Recipes from Ollie J -- Cabbage Casserole

Actually, it's Recipes from Aunt Ruby ... it's still in the family, so that's close enough for me.

Cabbage Casserole

Brown one pound hamburger and 1 onion.
Shred 1/2 cabbage and put in a baking dish.
Sprinkle 1/2 raw rice over the top of cabbage.
Spread the hamburger and onion over that.
Mix 1 can tomato soup with 1/2 soup can water.
Pour over cabbage, rice, and meat.
Pour one can Manwich Sauce over that.
Top with grated cheese.
Bake 1 1/2 hours at 300 degrees.

I don't know who transcribed this recipe card, but the family tendency to assume that the cook has watched someone else cook this is in effect once again.

How much raw rice? 1/2 cup? 1/2 tsp? 1/2 a pound. Yes, I realize it's probably 1/2 a cup ... but come on!
How big a baking dish?
How large a can of Manwich Sauce?
How much grated cheese?

But seriously, how much can't I stand the smell of cooked cabbage?
I do remember eating this one as a small child, back in the B.C. years (aka Before Connecticut/1980), but it was never my favorite. Not that I had a choice. It was eat or wear!

Because I am now ostensibly an adult (depending on how I'm acting and who you ask), I am exerting my right not to try this recipe and have my studio kitchen reek of cooked cabbage for days.

If some brave reader would like to try it and send in the results and/or edits, I welcome your feedback.

Pumpkins from Stars Hollow

Sadly, I didn't find these at the Dragonfly Inn, but it wouldn't suprise me if somehow Lorelei got Jackson to breed something like these.

Zen Adventures of The Shushing Librarian

The Shushing Librarian here.

My friends, do you ever have trouble getting out of bed?
Does your commute get you down?Like you want to wave the yellow flag in surrender?Does your work "seam" to keep you buried in pages and pages of words?Is stress a bear, smothering you "fur" sure?Are you coming unraveled? Are things spiraling out of control?
Is life a bitch, taking you to hell in a hand basket?
Then it's time for a Zen Meditation retreat ... like the one I took last weekend on Cape Cod.
I stumbled upon a very exclusive Zen retreat at Lemon Tree Pottery, in Brewster, Mass., part of the Lemon Tree Village Shops. It was so exclusive, I was the only one there.

As I entered the temple, I immediately calmed down.
This friendly guide helped me kick back and relax.Wise teachers cautioned me to STOP rushing about.
This wise man taught me that it was okay to ask for assistance when I became overwhelmed.
I was cradled in the light and wisdom of this one, and found my way to the sun.
Truly, I was in the hand of the Master. When I reflect on all I learned, I am at peace.

Namaste, ya'll.

Stay tuned for more Amazing Adventures of The Shushing Librarian.

Nettie's Dream House/Happy Place

Mayo Beach
Wellfleet, MA
October 16, 2010 around dusk

Here's the view from the chairs.

'Nough said.

Drowning!

The only problem with taking a few days off is that you feel like you are drowning when you return. Stay tuned for updates from Auntie Nettie and The Shushing Librarian. They both have some stories to tell.

Cape Cod Interlude

Auntie Nettie has been away for a few days -- up on Cape Cod for a much needed girls' weekend.

Enjoy these photos from her last girls' weekend on the Cape, with Grandmary in November 2008.

See the blog archives for more photos

Recipe from Molly M. -- Potato Casserole

I don't know that either of my grandmothers ever made these, but someone's Molly Mormon grandmother had to have been the first.

This is a variation on the "Mormon Funeral Potatoes." Actually, it's about a half of the recipe that can be found in The Essential Mormon Cookbook: Green Jell-O, Funeral Potatoes, and Other Secret Combinations by Julie Badger Jensen, c.2004 (and yes, I have a copy.)

However, this is the one that I found in a family recipe box, so this is the one I'm posting!

Potato Casserole

Boil 6 or 7 [regular, not sweet] [largish] potatoes with jackets on.
[Drain, cool slightly]
Peel and grate into [greased] casserole dish. [some people use the frozen hash browns, but not as good]

Cover with the following sauce:
1 can cream of chicken soup [can use low/no fat]
1/2 cube margarine [1/4 cup, 4 tablespoons]
1/2 pint sour cream [can use low/no fat]
1/4 cup green onions chopped
1/2 cup grated cheese [can use low/no fat, flavored like sharp cheddar/Mexican/Pizza blends]
Mix together and pour over potatoes.

Top with crushed cornflakes in melted butter. [As an alternative, skip the crushed cornflakes. Use fried onions, or more cheese.]

[Use appropriate sized glass pyrex container -- either 8x8 or 9x13, depending on amount of grated potatoes. In this case, you might be okay with the 8x8. Spray with no stick spray prior to loading in potatoes]

Bake [uncovered] at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

This is a large hearty dish that can be made in advance. (In fact, it's actually better by the second or third reheat, as the sauce has had a chance to soak into the potatoes.) It's gotten it's nickname because it's one of those dishes or casseroles that is provided by the local church women in times of need, ie. funerals/illnesses, etc.

It would also be good for a potluck evening. Just make sure to coordinate with the hostess. You don't want to end up with more than one of these per dinner party. TOO much potato casserole will lead to food coma; not something you want in dinner guests.