Tag: CASSEROLE

UPDATED KENTUCKY HOT BROWNS

I usually make my version of  HOT BROWNS from THE BROWN HOTEL recipe from the OFF THE EATEN PATH cook book by Morgan Murphy. BUT, tonight we’re trying DAMARIS PHILLIPS’ version and fell in love with the different assembly method making it a casserole instead of a knife and fork dish. Next time we will be using a new combination of our norm and DAMARIS PHILLIPS’ assembly version. 😀 I also use the sweet & spicy bacon – YUMMY!

KENTUCKY HOT BROWNS – UPDATED ala DAMARIS PHILLIPS
1 skin-on, bone-in turkey breast half (about 2 pounds)
4 teaspoons avocado oil
FRESH ground sea salt pepper
4 ounces slab bacon, chopped
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 1/2 cups whole milk
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)
1/4 cup chopped roasted red peppers
2 slices stale sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (2 heaping cups)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • Preheat the oven to 350°.
  • Rub the turkey with 2 teaspoons vegetable oil; sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.
  • Place turkey on baking sheet and roast until the thickest part registers 160°, about 45-55 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and let rest 15 minutes before chopping; the internal temperature will rise to 165°.
  • Meanwhile, place the bacon on a baking sheet and bake until crisp, about 20 minutes.
  • Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  • Reduce the oven temperature to 250°.
  • Coat the tomatoes with the remaining 2 teaspoons avocado oil and season with salt and pepper.
  • Place the tomatoes cut-side up on a separate parchment-lined baking sheet and bake until they start to dehydrate and wrinkle, about 45 minutes.
  • While the tomatoes are cooking, start the Mornay sauce.
  • Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  • Heat the milk in a separate small saucepan over medium heat.
  • When the butter is melted, add the flour and stir continuously so the roux doesn’t scorch, but becomes golden, about 2 minutes.
  • When the milk starts to simmer, slowly add it to the roux, stirring continuously so lumps don’t form.
  • Increase the heat and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 6 to 8 minutes.
  • Add the cheddar and roasted peppers and stir until smooth.
  • Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper.

 

  • Preheat the broiler.
  • Distribute the bread cubes evenly among four 6-inch cast-iron gratin pans (or use disposable pie plates or other small pans).
  • Cut the turkey into 1/2-inch pieces; discard the skin and bones.
  • Divide the turkey evenly among the pans.
  • Spoon the Mornay sauce over the turkey, then top with the tomatoes.
  • Sprinkle with the Parmesan and bacon and broil until golden and bubbling, about 5 minutes.
  • Serve immediately.

GRANS BUTTER CRACKER CHICKEN CASSEROLE

This recipe is SOOOOOOO versatile.  You can add tons of flavor if you use a rotisserie chicken by choosing an Italian herb or lemon or BBQ, etc… My favorite grocery store carries rostisserie chickens by “parts” in a mesquite flavor that I REALLY like in this recipe. By “parts” I mean you can get all white meat or my favorite all dark.  It takes about 4 thighs and legs to make the chicken pieces for this casserole.

You can also change up your soup flavor cream of mushroom, cream of onion, cream of poblano or jalapeno, etc… You get the idea. I also “adjust” the vegetables to what I have on hand. Sometimes I add green beans or mushrooms or snap peas, etc… just until I have an even mixture of a nice protein to vegetable ratio that is still creamy.

GRANS BUTTER CRACKER CHICKEN CASSEROLE serves 4-6
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded or chopped**
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
1 cup frozen peas
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon avocado oil
2 large carrots, thinly sliced
2 green onions, thinly sliced
6 ounces (2 sleeves) Ritz*** crackers, crushed into fine crumbs
4-6 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon paprika

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl stir together the soup, sour cream and chicken.
  • Fold in peas and set aside.
  • In a hot skillet add 1 tablespoon of butter and avocado oil.
  • When melted add carrots, sautéing 3-5 minutes until beginning to soften.
  • Add green onions and saute’ a minute more.
  • Fold carrots and onions into chicken mixture.
  • Pour into prepared baking dish.
  • In a small bowl combine the melted butter, crushed crackers and paprika until the mixture looks like wet sand. Start with 4 tablespoons of butter and add more as necessary.
  • Spoon over casserole evenly.
  • Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
  • Serve warm.
  • ENJOY!

NOTES

  • ** You can easily substitute 3 cups of rotisserie chicken and quite honestly these days that is my preferred way to make this recipe.
  • *** You can also use Kebbler Garlic butter crackers, Ritz are the preferred cracker.
  • This recipe freezes well also so I often make extra in these small foil bakers for easy weeknight prep.

BACON CHEESEBURGER HAMBURGER HELPER NOT!!!!

For some reason hubby LOVES Hamburger helper. Must be left over from his bachelor days BECAUSE IT IS NOT SOMETHING I HAVE EVER MADE. Since I can’t have pre-prepared foods I made him a substitute recipe for his favorite box that he says tastes even better. I make in advance too which makes a great weeknight casserole ready to pop in the oven when you get home. Hubby likes the texture of Velveeta, but I find it a bit rubbery. So I tried Land of Lakes American cheese and it slices great while still giving you that smooth creamy cheese texture when it melts. 

BACON CHEESEBURGER HAMBURGER HELPER NOT!!**
6 bacon strips cooked crisp and crumbled
1 1/2 pounds hamburger
1 small Vidalia onion, chopped
2 cups green giant frozen corn, thawed
2 large Yukon potatoes, sliced
Land o’ Lakes American Cheese Slices
Grated Cheddar for garnish
Corn chips (optional)

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Toss bacon and corn together.
  • Layer potatoes over top.
  • Generously salt and pepper the potatoes.
  • Place a thin layer of cheese slices over potatoes.
  • Brown hamburger and onions together. Salt and pepper well while meat is browning. Drain off fat.
  • Layer over the potatoes and top with another layer of potatoes.
  • Salt and pepper again and layer with another layer of cheese.
  • Cover and bake for 45 minutes.
  • Uncover and bake another 15 minutes.

NOTE: **I like to make these back to back (that way I also have 2 meals ready to go with half the mess) so the left over bits of browned sausage and caramelized onion add flavor to the hamburger.

HOMEMADE REFRIED BEANS

REFRIED BEANS
2 1/2 cups pinto beans
1 small onion, chopped fine
4 tablespoons bacon grease
4 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon sea salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup sour cream
1 cup cheddar/ Monterey Jack grated cheese
Cotija cheese, optional
Jalapenos, optional

  • Rinse beans and pick out any bad ones.
  • In a small stock pot cover the beans with about 3 inches of water. If there are still any bad beans in there they will float to the top.
  • Bring them to a boil, lower heat and simmer 2 hours or until skins break.
  • Drain.
  • In a heavy skillet (cast iron works best), melt the bacon grease and butter.
  • Saute’ onion until translucent.
  • Add beans and stir well.
  • Smash beans continuously until desired texture is reached.
  • Transfer beans into a large mixing bowl.
  • Use hand mixer and beat smooth.
  • Add sour cream, salt, pepper and red pepper.
  • Beat smooth again.
  • Transfer into a 9×9 casserole and top with cheese, if desired.
  • Bake 20 minutes at 350°.
  • Garnish with Cotija cheese and jalapenos if desired.