Crystal Cook - The Casserole Queens Make-a-Meal Cookbook: Mix and Match 100 Casseroles, Salads, Sides, and Desserts

Copyright 2013 by Sandy Pollock and Crystal Cook
Photographs copyright 2013 by Ben Fink

All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.
www.crownpublishing.com
www.clarksonpotter.com

CLARKSON POTTER is a trademark and POTTER with colophon is a registered trademark of Random House, Inc.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Cook, Crystal.
The casserole queens make-a-meal cookbook: mix and match 100 casseroles, salads, sides, and desserts / Crystal Cook and Sandy Pollock. First edition.
pages cm
Includes index.
1. Casserole cooking. I. Pollock, Sandy. II. Title.
TX693.C645 2013
641.821dc23 2012046898

ISBN 978-0-7704-3680-3
eISBN 978-0-7704-3681-0

Book and cover design by Rae Ann Spitzenberger
Cover photographs by Ben Fink

v3.1

All too often, our ambition consumes us,
and leads to hasty decisions. An intelligent spouse
can help refine and focus that drive.

JACQUELINE KENNEDY

This book is for Michael Lovitt
and Tim Tankersley . Thank you for keeping
us focused throughout our casserole journey!
(And, yes, we know what a task that must be
shiny objects are just so distracting!)

Hi, its Crystal and Sandy, and were back for a second helping! Were the Casserole Queens, two dear friends who are proudly front and center of a growing casserole movement. We, along with thousands of other folks across the country, are reviving this American mealtime staple with fresh ingredients and updated flavors. Of course, we like to throw in some kitsch and retro-chic style, to keep things fun with a nod to the 1950s, when casseroles reigned supreme. But these delightfully simple and wholesome dishes are truly timeless and are the best way to put a delicious, from-scratch meal on the table so that you can actually sit down with your family at the end of the day. As we kick off our second cookbook, were taking the concept a step further, giving you great ways to add even more spontaneity and flair to your meals. So grab your quirkiest apron, grease up a casserole dish, and get ready for a fresh new batch of hot-from-the-oven goodness thatll have your family crowded around the table.

We love casseroles for the fact that you can get an entire meal out of one simple dish (they arent called one-dish wonders for nothin). Most casseroles are packed with all the wonderful flavors you need to satisfy everyone in your family, even the picky ones. But a good meal doesnt end there, and the Casserole Queens are always looking for ways to shake things up! We might like a nice, crisp salad to accompany a hearty baked pasta, or a homemade cornbread to complement a spicy Tex-Mex dish. And since we figured we werent alone, we thought wed jot it all down for you in this nice little book. So pick it up any time to help you mix-and-match your own menu and make a meal that youll be proud of!

Weve packed this book with forty-six casserole entre recipes and fifty salads, sides, and desserts that break out of the 9 13-inch mold. Dont worry, our casseroles are always center stagewe cant help it! But that doesnt mean they have to stand alone. Theres plenty of variety here for you to keep your loved ones interested, and maybe even excited, to sit down at the table. And thats just the point. Cooking and planning should be easy, so you can enjoy good time spent with family. Yes, it is possible. Make sure to look for our recommendations of what goes good with what, but feel free to make it your own! Here is just a taste of what you can expect to findfresh, new ideas paired with the perfect recipe:

Entertainer Extraordinaire Planning dinner for friends? In-laws? The big cheese? Try classic staples that will surely impress, such as our Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic with Carrot Souffl and Asparagus Bundles Wrapped in Prosciutto. Just one of the many great ideas we have for easy, fun, and economical ways to entertain. (Maybe now will be a good time to ask the ol boss for a raise.)

Timely Favorites If extra time is something you only dream about, then our chapter of recipes requiring just seven ingredients or fewer is for you! Try our Super-Simple Spinach-Stuffed Shells with Broccoli Rabe with Shallots for rumbling tummies. These recipes come together in a flash and are an easy way to get dinner on the table before the family starts giving you the stink-eye.

Adventurous Palate Throw your typical Tuesday night a curveball! Explore the wonders of our Moussaka plated with a side of our Tomato and Feta Salad for a true Mediterranean feast. Were setting out to show the world that there are casseroles for every type of connoisseurso pack your favorite 9 13-inch dish, because were going international, baby!

No gluten? No meat? No problem! Dietary restrictions dont have to mean casseroles cant be a part of your life. Pair our Rustic Polenta Casserole (packed with mushrooms, tomatoes, and ricotta cheese) with our Panzanella Salad for a delightful and filling vegetarian meal. Weve made a conscious effort to address some of the dietary challenges that many of us have. In fact, youll find an entire chapter especially devoted to helping you out in the kitchen. Theres nothing like exciting, new recipes to make you feel good about your choices. Youll also find pointers for simple substitutions that can transform recipes to meet vegetarian, gluten-free, or even diabetic-friendly diets. See for more information on these recipes.

You see, folks, casseroles are fun, retro, and exactly our thing, but that doesnt mean theyre all we do. Were keeping dinner time interesting with a plethora of side dishes, salads, and dessert options to help round out your square table! So lets go make that meal! We promise to keep it simple and, most important, fun (we like fun).

First and foremost, we want to clearly state that the Queens are not doctors. Nor would anyone in their right mind ever want to cast us to play doctors on TV. So please note that this book is not intended to be a nutritional guide, and that you should have your doctor or nutritionist advise you as to what is best for you and your specific needs.