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Thursday, June 12, 2008

For the Church Potluck ... Or the Family Reunion

At every church potluck dinner or social event in the South, you can bet on the appearance of a Velveeta-laden broccoli-rice casserole (made with white rice of course ... and sometimes even chicken). As a young lacto-ovo vegetarian, I loved the meat-free version of this classic casserole. So tonight, I re-created it vegan-style for my cookbook. Here's a bowl of my Broccoli Brown Rice & Cheeze Casserole:


This dish is super creamy, thanks to nooch sauce and homemade vegan cream of mushroom soup. Homemade sprouted grain breadcrumbs were the perfect topping, adding a little crunch right where it was needed. The perfect childhood comfort food. It brought me back to a time when life was simpler ... when there were no bills to pay, no work to do. Summer days meant swimming the neighbor's pool, riding bikes through the neighborhood, and making home movies on my parents' clunky 1980s video recorder. It's crazy how one bite can take you way, way back.


I'm going to have a whole section of my cookbook devoted to casseroles. I adore a good casserole. No need for a side dish. Just plop everything in one Corningware dish, toss it in the oven, and 30 minutes later, you've got yourself a meal. So retro!

15 comments:

  1. mmm, broccoli and rice casserole! that sounds incredible, and I think I've never tried that combination before! when's your cookbook coming?

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  2. I love casseroles too and I often find that vegan cookbooks and blogs completely ignore them. I can't wait to read your cookbook!

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  3. Hooray for casseroles! Sigh...the beloved 80's...I do miss those carefree days of youth when it was cool to ride a lavender 10-speed bike and curl your bangs into a stiff immobile mass. Not that I did that...It looks as though your casserole made leftovers...you could ship some my way.

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  4. what a fine-looking casserole! it's funny, casseroles never piqued my interest before i was vegan, but i find myself really wanting to eat yours. i am excited that you're coming out with a cookbook -- i don't know that!

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  5. This looks awesome. And so very comforting. Broccoli is one of those things I never used to like and now *love,* I bet it's great with cheeze!

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  6. Ok, SERIOUSLY now, WHEN is this cookbook coming out???

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  7. That looks delicious! I love the cheezy broccoli rice from the Uncheese Cookbook, and that looks even tastier.

    I love casseroles too! So fun and retro and the perfect excuse to sit around reading while dinner's in the oven.

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  8. AHH I CANT WAIT TILL YOUR BOOK IS PUBLISHED!!! Seriously.. i look at your posts and think....I need to make this.. I need to make this.. and this and this!!! Casseroles are so much fun and are always satisfying to the tastebuds!

    Your description of a young carefree summer makes me miss being a kid ::Tear::

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  9. We called this green rice when I was a kid- made with Cheeze Whiz! Gross! But i loved it!!! Please stop teasing us with your delicious inventions!

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  10. You are so right about casseroles and the south. And this is too funny because I have a church youth group reunion coming up in July and I'm pretty sure I will be the only vegan there (and probably the only one who doesn't go to church anymore but that's another story!). Can't wait to see your chapter of casseroles!

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  11. WOW that looks soooo good!! Please share the recipe soon?!?! :)

    ~Erin @ "Vegan & the City"

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  12. I don't think I've ever made a casserole. Yours is so inspiring! I loved cheese covered broccoli when I was a kid, too. That it so awesome that you're writing a cookbook!!!

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  13. I will gladly test and eat all your casseroles. This, scalloped potatoes and corn casserole would be my perfect southern blue plate special.

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  14. YUMM. I want some of that. Annnnd, I want to go back to your parents house and make home videos...and I don't want to pay bills anymore.

    Please and thank you.

    Come visit.

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I live for your comments!! Seriously. I'm waiting right now for you to write something.