My Favorite Meal...Ever

Welcome to the last Foodie Friday of September. On this second official day of fall, the morning air is chilly, the sun is shining, and the crickets are chirping. All I need to complete my favorite season are the Canadian geese to fly into the pond honking. I love this time of year, sigh.

I have debated all week about what recipe to share with you. Much to my bib overall wearing wonder buns chagrin, I have decided to share my all-time favorite comfort food meal from my childhood. I anticipate this will be met with mixed reviews because our house is divided on the deliciousness of this meal. However, The Bean and I love it, so The Bibbed Wonder is voted off the farm.

While growing up, my favorite meal was Tuna Noodle Casserole. I know; it’s kind of weird. I would ask for tuna noodle casserole for my special birthday dinner. This meal was made to help me feel better if I was sick. Tuna noodle casserole is also a meal that was made to celebrate a milestone. I loved this warm, creamy comfort food. As a child, my favorite meal was met with disdain from my dad and my sister. The last time my mom made it for me for my birthday, my dad refused to eat it and called it “slop.” I didn’t care; I relished every bite.

My bib overall wearing food critic also “turns up his nose” at my favorite meal. However, The Bean and I love it, so he sometimes has to suffer through it. I don’t make it often because Eric doesn’t like it, but I am transported back to my childhood when I do. The Bean and I laugh at Eric lamenting over the torture of tuna noodle casserole. I round out the meal with my favorite fall dessert, apple crisp.

Apple crisp also reminds me of my childhood. Not only did my mom make it for us in the fall and winter, but my school also made it. It was a special treat to have warm apple crisp on the menu at school. Now mind you, this is when the cafeteria used to cook meals from scratch for the students. Although I was not in love with all the foods on the school menu, apple crisp was one of the highlights. Like or hate it, this is my favorite recipe and meal. I hope you enjoy it.

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Ingredients:

1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup

1 Can Cream of Celery Soup

½ Cup Miracle Whip

½ Cup Milk

1 Large Can Albacore Tuna, drained

1 Package Wide Egg Noodles

1 Cup Frozen Peas

½ Cup Cornflake Crumbs

3 TBLS. Butter

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Combine soups, Miracle Whip, and milk in a medium-sized mixing bowl, and set aside.

Cook egg noodles according to package directions.

Prepare a large casserole dish with cooking spray. Add drained tuna, peas, and cooked egg noodles, and fold in the soup mixture.

Melt butter and mix in cornflake crumbs. Top noodle mixture with cornflake crumbs, cover, and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Apple Crispie

Ingredients:

¼ Cup Butter

1 Cup Brown Sugar

¼ Cup Flour

¾ Cup Rolled Oats

Pinch of Salt

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1 Cup Chunky Apple Sauce

4 Apples Peeled, Cored, and Sliced

Use a mixer to blend butter and brown sugar until creamy.

Add the flour, rolled oats, salt, and cinnamon.

Grease an 8-inch square baking dish and pour in apple sauce.

Arrange apple slices over the apple sauce.

Sprinkle the rolled oats mixture over the apples. Press down lightly with a fork.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Serve warm. Apple Crispie is delicious, topped with ice cream or whipped cream.

I hope, dear reader, you enjoy my favorite nostalgic meal from my childhood. Is it gourmet? Absolutely not. However, it is delicious, comforting, and filled with fond memories. Send some strength and fortitude out to The Bibbed Wonder tonight as he will have to suffer through another meal of tuna noodle casserole. As my mother used to say, “Some people would love to have tuna noodle casserole for dinner. You’re just lucky you have something to eat!”

On this last Foodie Friday of September, stay safe, be smart, eat what comforts you, enjoy the recipe, and keep washing your hands.