potluck or you are simply helping your Easter party hostess by preparing a couple of side dishes to supplement the holiday ham or lamb, then consider these easy crowd-pleasing casseroles that are a cinch to make and are loaded with flavor. BAKED POTATO CASSEROLE Ingredients: 1 (2-pound) bag frozen country style hash browns potatoes, thawed slightly 1 (16-ounce) container of … Continue reading →

Recipes for Busy Moms

Aren’t all moms busy? I don’t know a mom out there who would turn down help in the kitchen at mealtime. Unfortunately, I don’t have extra bodies to dispatch to harried moms the world over, but I can suggest some simple and affordable recipes that will help busy cooks create delicious dishes without breaking a sweat. Take a look: CRUNCHY CHICKEN CASSEROLE Ingredients: 4 tablespoons butter 4 stalks celery, diced 1 cup finely diced onion 2 teaspoons garlic salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 2 cans (10 3/4-ounce) condensed cream of chicken soup 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 cup sour cream 2 … Continue reading →

Super Simple Sunday Night Dinner

If you are looking for a quick and easy dinner idea, consider one of my family’s favorites. It includes an entree and dessert, but the recipes won’t drain your budget or take up a ton of valuable family weekend time. The first recipe is lovingly nicknamed Everything But the Kitchen Sink Casserole. It was created from leftover items that I refused to waste. I combined the refrigerated leftovers with a few pantry items and presto—-instant dinner. Dessert is an easy Pistachio Torte that sounds fancier than it really is. You can put it together in less than 20 minutes, though … Continue reading →

Comfort Food Recipes

What’s your favorite comfort food? When I think of comfort food, dishes like pot roast, macaroni and cheese, soup and casseroles come to mind. We may have sprung ahead an hour this past weekend, but Old Man Winter still has our city firmly in his grasp. Consequently, I find myself digging out from under 7 inches of new snow, and digging around for some of my favorite comfort food recipes. Here are a couple of my top picks: CLASSIC CHICKEN CASSEROLE Ingredients: 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts Salt and pepper 1 jar dried beef (try Armour or Hormel) 6 strips … Continue reading →

Weeknight Meals: Simple is Best

If you are a busy home cook, who also does time as the family chauffeur, maid and counselor, then you know simple is best. This is especially true when it comes to getting dinner on the table on hectic school nights. While simple is preferred, it doesn’t mean having to sacrifice texture and flavor. The following recipes illustrate that simple can be tasty and satisfying: SPICY ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND RICE Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds of hot Italian sausage, casings removed (you can use mild if your kids don’t like spicy foods) 5 cups cooked white rice 1 cup cooked wild … Continue reading →

Kick Up Ordinary Chicken with These Tasty and Affordable Recipes

Because of its versatility and affordability, I prepare chicken for dinner at least three times per week. Fortunately, my family enjoys eating “bird” and rarely complains about seeing it appear on their plates so frequently. I attribute this lack of whining in part to my vast chicken recipe collection. The following chicken dishes are among my family’s favorites. Not only are they delicious and simple to prepare, but they taste even better the next day. If you are looking to save time in the kitchen, consider doubling the recipe so you have enough leftovers for later in the week. PEACH … Continue reading →

Pumpkinpalooza—-A Meal Made of Pumpkins

Here’s a themed meal that you don’t have to wait until Halloween to make. Fresh pumpkins are prime for the picking right now. And even if you don’t live near a u-pick farm, local discount stores (Wal-Mart, Target) and supermarkets from coast-to-coast are offering great deals on the vibrant and versatile orange fruit. If you are looking for a way to get into the holiday spirit consider adding the following pumpkin recipes to your fall menu. The first recipe for The Ultimate Pumpkin Casserole will be the talk of the table, especially since the dish is cooked and served inside … Continue reading →

Autumn Recipes: H is for Ham

Ham and bananas… they are among my preschooler’s favorite foods, regardless of the season. However, I would have never dreamed of pairing the two in a casserole. That is, until I saw Food Network chef Paula Deen do so with her usual aplomb on TV a few months ago. I swear that woman can make dirt look good enough to eat. Deen’s Cheesy Ham and Banana Casserole is a hit in my home (mainly due to the crushed potato chips that dot it) and is the prefect dish to pass at a fall potluck. It also makes for a wonderfully … Continue reading →

Week Night Menu: Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole & Potato Soup

This is a hearty weeknight meal that is very filling. If you have a food processor, the prep is a breeze but even if you don’t, you can do things the night before. Gather Your Ingredients for the Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole: 8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves 8 slices ham 8 slices Swiss cheese 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup 1 cup sour cream 1/2 cup white wine 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon dried parsley 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 (6 ounce) package herb-seasoned dry bread stuffing mix Gather Your Ingredients … Continue reading →