Potluck Chicken Casserole

I made this casserole at work today. I was actually surprised how tasty it was. I'm not a fan of casserole's but I will definitely make this again. Instead of corn flakes on top, I used Ritz cracker crumbs.

Potluck Chicken Casserole Recipe

Photo by: Taste of Home

• Prep: 25 min. Bake: 30 min.
• 8-10 servings
  

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup chopped fresh mushrooms
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 tablespoons butter, divided
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1-1/4 cups milk
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 4 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 3 cups cooked long grain rice
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 1 jar (2 ounces) diced pimientos, drained
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 3/4 cup coarsely crushed cornflakes

Directions

• In a large saucepan, saute the mushrooms, onion and garlic in 3 tablespoons butter until tender. Stir in flour until blended. Gradually add milk; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. Remove from the heat; stir in mayonnaise until smooth.
• Add the chicken, rice, celery, peas, pimientos, lemon juice, salt and pepper; mix well. Transfer to an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Melt remaining butter; toss with cornflakes. Sprinkle over top. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly. Yield: 8-10 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 each) equals 397 calories, 23 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 72 mg cholesterol, 512 mg sodium, 25 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 20 g protein.

Potluck Chicken Casserole published in Taste of Home October/November 1996, p37

Happy Easter

Believe it or not, this was the best picture I got of the two. I took several but they were making faces in them all. I made that dress for Jeanie. It was fun to sew. The pattern and fabric are from Jennifer Paganelli. (jenniferpaganelli.typepad.com) I love the quality of the fabric and the pattern is for all sizes starting at 6/12 months up to 11/12 years.

April

Strawberries are starting to grow.
Rhubarb is coming.

It's surprising how green everything is already. Most of the perennials are coming up on the south side of the house. The gardens on the north side are still pretty dormant. I really dare to think we are done with snow!

It's a GOLD Medal!

The Special Olympic Basketball Finals were in Grandville this weekend. Danny had the time of his life! He rode up with Coach Cara and Coach Jason at about 1:00 Friday afternoon. Fred and I met up with them at the 5:00 game. The athletes stayed with the team. He roomed with Coach Jason and one of his teammates. He had a blast and they won both of the games they played so they got a gold medal. He is so pumped! He kept repeating on the way home, "I can't believe I have a gold medal!" and "I'm so happy!" When we got home he put on his jacket and came in the house with the medal hiding. "Hey, Wade, Gretchen, Molly, everyone.......are you ready to be impressed?!" He whips open his jacket, "A gold medal!!!"

Here's a video clip. Danny shoots but misses.

Mr. Smiles

We sure are enjoying this little guy. He is such a good and smiley baby. Even when he's fussing about something, he will start to fuss and you look at him, he'll give you a big smile, then go back to his fussing. I need to get a picture of the mom and dad.

Last week Heidi came to Danny's Special Olympics basketball practice with Adrian. One of the girls on his team came up to Heidi. She looked at Heidi, then at Adrian, then back at Heidi and asked, "Are you an adult?" Poor Heidi, she looks so young this girl, who was much taller than Heidi, was trying to figure out why Heidi had a baby!

Uncle Danny

"Heidi, can I hold your baby?" Then, "I'm so bad at holding Adrian." I guess he's a little too squirmy for him. We are enjoying this little visitor.