SO, today I am thinking about something that makes me really happy and I LOVE it!
The older kids, Nathan and Emily, get together about once a week and cook. Isn't that the best?! They cook, eat together and then divide the leftovers. So cool! (They see each other at other times as well).
They are spending time together frequently. That is so wonderful to me!
A couple of weeks ago, I was coming home from Denver with a friend, we had gone to the temple together and I got a call from the kids with cooking questions. To have them together...out there...cooking and calling me, well, it made a really great day even better!
Since they are asking for recipes and instructions from me, I now have to make things and MEASURE in order to give them some sort of a recipe. :) Good thing I love to cook!
It is fun! It makes my day when they call for help with a recipe or to tell me of their triumphs in the kitchen and/or funny stories in the kitchen.
Smash loves that they are cooking together because he has decided that since I have to work on recipes, I will probably post more recipes here.
And he is correct (about that).
So here is a recipe that I made many years ago. It's probably been nearly 20 since I have made it; I came across it the other day while looking for something else.
I thought it might be a good one for the kids to try and may be a good one for Nathan to make when he is chef for the house. I'm not usually a casserole sort of cook. But it can be an easy way to make a meal. And sometimes it is a great way to stretch that good ol' grocery budget.
Smash, Meg and Jonathan really liked this so I will be making it for them again.
French Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
1 lb. fresh broccoli, chopped, steam for 2 minutes.*
3 c. cooked chicken breasts, diced**
3 c. grated cheddar cheese (or combo) divided
2 tubes Ritz crackers
1 stick melted butter
1 tablespoon poppy seeds(It calls for Ritz crackers...has to be good!)
SAUCE:
1/3 c. butter melted
1/4 c. cornstarch, dissolved in 1/2 c. COLD water***
1/3 c. chicken broth
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 c milk
1 1/2 cups of the above cheddar cheeseDirections:
In a 9X13 pan, layer the broccoli and chicken.
Make sauce: In saucepan over med. heat, combine the melted butter with all the liquids and the salt and pepper. Continually stir while on the heat until sauce thickens. Add 1 & 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese, melt on low heat. Pour sauce over chicken and broccoli and then sprinkle with remaining 1 & 1/2 cups cheese.
Crush Ritz crackers in a large ziploc bag with a rolling pin. (Don't crush them too finely). Pour cracker crumbs and poppy seeds into 1 stick of melted butter and sprinkle over the cheese.
Bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes or so. Look for it to be bubbly and nicely browned on top.
Notes:
*If you wanted to make this without the chicken, I think adding steamed cauliflower to the broccoli would be really good. Baby carrots might be good with the broccoli and cauliflower also.
**A rotisserie chicken is a huge time saver, if needed.
***When I made this years ago, I believe I changed the recipe a little and sautéed onion and made a roux instead of thickening with cornstarch. But the recipe turned out fine as is. (The next time I make it I will try the roux method again - just to see if I like it better).
Not the best picture. This was the next day just after re-warming. It really tastes a lot better than it looks! (It does look very nice in the pan though).
I love that the kids are together and that they have each other. I love that they are cooking together. AND I love that they pretend to need my advice on occassion. :)
“Cooking is like love, it should be entered into with abandon or not at all.”
- Harriet Van Horne, 10/1956
Ha! Smash and I had the same thought. As soon as I read that you would be measuring things out now, I thought, "Gee, I hope that means she'll post some more recipes!"
Do you remember that recipe software Tyler got me for Christmas two years ago? (I showed it to you in your kitchen.) A good chunk of the recipes I've recorded in there are yours!
And I am so glad that Nathan and Emily are getting together. It always seemed to me like the siblings that get together have the most fun.
Posted by: Karen | February 02, 2012 at 03:12 AM
Sweet! We'll be trying this soon!! :) Probably next week. We might call you with questions... or to tell you how it turns out!
Love you Mom! <3
Posted by: Emily | February 02, 2012 at 03:31 AM
This is so awesome... it doesn't even resemble a casserole!
Posted by: Jonathan | February 02, 2012 at 02:54 PM
Going to try it today. Picture looks great!
Posted by: Joan Lloyd | February 03, 2012 at 10:43 AM
A+ for you. Ben loved it.
Posted by: Joan Lloyd | February 03, 2012 at 08:06 PM
Looks yummy! However, cooking is not like love for me but I'm going to try it anyway.
Posted by: Ginger Upshaw | February 15, 2012 at 03:03 PM
Made this tonight!! :) DELICIOUS!!!
Posted by: Emily | March 04, 2012 at 07:42 PM