Monday, April 13, 2009

Why I Gain 65 lbs Right Before Swimsuit Season Each Year

I adore carbs, folks. I mean really, really adore them. I know it's wrong, but I could eat them in a box and I could eat them with a fox. I could eat them in a train and in the dark and in the rain....

And I can pile my plate with them for Easter dinner with nary a healthy thing in sight and feel NO SHAME. Well, at least I have no problem with shame at that moment. It's sitting at the Dr.'s office with a cholesterol level of 272 that the old shame kinda kicks in. Anyway...

Behold, a thing of unparalleled beauty:




But look a little closer (at this really crappy quality picture... I'm losing patience with my little camera, y'all):



This is the thing that makes me thrilled that I draw breath (and probably will be directly responsible for 10 or so years being taken off of that breathing time).


It's Bean and Corn Casserole. Such a paltry little name for something so luscious. It should be named something like Bean and Corn PIZZAZZ!


I was first introduced to this dish right after I gave birth to my last baby. You know how you're so completely ravenous right after you get home, and if you are blessed enough, all of those sweet women from your church bring you AWESOME homecooked meals? (I swear, that's reason enough for me to have a child a year.) Anyway, this was a side dish to one of them.


And the angels sang.


I have never been the same since. I think it's the topping, really. Because other than that, there isn't any good reason for it to be so yummy. But it is what it is, and I love it.


Here's the recipe:
1 can French style green beans (drained)
1 can whole kernel corn (drained)
1 can cream of celery soup
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
pinch of salt
1 roll of crushed Ritz crackers
1 stick melted butter
1/2 cup slivered almonds
Mix first 6 ingredients and spread into a casserole dish. Melt the butter, then add the crushed crackers and almonds. Mix well and spread on top of the first layer. Bake at 350* for 45 minutes (uncovered).




Ridiculous, I tell ya. Now tell me, what is a must-have side for your Easter dinner? And Krista, if you are reading this, tell Bunga she has a jewel in her crown for that postpartum dinner.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yum...I added that one to my recipe file!

I love Paula Deen's mac and cheese...but alas my family loves the boxed junk...sigh. No class I tell you :)

Now I am going to have to make it this week after thinking about it!

melissajeffers said...

I have that very pie plate. It sounds yummy!!

Anonymous said...

LOL You and me both! I was just grimacing because the jeans I am wearing tomorrow are going to be tight. (I'm having washer issues - down to my last pair of jeans!)

Have a blessed week!

Sherry

Rach@In His Hands said...

Oooo, yum!

Welcome back!!

EEEEMommy said...

We have roast leg of lamb with homemade mango chutney, parsley potatoes, and asparagus.
I think I need to try that recipe! And I totally remember how awesome food tasted postpartum. I still remember this crouton chicken dish my neighbor made! Mmm mmm mmm!

EEEEMommy said...

By the way, those dishes are lovely!!

Cheryl said...

I honestly believe you could put ANYTHING in a casserole dish, pour some kind of Cambells cream soup on it, top it with crackers and it would come out scrumptious!!!

I'm definitely going to try this recipe. But since I'm 2 days from having a baby, I'll be (hopefully)getting some good meals from our church family!!! ;-)

Halfmoon Girl said...

mmmm....carbs. We speak the same love language. That looks gooo-oood.

Anonymous said...

Oh my word, that dish looks AMAZING!!!

My hubby's grandmother makes these cinnamon peaches that are DIVINE. Now before you think they are all healthy, let me just say they contain several dollops of brown sugar, melted butter, and some of the HEAVY syrup from the can. :)

I'm glad to hear I wasn't the only one wanting to eat my way through the fridge after I got home from the hospital.

Anonymous said...

I will definitely pass this on to Bunga! :o)
I'm so glad you're back!!

javamamma said...

I love green bean casserole and I love corn casserole so this sounds FANTASTIC! I'm a carb girl all the way. Hope your Easter weekend was blessed.

Oh, in case you haven't got to twitter....yes, we are moving. We resigned our church and are going into full-time traveling ministry. God has opened some amazing doors for us to launch out into my husband's dream 'job'! We start hauling stuff mid-May and our last Sunday is May 31. Pray for our house to sell quickly, if you think about it!

Ruth said...

Hi! Gayle~

This looks awesome. Sounds so yummy.

I hope you and your family had a nice Easter.

Ruth

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Didja really have to publish that recipe???

Fran said...

Oh my goodness. I'm speechless.

Krista said...

That is funny! The recipe looks delicious, I will have to try it!

Have a great day!
Krista

Donna said...

Holy Moly That looks GOOOOD! I am thinking there is a place on the buffet at the next potluck for that bad boy! How would it fare in a warmer if my hubby ran over...wait, when he runs over! Haha!

Jenni at talking hairdryer said...

I love broccoli and cheese casserole. We don't count it as a carb though since it has broccoli in it. That's our family's little holiday lie we tell ourselves.

Kristin said...

We always have ham, sweet potatoes and green bean casserole. But your looks pretty good. I might have to sub that in for green bean casserole next time!

Anonymous said...

Oh, that looks HEAVENLY! I'm adding it my my recipe collection right now! (Even though I have taken of vow to go easy on the casserole conusmption).