Power of Tuna Casserole
Since losing my job, our family has been on the budget plan which includes budget dining. As I was preparing a Tuna Noodle Casserole the other evening, I recalled Tom's father's casserole. I remember whenever Tom or I would encounter one of life's bumps in the road, his father would appear at our door with a Tuna Noodle Casserole.
Tuna casserole can be served warm or cold. Tom's father's recipe was usually served cold, whereas mine is served warm. It's easy to make, can be modified to give it a variety of tastes, but most importantly it satisfies hunger while not breaking the bank.
Tom said his Dad made his casserole a lot when he was a kid, usually when his father sensed they were going through a hard time. Tuna casserole has become the meal over which we discuss and solve large scale problems. Usually one or the other person is down in the dumps and a dinner of tuna casserole usually follows with a solution.
Tom and I discussed him starting his own business over cold tuna casserole when he lost his mechanics job back in the mid-90's. That kick-started his racing business which he enjoyed for a few years. On a cold January night, when I lost my job in the late 90's, we discussed me taking time off to go skiing in Colorado with my family. We were dining on a warm casserole of my own recipe. Upon my return I had a job offer which lead to a new career and a Master's degree.
When Tom lost his job at Harley-Davidson four years ago, we discussed finishing the garage over my noodle conglomerate. We now enjoy a heated garage in winter and garden tools so organized it would make Martha Stewart envious.
Last week I resurrected my recipe and I came to realize that in all these times of trouble - it was the noodle casserole who saw us through. The casserole has seen us move from one lost job, to a better job each time. The casserole has seen us through the mourning of lost parents only to show us an inner-strength we didn't know we had. Again - I'm praying for the power of the casserole.
Since dining on it last week, I've made progress with my job search - and have a good lead on a new and exciting new employer. Wish me luck - pray to the tuna noodle Gods that the spell will work again. Here's to the power of Tuna Casserole.
Shelley's Warm Tuna Noodle Casserole
1/2 bag of egg noodles
1 8oz brick of cream cheese
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 cans 5 oz tuna (drained, flaked)
1 can sweet peas
4-6 handfuls of potato chips (Sea Salt Cracked Pepper)
1 Tbsp butter
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare noodles as directed on package. Drain.
Soften cream cheese in microwave or stove top. Mix in cream of mushroom soup mix, tuna, and peas.
Mix cooked noodles with butter, and stir together with tuna mixture.
Prepare a casserole dish by spraying with non stick spray. Poor noodle mixture into casserole dish.
Crush potato chips and sprinkle on top of casserole.
Bake in oven for 30 minutes. Serve warm.
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