Crouton Celery Casserole Recipes

JEANETTE'S FAMOUS BROCCOLI AND CROUTON CASSEROLE, RACHAELMAGIZED

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat EVOO over medium heat in saute pan. Add the butter to the oil and when it foams, add the garlic, thyme, parsley and pepper and swirl for 1 to 2 minutes. Place the bread in a large bowl and toss with the butter sauce and half the cheese. Arrange on a baking sheet and bake until deeply golden and crispy, 20 minutes. The croutons can be stored wrapped in foil at room temp or in an airtight container for several days.
• Bring a couple of inches of water to boil in a deep skillet. Salt the water and add the broccoli. Cook to tender-crisp, 5 minutes; drain. The broccoli can be stored in the fridge in a plastic bag for several days.
• To assemble and bake the casserole, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and arrange the croutons in a dish. Top with the broccoli, chicken, soup and remaining 3/4 to 1 cup Parm. Bake until hot throughout and golden on top, 35 to 40 minutes.
• For the poached chicken stock: Place the chicken, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, lemon, herb bundle, peppercorns and salt in a pot, cover with water and bring to a low boil. Reduce heat to simmer and simmer for 1 hour minimum. Cool the chicken in the broth. Remove the chicken and cool. Separate the meat and pull or chop into bite-size pieces. Reserve for the Broccoli Casserole preparation. The chicken can be stored in a plastic bag in the fridge for 4 days. Strain the stock and reserve for soup.
• For the soup: Heat a soup pot over medium heat. Melt the butter and when it begins to foam, add the celery, onions and garlic; season with celery salt and pepper. Add the fresh bay leaf to pot, partially cover, and cook until very tender and soft, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the potatoes, celeriac and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a low rolling boil and simmer, partially covered, for another 20 minutes, then puree with an immersion blender. Cool the soup and store for a make-ahead meal.
• Place the soup in a stockpot and stir in the cream. Bring to simmer and taste to adjust seasoning.
• Yield: 4 to 6 servings (plus 3 to 4 cups to reserve for Broccoli Casserole)

CHICKEN AND RICE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
• In a large bowl, stir together chicken, rice, mayonnaise, condensed soup, chicken broth, onion, celery and almonds. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
• In a separate bowl, stir together Ritz cracker crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle over top of the casserole.
• Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes (or until hot, bubbly, and golden brown on top).

CHICKEN SWISS CASSEROLE

Steps:

• season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder (whatever seasoning you like) cube and cook until no longer pink.
• set aside in a bowl put diced celery, diced onion, miracle whip, milk, salt and pepper.
• mix well.
• add all but about 1/2c.
• of the shredded cheese.
• stir in cooked chicken~mix well.
• stir in croutons, also reserving about 1/2c.
• in a casserole dish or roaster with lid, pour in chicken mixture.
• top with reserved croutons and cheese.
• bake at 350* for 40 minutes.

CARROT CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Place carrots in a saucepan and cover with water; bring to a boil. Cook until crisp-tender. Meanwhile, in a skillet, saute onions in 3 tablespoons butter until tender. Stir in the soup, salt, pepper and cheddar cheese. , Drain carrots; add to the onion mixture. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with croutons. Melt remaining butter; drizzle over croutons. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes.

ZUCCHINI CHICKEN CASSEROLE WITH CROUTONS

Steps:

• Slice zucchini 1/4 inch thick. Blanch briefly in salted water until crisp/tender then drain.
• Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet and saute carrots and onions until tender, not brown.
• Fold in soup, sour cream and about 1/2 C of the chicken broth and about 2/3 of the croutons. Gently fold drained zucchini into mixture. If the mixture seems a little on the dry side then more of the chicken broth until you get the right consistency. The croutons will absorb some of the moisture as the dish cooks so you want the casserole to be nice and juicy before you put it in the oven.
• Place in greased casserole and put remaining croutons on top. Melt the remaining 2 T of butter and pour over the casserole. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.