Hotdish #6: Seafood Chowder Casserole

Not wanting the long holiday weekend of fun to end, Ben and I decided to have my parents over for the sixth and final casserole from the Eating Well hotdish series. We decorated the house that afternoon, so it really felt like a worthy evening for the grand finale hotdish! We sat around the tree while it baked.



We also enjoyed the toasty fire.



I'm sad that Thanksgiving is over and gone, but now we get to look forward to CHRISTMAS! Yay!



The Seafood Chowder Casserole looked and smelled delicious.



Just like the picture!



It had cod, shrimp, crab, potatoes, leeks and celery along with gruyère cheese.



Mmm. Mom continued the tradition of providing a crisp and refreshing salad to go along with the hotdish.



Since it was the grand finale, I also made dessert. Apple crisp!



So, the Eating Well hotdish extravaganza was definitely a success. All of them turned out AWESOME. We seriously loved them all and it is hard to pick a favorite. Every time we had one, someone (or everyone) would say "This one is DEFINITELY my favorite." So I'm not sure if they just kept getting progressively more delicious, or if it just so happened that whatever one was in our mouths at the time was the favorite.

Last night Dad suggested that we start over and make them all again!! I'm seriously considering it. YUM, YUM, YUM!

Here is the link to the final recipe!

Hotdish #5: Curried Chicken Thighs with Buttery Croutons

Tonight I made the fifth Eating Well hotdish. Curried Chicken Thighs with Buttery Croutons!



This casserole left me with a battle scar. I burned myself!! I had forgotten that last week the electrician had moved the rack inside my oven up to the top, and I'm so used to just sliding dishes into the oven at the usual height that I singed my hand against the top of the oven! YOUCH.



But I've got to say it was probably worth it, because the hotdish turned out AMAZING. I used chicken breasts instead of thighs, and it was sooooo good. I cooked up a batch of basmati rice to serve it on, because it makes a lot of yummy sauce. The peas were a crisp and bright addition to the dish, and the buttery croutons were great.



Paired with a fresh salad from Mom, it was a wonderful dish!



Here is the link to the recipe.

11/28/10 UPDATE: Here is how the burn is looking a week later. OW!

Hotdish #4: Broccoli, Beef & Potato Hotdish

I thought it would be a fun way to celebrate Halloween by cooking up another Eating Well hotdish! This time I made the Broccoli, Beef and Potato Hotdish. Ta da!



LOOK! It looks just like the magazine!



Mmmmmmmmmm.



Mom brought a yummy salad to have with it. Everyone agreed wholeheartedly that this one was definitely the BEST casserole so far. It was absolutely delicious!!



Here is the link to the recipe. Happy Halloween!

Hotdish #3: Chili Cornbread Casserole

Tonight we had another Hotdish dinner party with Mom and Dad! This time we tried the Chili Cornbread Casserole. That's three down, three to go! It turned out GREAT!



The chili was spicy and flavorful, and the cornbread was packed with fresh cilantro.



Paired with a refreshing, crisp salad, it was a wonderful meal! I will be making this again. So far, these hotdishes are all winners.



Here is the link to the recipe.

Hotdish #2: Buffalo Chicken Casserole

Tonight we had Mom and Dad over for another Eating Well hotdish! This time it was the Buffalo Chicken Casserole.



It was sooooooooooooooooooooo good! The carrots and celery were totally perfect, and the noodles and chicken were creamy and cheesy.



Mom brought two little apple crisps, each featuring a different local apple! And there's Dad, pointing out my new birthday gift - Bananagrams! It's super fun.



Here is the link to the recipe.

Hotdish #1: Chicken, Mushroom & Wild Rice Casserole

The latest issue of Eating Well has a special feature on hotdishes. They ALL look delicious to me, so I'm going to try making them all! There are six total. The first one on the agenda was the Chicken, Mushroom & Wild Rice Casserole. Look, there it is!



Full body shot.



We had Mom and Dad over to help us enjoy it. We all LOVED it! It really turned out great and I would definitely make it again. Mom made some zucchini to go with it. Oh, and I used a wild rice blend instead of straight-up wild rice, and it was totally fine.



Altha sent along some chocolate chip cookies with Mom. YES.



Here is the link to the recipe.