Frugal Casseroles Frugal Foods and Stylish Recipes Professional & University Dining Etiquette

Over the Counter Etiquette
by Harold Almon baesoe.com
Be at Ease School of Etiquette Austin

Casseroles are ideal for the young, the forced frugal: “inventive in the face of necessity,” for people without teeth, and for those who do not cook. They are hard to overcook, easy to reheat, and taste better as leftovers. Always make two; one is to be a vegetarian version.


Suggested casseroles

Beef Bourguignon – you can save doing this until a lot later on, when you get more money and a real stove. You can start with

Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas:

2 ½ cups shredded mozzarella and/or Monterey Jack cheese,

6 cups shredded rotisserie chicken,

½ cup chicken broth (low sodium if you like it,)

1/3 cup fresh cilantro,

1 to 2 Serrano Chile peppers, stemmed and seeded,

8 corn tortillas,

2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil, plus some for coating the casserole dish,

1 small red onion (halved,) and

A pinch of salt (Kosher is you have it.)

A pinch of sugar

1 ½ pounds tomatillo, husked and rinsed


Chicken Enchiladas what to do:

Preheat broiler

Brush 9 by 13 inch casserole pan with 2 tablespoons of EVVO.

Slice half of the onion in thin rings and set aside.

Make a tomatillos sauce: Place the other onion half, tomatillos and Serrano’s on a foil line baking sheet and broil until soft and slightly brown, turning as needed. Blend with ½ teaspoon of salt, and a pinch of sugar.

Wrap the tortillas in a damp towel and microwave until each is warm and soft.

Toss the shredded chicken with 2 cups of shredded cheese. Spoon a portion down the middle of each tortilla. Add a few cilantro leaves and roll up. Place side by side in casserole dish and broil until crisp, about 3 minutes.

Pour the sauce over the enchiladas and top with remaining ½ cup of cheese. Broil again to bubbly and golden. Garnish with onion rings, and any remaining cilantro.

King Ranch Chicken: rotisserie chicken breast and corn tortillas layered in a flavorful sauce with fresh mushrooms, Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses.

Tamal Azteca: rotisserie chicken breast layered with corn tortillas, tomatillo salsa Verde and Cheddar cheese.

Corn Chip Pie

Velveeta Chile Corn Bread Pie. The recipe is on the box.

Casseroles are essentially a stew. Each can be picked up from most good delicatessens, or can be made by very good friends, again, I think food is to be good and served stylishly, and I do not cook. Casseroles can include coq au vin, osso buco, or seafood gumbo.

Ground beef may include almonds, chives, garlic, onions, mushrooms, sherry, sour cream, and tomatoes all simmered down.

Some stews are better when accompanied by a grain: wheat or rice noodles or rice, or a salad. Each can be topped with potato and browned and served. Potatoes can be reserved for fish. Meat may be cooked with dried (or can) beans. Recipes for these abound on the internet.