Johnny Marzetti Casserole

 

Photo source: Real Simple

Apparently there is a mystery concerning the identity of Johnny Marzetti.  Who is he, where did the recipe come from and why is it named after him?  Interesting read on the article since I wondered about the recipe name when I first found it.

The recipe is similar to my pasta concoctions that change regularly with my mood.  Lazy day I make with jarred spaghetti sauce, other times I make my own sauce and let it cook for hours.  Most of the time I use italian sausage, sometimes brown some ground beef with the sausage and I love it with ziti.  Also love it with angel hair pasta. How about some chunky sliced mushrooms on occasion?  When I plate it (sometimes), the pasta is topped with ricotta cheese, then the sauce.  Delicious!  But then again, I can't call it a Johnny Marzetti dish because of all the variations.

Click here to go to the Real Simple recipe page with excellent instructions with photos.  And then there is that Johnny Marzetti story!

Seafood Mac and Cheese from Kardea Brown

Photo Source:  The Food Network

This seafood mac and cheese is my favorite item from the episode Sunday Supper on the Food Network. 

Click here to go to the Seafood Mac and Cheese recipe page.

If you love southern food, you must check out Kardea Brown, who has some of the best southern recipes I've seen.  She is from South Carolina, where the dishes are different than those southern recipes from Florida.  Her show is quite a treat.  You can find her videos on The Food Network's You Tube channel  Click here to go there.

Chicken Dumpling Casserole

Photo source: Plain Chicken

Originally posted January 2014

The Captain makes the best Chicken and Dumplings from scratch that I have ever had.  But, like most everything made from scratch, it takes hours to make. I will post his recipe soon because it really is worth it when you have the time.  (It breaks my heart to say he never wrote his recipe down for me and now he is gone.  Lesson learned to not put things off because it may be too late.)

This recipe is one of those semi-homemade meals that I love so much. Sometimes you just don't have the time to slave away for hours in the kitchen. Cream of chicken soup is one of my favorite methods of making a delicious meal fast and easy.  Grocery store rotisserie chicken is another secret to a fast and delicious meal.  Of course making your own chicken is more economical!


UPDATE and REVIEW:

The name of the recipe is deceiving.  It is more like a Chicken and Biscuits Casserole or add some vegetables and call it a Chicken Ala King Casserole.

The biscuit topping that forms is not thick like a biscuit, but is very tasty and somewhat crunchy.  We loved it.  It produces a gravy that is thick and a nice compliment to the chicken and biscuit topping.  I've never added chicken broth to cream of chicken soup and was pleasantly surprised.

We served it over mashed potatoes, which was a great choice and I highly recommend it for a day you are in the mood for delicious comfort food that is a fast and easy meal to prepare.

The plan for the next time it is made . . . double the flour, baking soda mixture for the biscuit topping and add cooked vegetables like corn, peas, carrots or green beans.

Click here to go to the recipe page.

Pie Crusts - Everything You Need To Know

 

Photo source:  All Recipes

If you’ve been looking for foolproof instructions on how to make pie crust and everything else  you need to know, all you need to know is here. You are guided through the process with step-by-step videos in some pages, clear directions, and expert tips and tricks.

I'll be adding to this list.

• How to Use Store-Bought Pie Crust to Make Desserts That Aren't Pie
  
  
• The Secret Ingredient for the Flakiest Pie Crust Ever (You Already Have It)
  
  
• 5 Easy Tips to Make Store-Bought Pie Crust Taste Homemade
  
  
• This Is the Best Pie Dish for Baking Golden, Flaky Pies
  
  
• Best Pie Crust Recipes of All Time
  

• 10 Easy Pie Crust Recipes
  
  

• Easy Pie Crust from Martha Stewart with video