If there’s one dish that takes me right back to my childhood, it’s my Mom’s Broccoli Casserole. It was a staple at our family dinners, and I remember waiting eagerly as the aroma of baking broccoli, cheese, and rice filled the house. This dish, with its creamy, cheesy goodness and the nutritious punch of broccoli, is comfort food at its best. And the best part? It’s incredibly easy to make! You simply saute some celery and onion, add cream of chicken soup, and then mix in chopped broccoli, cooked rice, and grated cheese. Bake it until it’s bubbly, and you’ve got a delicious, comforting dish that’s sure to please. Over the years, I’ve made this dish for my own family, and it’s become a favourite in our home as well. I love it not just for its delicious taste, but also for the wonderful memories it brings. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and create some warm memories of your own.
Ingredients
- 1/2 c. butter
- 1/2 c. celery
- 1/2 c. onion, chopped fine
- 1 c. cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 pkg. broccoli, chopped
- 2 c. cooked rice
- 1 c. grated cheese
Baking Instructions
- Melt butter and saute celery and onion.
- Add 1 cup cream of chicken soup and bring to boil.
- Add broccoli, rice and cheese. Cook at 350° until bubbly.
Calorie: 350
Total cooking time: 45 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
The Great Broccoli Casserole Caper
Now, let me tell you about the time I mixed up a storm in my kitchen. Ever heard of the Broccoli Casserole? No? Well, sit down, grab a cup of tea, and buckle up, because you’re in for quite the culinary caper.
The Gathering of the Unusual Suspects
It all started on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I was rummaging through my fridge, and I stumbled upon the most eclectic mix of ingredients. Half a cup of butter, just sitting there, chilling. Half a cup of celery, half a cup of finely chopped onions. A whole cup of cream of chicken soup, half a package of chopped broccoli, two cups of cooked rice, and a whole cup of grated cheese. It was like the universe itself was telling me, “Hey, how about we whip up some Broccoli Casserole today?”
The Butter, Celery, and Onion Tango
So, I took that as a sign and started my casserole crusade. First stop, melting butter. Now, if there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I consider butter a magical ingredient. It’s the fairy dust of the cooking world. However, melting it without turning it into a burnt, smoking mess is an art form in itself. But, with years of butter-melting experience under my belt, I managed to do it without setting off any smoke alarms.
Adding the celery and onions to the mix was like watching two dancers join the stage. It was a tango, a waltz, a fiery salsa all at once. The aroma that filled the kitchen… well, let’s just say it could give any fancy French restaurant a run for their money.
The Great Soup Escapade
Next, I decided to bring out the big guns – the cream of chicken soup. It’s like the secret weapon in my arsenal. Feeling a bit like a mad scientist, I added it to my butter, celery, and onion dance party and cranked up the heat. Boy, did things get steamy! The soup began to bubble and boil, and I felt a bit like a witch brewing a potion.
The Broccoli, Rice, and Cheese Symphony
Adding the broccoli was like inviting a new instrument to join an orchestra. A touch of green in a sea of yellow and white. The rice joined the symphony next, introducing a starchy bass line to the melody. The final note, the crescendo if you will, was the grated cheese. Watching it melt and weave its way through the mix was nothing short of a culinary concert.
The Grand Finale
Into the oven it went, set to a cozy 350°. As I closed the oven door, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. The kind you feel before the final act of a Broadway show. And oh boy, did it deliver. When I finally took it out, the bubbling top layer of the casserole was a sight to behold. Golden, cheesy, and so inviting that I almost burnt my tongue trying to taste it straight from the oven.
So there you have it, friends. My impromptu Sunday afternoon spent orchestrating the Great Broccoli Casserole Caper. In the end, the casserole turned out to be a hit. I even managed to convince my vegetable-phobic son to have a taste. If that’s not a win, I don’t know what is. Until next time, happy cooking!
