And we give tuna rice casserole a try.

We periodically order grocery boxes. These are great. we often get things that I love but would not normally buy because of cost, and no one in the house but me would eat. Like swiss chard and garlic scape.  Our boxes generally come with recipes that incorporate some of the items.  

 The kids and I generally try them out when DH isn't home. Of course, the kids are by far my biggest food critics. CJ at this point will eat just about anything I put in front of him. (he is almost a teen now, man can that kid pack it away!!) But he lets me know what he thinks. I am glad for that. he has learned to be pretty easy with it. 

This one got a big thumbs up from CJ, a tolerable but I don't really love it from JT and AJ and, of course, the Princess wouldn't even try it. This is not the recipe as it was written. This is it how I made it. Taste testing it before the oven I felt it was written to be so bland. This is my spiced up version. Feel free to drop the seasonings if you are out or if they are not your thing.

Tuna Rice Casserole serves 4

    *2 C water                                  1 can tuna drained 

*1 C rice                                    1 can green beans drained & rinsed

2-3 tbsp butter or oil                  1 can mushroom pieces drained

1 sm onion chopped                   pepper to taste

3 tbsp flour                                dash of garlic powder and seasoning salt (or just salt)

1 1/2 C milk                              grated cheese enough to cover top

1tsp Worcestershire sauce

*Use 2 1/2 - 3 cups of left over rice OR Make rice to package directions.

(usually 2C water, boil, add 1 C rice. Lower heat and cover until rice is tender and water is absorbed. approx. 20 mins.)

While rice is cooking... make the sauce (you can also skip this whole next paragraph and heat a can of mushroom soup with a half can of water in your saucepan)

Melt butter or heat oil in lg saucepan. Add onion and cook until soft (3-5 mins). Add flour, stir while cooking (about 5 more mins). pour milk in slowly while stirring. Add Worcestershire sauce. Allow to boil and thicken.

Remove from heat and add cooked rice, tuna green beans, mushrooms and mix well. Add seasonings to taste. Put casserole into a lightly greesed 8x8x2inch baking pan sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 20 – 25 mins or until hot at 375F or 190C

Thinking Ahead

I have been having this idea for quite a while now. I am completely sure I am not the first one to ever do this, but I have a great desire, now that I am looking having a child in their teenage years straight in the face,  to make sure that I am going to be setting them all up to be successful out of the home. (sigh) so I have this idea to put together a book that they can take with them when they go off on their  own world adventure of just the way we do things. I am not talking about lists of rules or anything similar, But more like a guide to recipe's they like, hints and tips. you know stuff so I know they will not be looking in their cupboards and then going for take out and help them keep their clothes clean.

Hubby and I do insist that most of the time the kids go to the grocery store with us.  I was surprised when I was married the first time that my then husband was so unaware of how to shop. And even still his desire to have a freezer full of ready made meals and not cook at all. Or even his lack of appreciation for the time that went into making a meal (burnt or not). Now, I'm not knocking ready made dinners, they do have a time and a place. My current hubby used to be quite happy eating them from time to time. Now he won't touch them, but that is my bad influence. (way over salted!!)

So anyways. short story long, ;) I am planning on (see if I can keep it up this time) getting back here. I do not want a huge page file on my computer and this way in the future, I can grab my labels and print off everything in some sort of order.


<3     Guys, if your reading this in the future, here is your digital version. :)   <3