2 replies to this topic

[Cheater]

Tonight I was planning the big Turkey Day get-together with younger son and daughter-in-law and this is one of the dishes I'll be making to bring to the party. It's just about the best squash casserole I've ever had. As good as leftovers as on the first day, too.
 
Three Dollar Cafe Squash Casserole
 
From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution a few decades ago, this recipe from the Three Dollar Cafe is one of the AJC Food & Drink staff's most requested recipes.
 
This dish was created in 1980 by chef Lobo Griffin when a friend of his raved about a squash casserole she had recently had. Going by how she described the dish, Griffin tried numerous combinations of ingredients until his friend said, “That’s it.” Griffin brought the casserole with him in 1983 when he started working for Three Dollar Cafe, and it has become one of the signature items on the menu.
 
Makes 8 servings
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 35-40 minutes

Ingredients:
4 medium yellow squash, cut in 1/4-inch slices
2 medium zucchini, cut in 1/4-inch slices
1-1/2 cups water
1-1/2 cups chopped onion
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
2 large eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 tablespoon liquid chicken base
White pepper to taste
1-1/2 cups panko (Japanese bread crumbs) or regular seasoned bread crumbs
1-1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
3/4 cup (or 10 slices) American cheese

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking dish. Set aside. In a large pot over medium heat, add squash, zucchini, and water. Cook 20 minutes or until tender. Drain. Meanwhile, saute onion in melted butter in medium skillet until tender. In a large mixing bowl, combine squash and sauteed onion. Beat eggs to blend and pour into vegetables. Add sugar, salt, bouillon, white pepper, crumbs, and cheddar cheese. Mix well. Pour into prepared baking dish. Top with American cheese. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until top is lightly browned.
 
1) Note: there's no sour cream in this and you'll find that hard to believe.
2) While chicken bullion can be substituted for the liquid chicken base (which is basically a commercial product), it won't be as good as if you use a chicken base paste or powder like Better Than Bullion or the little Knorr stock cups. If you need to use bullion, use three cubes dissolved in a bit of hot water and cut down on the 3/4 tsp salt a bit.

[Pablo]

Looks like a winner. But it's way too expensive for Herrmann at $3. 

[Bill from NH]

This online cooking is looking a lot line online dating.