Category Archives: Casseroles

Rip’s Tamale Pie

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rip_tamale_pie

I grew up in a household of women who really couldn’t cook. Mostly because they didn’t really eat. My grandmother, the original health nut, ate like a bird and followed a diet designed by her a Chinese nutritionist, Dr. Dong, whom she regularly flew to San Francisco to see. He cured her arthritis, but he killed any hope of my having the quintessential cookie baking grandmother. Instead I was offered carob snacks and could graze off the alfalfa sprouts growing in the fridge.

My mother, despite her early attempts to be the perfect wife and mother, making us matching outfits and crocheting my baby blankets, steadfastly refused to learn to cook. When the microwave was invented, she was relieved from her kitchen duties once and for all. We were the first family on the block to have one, which I swear was a big as a regular oven. From then on I lived on a diet of Tab, Wheat Thins, and Stouffers’ Lasagna.

Given my early influences and clear genetic predisposition, it is almost miraculous that I went to culinary school and became a chef.

Despite their epicurean inadequacies, there is one thing that they could both make, and make well. So well in fact that generations have begged for this dish to be made for every family function. I have no idea where this recipe originated, but it has been refined and handed down in my family like a treasured heirloom.

Rip’s Tamale Pie

(feeds approx. 14)

2 pounds ground beef
8 XLNT Beef Tamales
3 14oz cans can petite dice tomatoes
2 14oz can fresh sweet corn
2 large onion diced
6 cloves garlic diced
4 c cheddar cheese
2 4oz can sliced black olives
2 tbsp cumin
Salt & Pepper to taste

Cook onions and garlic in olive oil until softened.
Add beef and cook through. Remove from heat.
Add corn & tomatoes. Stir to combine.
Season with cumin, salt and pepper.
Break up the tamales into small pieces. Mix in with meat and vegetables.
Mix in 1/2 of the cheese cheese.

Put in oiled casserole dish, top with remaining cheese and olives.

Let sit in fridge overnight – it’s amazing how much better it is if it
sits over night.

Bake for about 45 minutes at 350. Until cheese melts and casserole is
heated through.

Serve with warm corn tortillas.

You can also freeze the left overs and reheat in microwave.

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Cook’s note:

XLNT Tamales are difficult to find outside of Southern California. They are amazingly good, but the recipe will not suffer if you use any brand of tamale, including fresh.

Chicken-Sausage Cassoulet

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1 1/4 cups dry navy beans
4 cups water
1/2 pound bulk pork sausage
1 2 1/2 to 3 pound broiler-fryer chicken, cut up
1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 1/2 cups tomato juice
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons instant beef bouillon granules
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
1/2 teaspoon paprika

The day before you are to use the recipe, in large saucepan bring beans and water to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 1 1/2 hours. Pour beans and liquid into bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

While beans simmer, shape sausage into 18 balls; brown the meatballs in a skillet. Remove meatballs, reserving drippings in skillet. Cover meatballs; refrigerate overnight. Sprinkle chicken pieces with salt and pepper; brown in the reserved drippings. Remove chicken; cover and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, in an electric slow crockery cooker place chicken, meatballs, carrot, celery, and onion. Drain beans; mix beans with tomato juice, worcestershire sauce, bouillon granule, and seasonings. Pour over meat mixture in crockery cooker. Cover; cook on low heat setting for 8 hours. Remove chicken and meatballs. Mash bean mixture slightly; serve with meat. If desired, serve with toasted French bread slices. Makes 6 servings.

©Meredith Corporation, MCMLXXIX. All Rights Reserved. Printed in U.S.A.

Australian Lamb Casserole

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australian_lamb

Cooking time: 1 3/4 hours
Preparation time: 15 mins
Main cooking utensils: skillet, casserole
Oven temperature: 325-350°F
Oven position: Center

For 4-6 people you need:
2 lb lamb rib chop
3 tablespoons oil
1 large onion
3 tomatoes
1 small can carrots
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2/3 cup white wine
2/3 – 1 1/4 cups stock or water and chicken bouillon cube seasoning
1/4 cup stuffed olives
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon water

1. Fry the chops in oil until brown on both sides.

2. Place in a casserole, and fry the sliced onion.

3. Add this to the casserole with the quartered tomatoes, drained carrots, tomato paste, wine, stock, and seasoning.

4. Cover and cook for 1 3/4 hours.

5. Add the olives and heat through for 5 minutes before serving.

TO SERVE: Thicken the liquid with the cornstarch blended with the cold water. Serve remainder of the bottle of wine at the table.

