Today, we’re making a Mixed Vegetable Casserole. This dish is a perfect blend of veggies, cheese, and crackers, making it a hearty and satisfying meal. It’s easy to prepare and absolutely delightful to the palate.
Ingredients
- 1 can Veg-All, drained
- 1/2 c. chopped onion
- 1/2 c. water chestnuts, sliced
- 1/2 c. grated cheese (Cheddar)
- 1/3 c. plus 2 level Tbsp. mayonnaise
- 1/2 roll Ritz crackers, crushed
- 1/2 stick margarine
Baking Instructions
- Mix first 5 ingredients.
- Pour into casserole and top with crackers mixed with margarine.
- Bake at 350° for 30 minutes.
Calorie: 300
Total cooking time:45 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
The Veg-All Saga Begins
So there I was, standing in my humble kitchen, about to embark on a culinary journey that would forever change the way I viewed the world…or at least my dinner plate. In my hands, I held a can of Veg-All, a weapon wielded by many a cook in the battle against time and hunger. Beside me on the counter sat an onion, half a cup of water chestnuts, some grated cheese, and a bottle of mayonnaise. I felt like a knight gearing up for battle, if that knight’s armor was made of vegetables and dairy products.
The Onion Diaries
The first step, as always, was to chop the onion. Half a cup, they said. How much is half a cup of onion, really? Is it a big half? A little half? Does it cry if you cut it too small? I guess we’ll never know. But I tackled that onion with all the determination of a Michelin Star chef on a mission. The tears streamed down my face, not from the onion, but from the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment. Or maybe it was the onion.
The Curious Case of the Water Chestnuts
Next up were the water chestnuts. Now, water chestnuts are a bit of an enigma. They’re not quite a nut, or a chest for that matter, but they do have a certain crunch that sets them apart from the rest. And slicing them? Let’s just say it’s a good thing I’m not aiming for perfect circles. If you squint, they kind of resemble the Olympic rings.
The Cheese Grating Chronicles
The grated cheese was next. I love grated cheese. It’s like regular cheese, only it went to school and got a degree in being fancy. But grating cheese can be a perilous task. One moment you’re grating, and the next moment you’ve grated your own finger. I’m pleased to report that all my fingers are accounted for, and the cheese is now a nice, fluffy mound of dairy goodness.
Mayonnaise: Friend or Foe?
And then, there was the mayonnaise. Ah, mayonnaise. The condiment that divides nations. Some love it, others, not so much. But in this mixed vegetable casserole, it plays a crucial role. It’s the glue that holds everything together, the unsung hero of the culinary world. The recipe called for 1/3 cup plus 2 level tablespoons. I still don’t know what a level tablespoon is, but I made a guess and hoped for the best.
Ritz Crackers: The Final Frontier
The last step was to crush a roll of Ritz crackers and mix them with half a stick of margarine. Now, there’s something incredibly satisfying about crushing crackers. It’s like all your frustrations just melt away with every crunch. And the margarine? It’s the cherry on top, the final touch that transforms this dish from a hodgepodge of ingredients into a mouthwatering casserole.
The Grand Finale
With everything mixed together, I poured it all into a casserole dish, topped it with the cracker-margarine mix, and popped it into the oven. The timer was set for 30 minutes, and as I watched it tick down, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. I had faced the Veg-All, the onion, the water chestnuts, the grated cheese, the mayonnaise, the roll, and the margarine, and I had emerged victorious.
The Verdict
The aroma that filled the kitchen was tantalizing. And the taste? Well, let’s just say that it was worth every tear, every sliced water chestnut, every grated finger (I mean, piece of cheese), and every level tablespoon of mayonnaise. This mixed vegetable casserole was a triumph, a testament to the power of Veg-All and its band of merry ingredients.
