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Thursday, July 1, 2010

The Food From Lake Woebegon: Share A Spoon

When Think Tank Momma announced that this week's theme for Share a Spoon was casseroles, I was all, "Yo, bitch, I got this."

I am a Lutheran with German heritage. My extended family is from Illinois. I married a Norwegian Lutheran with family from Wisconsin. When our families joined forces, it was an epic pairing.

Between the two of us, we have made our own maple syrup, skated on actual ice, had lumberjack relatives, enjoyed lutefisk and picked herring, and been bitten by an actual Muskie. (Paul did most of these.)

I find coffee cups that say, 'This is most certainly Brew" hilarious. I can tell you all about Martin Luther, including the fact that he turned out to be an anti-Semite.

Not especially proud of that one.

I listen to Garrison Keillor not so much as a talented essayist, but more as an anthropologist, reporting on the goings-on of my own milk-faced, frozen culture.

So, yeah, when I found it was going to be casseroles, or as we call it, "hotdish," I knew this was my week to shine.

All casseroles have a few required ingredients:

1) Mayonnaise? Check.

2) A can of cream of something soup? Naturally

3) A mystery ingredient that adds icky texture? Ahhhhhhhh yeah.


This recipe, I admit, comes from Paula Deen, who is totally not a Midwestern Lutheran. (Also, in the spirit of total disclosure, I have lived in Arizona and Maryland, but never in the Midwest. I am a wanna-be, similar to Marky Mark).

Anyway, here it is:


Chicken and Rice Casserole
  • 2 (14 1/2-ounce) can green beans, drained and rinsed
  • 3 cups diced cooked chicken
  • 1 medium onion, diced and sauteed
  • 1 (8-ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and chopped
  • 1 (4-ounce) can pimentos, drained
  • 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 (6-ounce) box long-grain and wild rice, cooked according to package directions
  • 1 cup grated sharp Cheddar
  • Pinch salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix all ingredients together

Pour into a greased 3-quart casserole dish. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly.


(Playing on the floor with cooking utensils is optional).

It's really good. Enjoy it.

That's all the news from Lake Woebegon. Good night.

Think Tank Momma

28 comments:

Rebecca said...

That looks good.....and I agree a can of cream of something is always in my pantry and.....wow, I love casseroles.

Minivan Lover said...

I've always thought you had a Marky-Mark quality about you. Who knew it would show itself through casseroles.

I do have to say, my casseroles always involve shredded cheese. It's a rule.

adrienzgirl said...

This sounds yummy. I like green beans and I love chicken! Mmmm-hmmm!

Thanks for Sharing!

Buffee said...

I <3 Paula! She's my hero! I'm definitely going to try this one out!

I'm all about me some cheese!

Lothiriel said...

THIS LOOKS SO GOOD!!!!!! I'm going to make it!!

*saving it to my favorites*

Marla said...

Oh my heavens.....this is MY life! Married to a Lutheran Danish/Norwegian. Abelskivers and Oksefilet in my recipe file. Listening to Garrison Keillor on Sunday after church. And the casseroles!!

Too funny, Nancy!!!

Tracie said...

That looks good. Though I'd have to substitute something for the mayo because of my 'issues'.

Beth Zimmerman said...

Not sure I've ever had mayonnaise and cream of something together in the same dish. Even though I married a Texan Lutheran (all of his grandparents were from Germany).

KristinFilut said...

Wait, are you saying that not everyone has skated on actual ice? You mean, some people have NEVER BEEN ON A FROZEN LAKE?!?!?!? I need to regroup.....

The hotdish recipe sounds yummy.

Cat said...

NOM!

Ice skating! Sounds like fun, never done that.

Muliebrity said...

Am I the only one who thinks this sounds disgusting? ::shudder::

Mrs4444 said...

yummmmmm

Lothiriel said...

mmmmmmmmm....!!! I so want to make this one!!!!!!

Claudya Martinez said...

I didn't grow up eating too many casseroles, but I sure do like them not. Right after I had my daughter, my friend brought over this brown rice, cheese, and broccoli casserole and I think I ate almost all of it by myself.

Hey, will you do me a favor? If my feed is not updating in your reader or dashboard will you un-follow and re-follow. I am beyond frustrated that I can't get it to update for some people.

Have a wonderful 4th! Can't wait to hear what you guys do.

Traci said...

This Southern Methodist thinks that casserole sounds WONDERFUL!!!
:-)
Traci

Bekah said...

This post reminded me so much of my late mother... my family is Lutheran to the bone (German) and Garrison was a fixture on our radio after church on Sundays. All good Lutherans must have 2 things on hand at all times... cream-of-something soup and beer!

Stephanie said...

Oh this sounds soo creamy and delish!

Anonymous said...

I love to listen to Garrison. His voice is so calming. And funny at the same time.

Hotdish? Hilarious. I love this, and I have never heard it before. Awesome.

Ms. Moon said...

Southerners and Lutherans have a lot in common when it comes to good-eatin'. I have a broccoli casserole which is very much like this one although there is only broccoli in there. No rice or chicken or even water chestnuts. Just mayonnaise, cheese, cream of broccoli soup, and eggs. We top it with crushed cheese nips. And yes, it is delicious.
As to Garrison- yesterday when I was in the waiting room at an Urgent Care place, I was reading his syndicated column in the paper and it struck me as how wonderful it would be if I could stand up, right there, in front of all the waiting sick people and read it out loud for everyone. I am a great out-loud reader and everyone would have felt so much better if I had done that. My reading, Garrison's words. A sort of healing right there in the waiting room. I wish I had the courage to do things like that.

Coby said...

This hot dish crosses religious boundaries into Mormon territory. My mom and I always joke that our Mormon relatives LOVE to put cream of anything soup in just about everything! If it ain't soupy, it ain't right!

shortmama said...

Sounds yummy! I love casseroles!

Jen said...

Next week: bars and coffee! Rhubarb bars! And egg coffee! With more bars! And a side of guilt!
Yeah. Lutheran on both sides here, but considerably stronger on Tom's side.
Jen from Laughing at Chaos

michelle said...

I'm lots of norwegian on my mom's side. And I do remember loving those creamy casseroles as a kid.

I don't have the balls or the stomach to introduce my kids to casseroles made with cream of anything soup. Part of me is scared I'll hear "this is gross" yet another time. Part of me is scared they'll love it!

Organic Motherhood with Cool Whip said...

I'm all about that recipe. I have a recipe for poppyseed chicken that uses cream of chicken soup in it and it is the bomb. Gonna have to try this one too. Mmmmmmmm...now I'm hungry.

Holly Lefevre said...

Love the lea din about what all casseroles must have. I hardly ever make casseroles...probably because I do not have any good recipes...but making my way through Share a Spoon is changing that for sure!

Melani said...

I love casseroles! This one sounds yummy! Although I would have to substitute the chicken for my fake chicky nuggs, LOL!

I am from Lutheran background, too. My mom was raised Lutheran and my dad Catholic, he converted for my mom when they got married. His parents didn't talk to them for 2 yrs I think...then I find out that my dad's Dad, my Grandpa, was raised Lutheran and he converted to Catholic for my Grandma! How weird is that????

j said...

"Where are all the women are strong, the men are good looking, and the children are above average."

Jenny from NAU

dek said...

You have a lot of Lutheran followers. Sola fide, sola gratia, sola mayonnaise.