On Sunday morning, my husband said "what I want to do today is have you cook delicious things all day while I sit around and eat them." Now, he rarely comes right out and asks for something, AND I do love to cook - so kind of a win, win.
First, I made a salmon noodle casserole with some salmon he had smoked earlier in the week. This recipe started life as a beef and tomato casserole, but you know how it is when you get to messing around with a recipe. This was really delicious - definitely for salmon lovers only!!
Salmon Noodle Casserole
2 c cooked salmon, chopped into pieces
1 c sour cream
*****
1/2 lb egg noodles, cooked and drained
1/2 c sour cream
1-1/4 c cottage cheese
salt and pepper
*****
1 c shredded cheese
Mix the salmon and sour cream together until...well...creamy.
Mix the cooked noodles, sour cream and cottage cheese together while the noodles are still warm. Season to taste.
Grease an 8x8 pan. Place a layer of noodle mixture, a layer of salmon, and half the shredded cheese. Repeat each layer.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.
Moved on to making a Shepherd's Pie for cooking later in the week. This is a good bit of prep work, so I like to get all the work done, and then just assemble and/or bake during the week for a quick dinner.
Shepherd's Pie
1 lb ground meat (I used beef today)
1 onion, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
1 c veggies (corn, green beans - whatever floats your boat)
1 c gravy (I make my own, but I am sure you could use jarred gravy if you are gravy-impaired)
2 c mashed potatoes (for this dish, I like to add sour cream, butter, milk and cheddar cheese to the mash)
In a BIG skillet or pan, brown the meat. Remove the meat, and in the leftover fat, saute the onion and celery until soft.
Stir in the gravy.
Stir in the veggies.
Put the mixture in a deep casserole dish.
Spread the mashed potatoes over the top, sealing the mixture.
I am keeping mine in the refrigerator until later in the week, but then Bake for approx. 30-45 minutes at 350 degrees, until potatoes are just turning brown.
And of course, it's Sunday, so I had to make dessert!! New York Cheesecake - no recipe, everyone has their own favorite (I do prefer a shortcake crust to the traditional graham cracker), and honestly, I am sure it is easier to buy it. But heck, it's my job as a wife to make my husband's life better, right?
