A true American classic, the casserole is as rich in flavor as it is in culinary history. This creamy, cheesy or crispy-topped dish, usually made with a combination of meat, vegetables and rice or pasta, has become one of the most beloved and popular entréles ever created.The casserole, as we know it today, evolved during the 1940s, as more women joined the workforce and had less time to prepare dinner for their families. One-dish meals were a great way to stretch a basic pantry, reinvent leftovers and put a wholesome, home-cooked meal on the table quickly and easily.
Once the war ended and the economy rebounded, the casserole took on a fancier feel and became a suppertime centerpiece, even at elegant dinner parties. In addition, many classic casserole recipes from that era featured convenient pantry staples such as canned vegetables, rice or noodles and condensed soups, such as Campbell's Cream of Mushroom, as the sauce.
Today, casseroles are still a family favorite and can be customized to suit your friends' and family's individual tastes. In fact, casseroles ranked fourth on the list of America's most often made main dishes. Usually requiring 10 minutes or less of prep time, they are a great change of pace when you're looking to create a balanced, homemade meal.Once the war ended and the economy rebounded, the casserole took on a fancier feel and became a suppertime centerpiece, even at elegant dinner parties. In addition, many classic casserole recipes from that era featured convenient pantry staples such as canned vegetables, rice or noodles and condensed soups, such as Campbell's Cream of Mushroom, as the sauce.
Crispy ChickenI like chicken, especially those with crispy skins. This dish got me salivating with its tender and juicy meat beneath paper thin skin that crackled with every bite. It didn't come across as too salty or bland either and was a hit with all of us.
golden chiken with spicy refried bean
Chicken is versatile, low-fat, and downright delicious, as the innovative dishes in this volume attest. Here are more than 70 flavorful recipes for the original white meat, all of which can be prepared in 20 minutes or less. Dinner guests will swoon over elegant Chicken with Creamy Mustard Sauce, which comes together in less than 15 minutes. And for lunch? Tasty, easy-to-assemble Barbecue Chicken and Cheddar Calzones. Whether roasted whole, cut into pieces on the bone, or pared down to boneless, skinless breasts, chicken is a surefire family favorite. Like all of Rodale's New Classics, this book employs quick-cooking ingredients and timesaving techniques for today's harried home cooks, and it includes complete nutritional analyses and more than 30 mouth-watering photographs.