TO VARY: This combination of flavors could be used for veal or pork chops.

TO STORE: In the refrigerator; reheat thoroughly.

NOTE: If using fresh carrots, these should be sliced to make certain they are tender by the time the meat is cooked. Loin chops can be used in the place of rib chops.

Printed in Canada © Copyright Paul Hamlyn Ltd. 1967

Frankfurter Bake

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frankfurter_bake

Cooking time: 40 mins.
Preparation time: 15 mins
Main cooking utensils: saucepan, casserole or ovenproof dish
Oven temperature: 350-375° F.
Oven position: center

For 4-5 servings you need:

2 1/2 cups chicken stock or water and 1-2 chicken bouillon cubes
generous 1/2 cup long grain rice
2 carrots
2 onions
1/4 0 1/3 lb sliced green beans
3 tablespoons finely chopped green sweet pepper
seasoning
1 can frankfurters, approximately 1 1/2 lb.
1 can sweetcorn

1. Bring the stock or water and bouillon cubes to the boil.

2. Add the rice, bring to the boil, and simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Add the peeled diced carrots and onions, the beans, chopped green pepper, and seasoning; cook for a further 5 minutes.

4. Cut some of the frankfurters into thin slices, havel the remainder.

5. Mix the sliced franfurters and sweetcorn into the rice mixture, together with any liquid from the cans.

6. Spoon into the casserole or dish, top with the halved frankfurters and bake for 20 minutes or until the rice is tender in a 350-375° F. oven.

TO SERVE: Hot with mixed salads

TO VARY: Use diced cooked ham or cooked chicken in place of frankfurters or add neatly diced uncooked white fish at stage 2 together with a few shelled prawns or shrimp at stage 5.

Printed in Canada. © Copyright The Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd 1973

Stuffed Pepper Casserole

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stuffed_pepper_casserole

6 large green peppers (about 2 1/2 lb)
2 tablespoons margarine, melted
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 can (1 lb) tomatoes, undrained
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 egg
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 lb ground chuck
1 1/2 cups cooked white rice

1. Cut off tops of peppers; remove ribs and seeds. Chop edible portion of tops; set aside. Wash peppers.

2. Place peppers in large kettle with 2 quarts salted water. Bring to boiling; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Drain peppers; set aside.

3. In hot margarine in medium skillet, sauté chopped green pepper, onion and celery, 3 to 5 minutes, until tender.

4. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, garlic, basil, oregano, 1 1/2 teapoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes.

5. Preheat oven to 350F.

6. Meanwhile, in large mixing bowl, combing egg, remaining salt and pepper, and Worcestershire. Beat with spoon to blend.

7. Add chuck, rice, and 1 cup of tomato mixture, mixing well.

8. Stuff peppers with meat mixture. Place in 3-quart casserole. Pour remaining tomato mixture over peppers.

9. Bake, uncovered, 1 hour.

Makes 6 servings.

© Copyright 1973 by The McCall Publishing Co., All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.

Frank-Veggie Hot Pot

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This quick-to-fix meal is economical and tasty. you can use either turkey or beef frankfurters.

For 4 servings you will need:
1 lb turkey or beef frankfurters
1 can (10 1/2 oz) chicken broth plus water to equal 3 cups liquid
1 cup elbow macaroni
1 tsp. dried basil leaves
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 pkg. (10 oz) frozen mixed vegetables
1 small onion, diced
1/3 cup each sour cream and mayonnaise, optional
Chopped fresh parsley, chives or green pepper

Tips: You may use cooked, diced turkey or pork in place of the frankfurters, if desired or other shapes of pasta for the elbow macaroni. Whole wheat macaroni adds a nice flavor and color as well.

For 2 servings:
Half of the ingredients

For 8 servings
Double the ingredients but use only 5 1/2 cups liquid. Increase cooking time to 20 min.

Preparation:

1. Cut frankfurters into 1-inch pieces. Set aside.

2. Heal to boiling chicken broth and water in heavy saucepan or Dutch oven. Add macaroni, basil, salt and black pepper. Return to boiling. Cook, uncovered, for 5 min.

3. Stir in frankfurters, vegetables an onion. Simmer 5 min. longer until macaroni is tender, vegetables are cooked and water is almost all absorbed.

4. Fold in sour cream and mayonnaise, if used. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, chives or green pepper before serving.

Good served with: Chilled spiced tomato juice, green salad, fresh fruit for dessert.

