Wonderful casserole cookbook!

[kbucky]

With all the casserole threads I've seen here lately, I just had to share my excitement over my latest discovery at the public library (which, incidently, has an awesome cookbook section!)... "The Big Book of Casseroles" by Maryana Vollstedt.

The recipes are not necessarily light, but she does include tips on cutting out the calories and has a section of 'low-fat casseroles.' She has recipes for all occasions; family meals to nice dinner parties. Lots of do-ahead tips, too.

Listen to these recipes...

Shrimp, Wild Rice, and Mushroom Bake
Baked Tandoori Chicken on Lentils
Chicken Bundles with dijon-wine sauce
Chicken, Artichoke and Broccoli Casserole
Spinach, parmesan cheese, and rotini with pine nuts

Can't wait to try some of these! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Mousie29]

Thank you!

[jazzcat]

Kbucky,

Any chance you have the recipie to the Chicken, Broccoli and Artichoke Casserole? Sounds quite tempting. TIA

[aka]

I second this nomination! I own this cookbook and I use it often. Only one recipe didn't really do it for me. I've made several repeaters too. I recommended this book to my sister, she bought it and she has also enjoyed it. My only regret is that I didn't think to recommend it here!

The only real complaint I have of the book is that sometimes the extra step of putting it in the oven (to make it an "official casserole") seems unnecessary in some recipes; but that's a small thing really. Here's some of the recipes I've tried and liked (there's more, but looking through the book I can't remember exactly which ones I tried and which ones I have yet to try...this thread has made me realize I better start making notes to myself about this!):

Moussaka
Baked Pesto Tomatoes
Cheese-Stuffed Zucchini
Baked Risotto

Here's the Chicken, Artichoke, and Broccoli Casserole for you. You actually get the recipe and a review -- I've made this and I'll make it again. It was delish.

Chicken, Artichoke, and Broccoli Casserole
4 cups broccoli florets
4 TB butter or margarine
12 oz mushrooms, sliced
4 TB all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cup Chicken Stock (there's a recipe for it in the book) OR canned low-sodium chicken broth
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/8 tsp salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
4 chooked chicken breast halves, cut into bite-size pieces
1 can (14 oz) quartered artichoke hearts, drained
Freshly greated Parm. cheese for sprinkling on top

Add some water to a pan fitted with a steamer rack over medium heat. Place broccoli on rack and steam, covered, over gently boiling water until tender-crisp, about 6 minutes. Drain under cold water and set aside on a large plate.

In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt 1 TB butter. Ad mushrooms and saute until slightly tender, about 5 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove to plate holding the broccoli.

Melt remaining 3 TB butter in the skillet over medium heat. Add flour and blend. Add stock, mustard, and seasonings and whisk until sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Add cheese and stir until smooth.

Preheat oven to 350F. In a 4-quart casserole dish place half of the chicken, top with half the vegetables, and repeat layers once more. Pour sauce over all. Cover and bake until bubbly, about 40 minutes. Stir and top with Parm. cheese. Bake, uncovered, until cheese melts, 5 to 10 minutes longer.

[kbucky]

Thanks for the review, aka!

I was contemplating which of these to make tonight, but I noted that the author uses bone-in chicken for most of her poultry casseroles...for added flavor (fat) and all...I am a real boneless-chicken-breast-sort of girl, and I know I could substitute but I usually like to follow recipes closely the first time...and I'm short all sorts of ingredients besides....

I'll review after making some of these! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[valeriek]

I just added this book to my cookbook collection. I've marked several recipes that I would like to make. I'm glad others have had success with this book. There is nothing I hate more than buying a cookbook, making a few recipes out of it, hating them all, then never looking at the book again. This one looks like a real winner.

[RUSTYSMOM]

Thanks for sharing the chicken, artichoke and brocoli recipe - it was excellent. A definate repeater!! My 3 1/2 year old couldn't get enough of the artichokes!

[chefbec]

I have this one, too. Try the chicken, black bean and tortilla casserole. It's excellent!

[CindyWeightWatcher]

Does anyone have any other recommendations from
this cookbook? Thanks.

[BlueMoose]

I've made the Spaghetti Bake with Meat Sauce and Three Cheeses. That was pretty good. I used turkey. I really should look through this book again and try a few more things.

[KimKelly]

I ordered this book from the Good Cook club 2 months ago and I'm still waiting! So frustrating..... I run to the darn mail box every day and then get my sad face out when it still is not there. They said they sent it again on 5/17.... Maybe tomorrow!

Kim

[kima]

Hope you have a Happy Face real soon Kim. Here's one in the mean time!!:)

[Jewel]

Will you people ever stop costing me money!?? :rolleyes: I just ordered this book on Amazon for $7.49 + shipping! Can't wait to receive it! In the meantime, chefbec mentions a chicken, black bean and tortilla casserole...would someone be able to post that one? Pretty please? :D

[DmOrtega]

I posted the chicken, black bean and tortilla casserole recipe on the Cookbook Challenge-For March 31st (http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?threadid=22690&highlight=chicken+black+bean+and+tortilla+casserol e) thread. I hope that you enjoy the recipe and the book.

[AndreaU]

This was one of my Good Cook selections. I love it EXCEPT... no pictures (see thread about what you look at first in cookbooks- I'm a picture nut).

Anyway, here's a link to the index:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/books/0811822605/reader/17/002-9062679-7964067#reader-link

If anyone would like a recipe, let one of us know! (or just give in like Jewel & buy your own!)

I liked the Rotini, Fresh Basil, Pine Nuts & Cheese casserole, Famous Spinach-Rice casserole, Fiesta Casserole, and the Cheese Stuffed Zucchini.

[KimKelly]

:)

Kima! Thanks... yours brought one to my face!

Much appreciated....
but still no book! LOL

K

[kima]

I feel your pain Kim! A watched postman never delivers!! Hang in there!:) :) :) :)

[KimKelly]

:D :D :D :D :D

I'm so excited! It's here! It's here! It's here!
My wonderful post lady brought it yesterday and even left it by the door. Now if only I could find the time to read it! Got to get those kids to take a nap....

Kim

[vbak]

I ordered the casserole and soup and stew books by Maryanna. I will be waiting for the mail. Vicky

[Jean]

I love this book, also. So far I've tried the Tuna-Noodle Casserole (w/a white sauce) & the Turkey or Chicken & Spaghetti (Great!).
I'm "almost" sorry summer is here, I seem to back off on casseroles this time of year.

[Sami]

This is sooo bad. I just ordered a copy from Amazon. I could cook for thenext 100 years to use everything from my cookbook collection!!!!

Sami