Veg-All Casserole

Hello to all my fellow food eaters out there!  I have an awesome heritage recipe from the good old days in the 1980's.  :)  It is a potluck special casserole and you can make this as side dish or a main dish depending on your needs.  Here is a link to the recipe that reminded me of my old favorite.

https://www.tasteofsouthern.com/veg-all-casserole-recipe/#comment-107890

If you want a yummy vegetable side dish, you can make it just like her recipe calls for.  However, if you want a more substantial side dish or main dish, check out my recipe below.  I will mention substitution possibilities as we go since this dish tastes amazing with many variations.

Recipe:
pre-heat oven to 350 degrees  butter 9x13 pan

1 large can (or 2 small cans) Veg-all casserole  (prefer the brand name, can use the store brand)
1 can creamy soup (any kind will work)
1 cup mayo (do not use salad dressing/miracle whip)
1 sm. chopped onion (finely chopped if you are not a fan of onion)  (or sub 1/2 tsp onion powder)
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar

1 bag Pepperidge Farms stuffing divided 

optional:  2 stalks celery, sliced thin
                 2 cups chicken (canned or shredded/chopped
                     left over chicken)


(Special Note:  Use 2/3rds of bag of stuffing for this recipe, place remaining 1/3 of bag into a baggie and seal for use in another recipe.  Then, divide the 2/3rds of a bag into 2 portions, 2/3rds and 1/3rd.  Sort through the 1/3rd to remove larger pieces and return them to the 2/3rds pile.  You will use the 1/3rd portion for crumbs on top.  You will not like the larger pieces on top.)


1.  Mix soup, mayo, onion, cheddar and celery in large bowl.

2.  Add cheddar and 2/3rd portion of stuffing to bowl and mix.

3.  Finally, add veg-all and fold in gently.

4.  Put mixture into 9x13 pan and spread level.

5.  Sprinkle remaining 1/3 portion of stuffing on top and put in oven for 30 minutes.






This recipe goes great with any meat you are serving.  You can serve with pork chops, BBQ, ribs, Steak, chicken, etc.


If you are looking for a complete meal, here is a great idea:

Chicken Breast
Casserole 
Green Veggies or Salad

My poached chicken breast was yummy, but looks terrible here.  :)   Sorry for the presentation issue.  This is really a complete meal without the green veggie, because your carbs and veggies are in the side dish, but presentation and health wise, you are better off adding some green.  :)  So I added the celery leaves for color and texture.



Also, I just want to address the Mayo/salad dressing issue.  As a food person, there is very little food that I do not prefer to eat.  In this case, I love both Mayo and miracle whip, although for different purposes.  In this recipe, you need to use mayo only.  Trust me when I say that Miracle Whip or any salad dressing will not make a pleasant dish.  However, there are many dishes where I prefer Miracle Whip, probably because that is what I grew up using so the flavors are what I expect.  You can choose to use whichever you prefer.  However, realize that you will get a VERY different flavor profile and it may not be what the originator of the recipe intended.

Have a GREAT DAY!

2012 Home School High School Prom

Home School High School Prom 2012:

There were many young people in attendance at the annual Home School High School Prom on Friday April 13th, 2012. The prom committee consisted of three dedicated moms who wanted their children to have the time of their lives while providing an opportunity for all the home schooled kids in the local communities to experience a special event usually reserved for their public and private school peers.

We are very blessed to have this kind of occasion for our children in the Augusta area. There are homeschooled children all over America who do not have access to an event of this magnitude and I, for one, would like to say thank you to Mrs. Jacqueline Griffin, Mrs. Gail Pendergrast, and Mrs. Christy Bolineau. Without these three wonderful women, we would not have had a Prom these last two years.



If you have not seen pictures yet, I can assure you that our children had a GOOD time. There was food and dancing and door prizes. Each Senior who wished to participate got to walk the red carpet and be recognized for their accomplishments. There was a nice slide show, showcasing the seniors throughout their lives.

The dresses were beautiful and ran the gamut from longer to shorter. I did not see them all but some really stood out. The outdoor-themed dress with tree branches and leaves with hot pink satin trim definitely was memorable. The young lady wearing this dress looked very happy and so did her date. The lovely white dress with black accents was my favorite. It reminded me of Audrey Hepburn for some reason, very elegant.

The dress with fairy wings definitely takes the prize for most unique and the young lady in the hot-pink ball gown absolutely glowed with happiness. I thought that the couple in the kilt and renaissance-inspired garb were very courageous. We really enjoyed their formal dress. There was a lovely blue dress in ombre, which means it transitions from a dark to light color seamlessly and it was breathtaking. There were so many dresses and so many girls. The dresses ran the color palette but it seemed that variations on blue and purple were very popular. Of course the traditional black and white combo is always a classy choice.

The young men were equally charming in their tuxes, suits, and kilts, with the Kilt winning the prize for most unique. The top-hat and cane were lovely accessories for one young man and the blue and gold vest on another fellow was quite a bold choice. The guys usually go for their color in smaller doses with ties and handkerchiefs or vests, but one hot pink shirt, which matched his date’s dress, was another bold idea. The grey suit and pink shirt went together very well.

The location this year, First Baptist Church of Augusta, was a WONDERFUL choice. With such an extensive campus they were able to provide a first rate venue for this happening which made it even more enjoyable.

The work that goes into making this prom happen means that some wonderful people are sacrificing their every spare moment to get this done each year. I am always amazed at how these very busy women find the time and energy to plan and execute this exciting occasion for our teens. If you see one of the moms listed above, please take the opportunity to thank her for her hard work and dedication. They deserve it.