©MCMLXXXIV My Great Recipes. All Rights Reserved. Printed in Holland.

Sausage and Savory Cabbage

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Cooking time: 40 mins.
Preparation time: 15 mins.
Main cooking utensil: shallow flameproof casserole with lid (see stage 1)
Oven temperature: 350-375°
Oven position: above center

For 4 servings you need:
2 tablespoons margarine
10 oz. skinless sausages*
1 large onion
1 large leek or another onion
1 lb. firm cabbage *use heart of cabbage or white Dutch cabbage)
1/2 lb. tomatoes
seasoning

*There is no need to defrost frozen sausages before cooking

1. Melt the margarine in the flameproof casserole. If you do not have this type of casserole then use a skillet plus an ovenproof casserole.
2. Fry the sausages until golden brown, lift out of the skillet onto a plate.
3. Peel the onion and slice thinly; wash and slice the leek.
4. Toss the onion and leek in the margarine remaining in the pan for 5 minutes.
5. Add the finely-shredded cabbage and the skinned, deseeded, and chopped tomatoes; continue cooking for a few minutes.
6. Season the mixture well; if using a flameproof casserole put on the lid and transfer to the oven; if using an ordinary skillet tip into the ovenproof casserole and cover.
7. Bake for 20 minutes in a 350-375° F. oven.
8. Remove lid, add the sausages and heat for a further 10 minutes.

TO SERVE: Hot with baked potatoes.
TO VARY: This dish, like many other casserole dishes, may be cooked in a covered saucepan over a very low heat.

©Copyright The Hamlyn PUblishing Group Ltd 1973, Printed in Canada.

Tuna-Corn Bake

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1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup
1 can (9 1/4 ounces) tuna, drained and flaked
1 can (8 ounces) stewed tomatoes (reserve 3 tomato pieces)
1 cup coarsely crumbled corn chips
1/2 small green pepper, chopped (about 1/4 cup)
2 teaspoons instant minced onion
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
Dash of garlic salt
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)
1 cup coarsely crumbled corn chips
Chili sauce (optional)

Heat oven to 350°. Mix soup, tuna, tomatoes, 1 cup corn chips, the green pepper, onion, chili powder and garlic salt in a greased 1 1/2 quart casserole. Sprinkle with cheese and arrange reserved tomato pieces in center. Sprinkle 1 cup corn ship around tomatoes, Bake uncovered until bubbly, about 30 minutes. Serve with chili sauce. 8 servings.

©1975 by General Mills, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.

Frankfurters & Corn Casserole

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1/4 cup finely chopped onions
3 tablespoons butter of margarine
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1 1/2 cups milk
2 cups canned whole kernel corn, drained
3 eggs beaten
1/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs
1 tablespoon melted butter or margarine
1 pound frankfurters, scored

Preheat oven to 350°. Cook onions in butter until transparent; stir in flour. Add salt and pepper. Over low heat, gradually stir in milk; cook until sauce is thick and smooth, stirring constantly. Remove from head and add corn. Fold in beaten eggs. Pour into 1 1/2 quart buttered casserole. Mix melted butter and bread crumbs; sprinkle on top. Bake 30 minutes; place frankfurters on top of casserole and bake 15 minutes longer.

Serves 6
Preparation Time: 1 HR
Approximate calories per serving…425

Suggested Menu

Frankfurter Corn Casserole
Pepper Slaw
Peach Melba

©1973 Curtin Publications, Inc. New York, NY Printed in U.S.A.

Potato Puffs & Beef

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2 tablespoons oil
1 1/2 pounds sirloin or round steak, cut in 3x1x1/2 inch strips
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon ground thyme
8 ounce can tomato sauce
1/2 cup Burgundy wine
2 cups mashed potatoes
2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions or chives
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 egg
Salt and pepper

In a large skillet, brown meat and onions. Add garlic, salt, pepper, basil, thyme, tomato sauce and wine; cover and simmer 30 minutes until meat is tender. Heat oven to 375°. Mix mashed potatoes, green onions, cheese, butter and egg. Season with salt an pepper. Place meat mixture in a casserole. Shape potato mixture into balls and place around top edge of the casserole. Bake 20 to 25 minutes – until potato puffs are golden brown.

Serves 4 to 6
Preparation Time 1 1/4 HR
Approximate calories per serving… 350

Suggested Menu
Potato Puffs and Beef
Dilled Carrots
Garden Salad
Cherries Jubilee

©1973 Curtin Publications, Inc., New York, NY Printed in U.S.A.