*sigh* I just love Thanksgiving. For me, there's nothing quite like the aroma of roasting turkey, and I'd probably bake one whether anyone was there to share it with me or not.I remember lots of wonderful Thanksgivings at my grandmother's house, but for the past twenty years, it's just been me, my DH, and my two sons at the table. Having another woman on hand to help with the clean-up would be nice, but since Mike usually volunteers, I'm not complaining!
The following is a recipe I got from my grandmother about thirty years ago, and it's my favorite Thanksgiving/Christmas/pitch-in side dish. It's easy to make, easy to transport, and I haven't met anyone yet who doesn't like it.
POTATO CASSEROLE
1 pkg Ore-Ida hash brown patties (27 oz) thawed and crumbled up
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
½ cup chopped onion
1 can Campbell's cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
Mix all together and spread in greased 9 X 13 pan
Mix one stick melted butter with 1 ½ cups of crushed cornflakes and spread over the top.
Bake @ 350 for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
A tasty treat warmed up alongside your scrambled eggs on Black Friday, it's even good cold, but best of all, it makes a terrific addition to my favorite soup in the whole wide world:
Thanksgiving Leftover Soup
After dinner is over, strip the meat off the bones and throw all of the bones, skin and whatever else is left in the bottom of your roasting pan into the biggest pot you've got and fill it with enough water to cover. Then let it simmer all evening. After that, if it's cold enough, I put the whole thing out on the deck for a while to cool down. Then I strain the broth and throw away the bones.
Refrigerate the broth overnight, and then scrape the fat off the top and discard. Put the broth back in the pot and chop up your leftover turkey, saving some for sandwiches if you like, and throw it in along with any other leftovers that would be good in soup. I put in the gravy, the dressing, the green beans, the broccoli casserole, and the potato casserole and let it simmer until lunchtime and serve.
You can feed your family on this for several days, or freeze it for those cold winter nights when you want something to warm your tummy, but don't feel like cooking. It's absolutely fabulous!
As always, the hunk is optional, but adds to the enjoyment!
Cheryl - I've been following the Thanksgiving recipes and wondering if I could make any here in the UK. This potato pie looks do-able!
ReplyDeletePromopted by your features, I bought our Christmas pudding last week, ready for December 25th. It has Courvoisier cognac in it. My mum has ordered our turkey as we all get together on Christmas day. My in-laws grow the vegetables - sprouts, potatoes, parsnips.
One thing though : I don't think that hunk would know a carb if it fell on him!
My mom thought she'd be clever and save freezer space one very cold year and put the left over bird out in the car port, high up on a shelf. Needless to say morale among our several kitties was good for days, and we learned that being deprived of Thanksgiving leftovers takes a little something away from the holiday. Perhaps a hunk might have some consolation to my sisters and me.
ReplyDeleteHmm, yum!
ReplyDeletePhillipa,
ReplyDeleteFunny how a little thing like the Atlantic Ocean can put so much distance between recipes, measurements, available ingredients, etc. When I wanted to make those treacle tarts that Harry Potter likes so well, I had to order golden syrup from Britain, along with some clotted cream and a few other goodies. Then I put some of the syrup on a scone and my blood sugar went up like a rocket. Needless to say, I never made the tarts!
I think you're right about the hunk. 100% pure protein!
Sorry about your turkey, Grace. I've left my broth out overnight in a big soup pot with a lid, and none of my cats have ever bothered it. Of course, this will probably be the year they do!
Says it all, Terri!
Thanksgiving leftovers are definitely something I can get behind. I'm all for less cooking!
ReplyDeleteCheryl: Loved both the beginning and ending of your post ... great recipe which I intend to make this year and that little extra side dish at the end ... delicious!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recipe, Cheryl and especially for the hunk. Both look yummy.
ReplyDeleteRobin :)
A friend and I were discussing a scalloped potato dish to be added to a potluck dinner we were invited to. But I'd only ever tried to make scalloped potatoes once and didn't like the recipe I used.
ReplyDeleteYour casserole recipe sounds like just the thing! Thanks.
And as for God's Refrigerator, I've used it many times. Thereby driving my dogs crazy. (I put the food in a roaster with a heavy lid.)
Hey, Cheryl, This is the best cheesy casserole of all time. I've used Shredded or cubed Hash browns for this recipe for Years. I'm asked for it at every family get together. I need to try your Hash Brown Patties next time. I find making it the day before and reheating it. That's the trick. Thanks. And that's a great leftover soup idea. And Gee that Hunk is not bad either.
ReplyDeleteI'm suddenly very hungry. And the recipe sounds great, too!
ReplyDeleteDonna,
ReplyDeleteThe hash brown patties make the best version of this, but they're getting harder and harder to find. I know of only one grocery in my area that still carries them. Good luck!
MM,
The best part about this recipe is its versatility. You can put it together, stick it in the fridge, and then bake it whenever you're ready. I've even frozen it uncooked and then taken it to whoever's house we're doing Christmas at, and baking it there. It will stay frozen in the trunk of your car all day if the weather is cold enough.
Shana,
The leftovers are the best part of Thanksgiving. After doing all that cooking, you get to take a few days off!
I hope you enjoy them both, Carolyn!
You're welcome, Robin. He gives us all kinds of reasons to be thankful, doesn't he?
LOL! I knew you'd say something like that, Olivia!
ReplyDeleteBoth recipies sound wonderful! Thanks. Love the hunk, made my day!
ReplyDeleteI love Thanksgiving too. This recipe sounds really good. I don't usually do a lot of cooking because we always go somewhere else, my parents, or my husband's grandmother's. They're all great cooks so I'm not complaining.
ReplyDeleteCheryl, love the potato/hash brown cassrole recipe.... it's a staple around here. We actually have that for breakfast on Thanksgiving and Christmas mornings. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty automatic around here for the holidays too, Catherine.
ReplyDeleteAnita,
I make it for almost every pitch-in, no matter what season!
Glad your day is better now, Jessica!
Great post Cheryl! My mother-in-law makes a similar version of this but uses the cubed potatoes and her recipe has cream and different cheeses. Very yummy-and there are never any leftovers of it. I also LOVE your version of leftover soup. I would never have thought to put the stuffing in there!
ReplyDeleteI'm curious, though about the "hash brown patties". I'm assuming you mean the pre-formed rectangles of hash browns??? If so, since you break them up anyway, why do you think the recipe turns out better with those and not just the shredded or cubed hash browns?
Am I over thinking? It's the hunks fault!
Good recipes Cheryl along with the appetizer. :}
ReplyDeleteSame here on loving the aroma of a roasting turkey.
Cheryl,
ReplyDeleteCan I just have the hunk and not the stuff that came from simmering bones and bottom of the pan stuff!
Amelia
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteThe kind that comes in the rectangles cooks up softer than the bag of shredded hash browns. Not sure why that is.
Nothing like that aroma, is there, Linda? It's right up there with the smell of baking bread.
Sure, you can have the hunk, Amelia, but the soup tastes better!
Man that casserole sounds delicious. *Writes it down* I love thanksgiving for giving thanks for everything in one's life. I love the family get togethers oh and the food too :)
ReplyDeletePotato casserole and a hunky man. Now those are things to be thankful for!
ReplyDeleteLOL, Cheryl! I love the way your options work. ;}
ReplyDelete