Classic Cookery: Plantation Casserole

Locally produced cookbooks have long been the mainstay of small-town fundraising efforts.  They are wonderful souvenirs and mementos because they often provide a "snapshot" of the community at a point in time.  I was integrating my late aunt's cookbooks into my own collection when I ran across one produced in my county sometime in the 1960s or 1970s.  I'm not sure which organization produced it, but I recognize a number of contributors from my youth.

Wake Up to this Savory Breakfast Casserole

Both of my children visited this weekend which meant that I had the opportunity to prepare some of my old-faithful recipes.  One recipe that my son requested was Breakfast Casserole.  While we usually have it on Christmas morning with fruit, it's a great way to use leftover meat and bread in a time-saving breakfast meal.  Here's the basic recipe:

Old Favorite With a New Twist

One of my family's favorite comfort foods is broccoli casserole.  It's my husband's specialty and he's forever tinkering with it.  Finally, he's come up with a recipe he actually had me write down.  We hope your family enjoys it as much as we do!

By the way, it freezes beautifully, so we make really big batches to freeze servings for later!

Savory Broccoli Casserole

1 stick of Kroger's Nice & Cheesy (2 pounds)
2 cans cream of chicken soup
6 cups of cooked rice (slightly underdone)
3 cups broccoli pieces
3 boneless/skinless chicken breasts, cubed and marinated in creamy Italian dressing
3 T. butter
3 T. Watkins Chicken Soup & Gravy Mix
1 T. Watkins Garlic & Parmesan Dip Mix
1 can French's Fried Onions

Cook chicken in skillet prepared with about 1 T. olive oil.  Save drippings to add to dish.  If you do not like chunks of broccoli, blend the broccoli and chicken soup until desired texture.  Cube cheese in large casserole dish with broccoli, cream of chicken soup, and butter.  Microwave until melted.  Add chicken and dripping and mix.  Add soup mix and dip mix and stir.  Add rice and stir until it begins to thicken.  Sprinkle onions on top & bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour.