Monday, December 10, 2007

The Dinner Menu Is Planned

I sat down last night and planned out my menu for my family Christmas which will be December 22nd.  I've decided since it's not on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, I am not planning a traditional holiday dinner.  It's going to be buffet style and one of the dishes I'm going to make goes clear back to when my mom was a girl.  She and her siblings grew up in eastern Washington (Sunnyside to be exact) and asparagus grew like weeds in that warm, dry climate.   Even during the depression they ate well, they always had chickens for eggs & Sunday dinner, always had several milk cows and beef, hundreds of watermelons & cantaloupes in the summer as well as vegetables, including carrots, rutabagas and of course asparagus. It was said that my grandmother was a wizard when it came to cooking their common vegetables.  One of the favorite recipes was escalloped asparagus.  My nieces all asked for the recipe but none of them have made it yet, so Aunt Linda is going to include it in the Christmas buffet . I'll share this very old family recipe with you, we all loved it, my mom made it frequently, especially during the summer months. It's very easy and so good. 

Escalloped Asparagus

1 bunch of asparagus, 3 or 4 hard boiled eggs, 1 pint white sauce, 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese (optional), cracker or bread crumbs.

Cut tough ends from asparagus & cut into bite size pieces, cook until tender.  Make your white sauce, after hard boiled eggs have cooled...peel and cut into pieces and stir into white sauce. Add the asparagus & grated cheese to white sauce mixture and place in an oven proof dish.  Top mixture with cracker or bread crumbs and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.    YUMMY !! 

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

That does sound yummy.  My Mom used to put that white sauce on carrots, peas,  it really was good, but she didn't do the rest.  Might have to try that, thanks, Joni

Anonymous said...

That does sound good, I'll have to try it.
I was raised in Sunnyside too.
I hope your Christmas is great.
Barbara

Anonymous said...

Sounds delicious Linda!  I am still trying to decide what I am going to cook.  There will be just Todd and myself, although we are having company on Christmas Eve for dinner.
Marie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariealicejoan/MariesMuses/

Anonymous said...

I love asparagus,so will certainly give this a try thankyou ,..love Jan xx

Anonymous said...

Ok I feel stupid since I'm the only one who is asking you this so far lol but what is white sauce...is that like Half and Half?  This does sound yummy and I'm always trying to find  new ways to make asparagus so the kids will eat it.  This sounds like a winner!  

Anonymous said...

I love asparagus!
sounds good!

~~Make it a Great day~~

Sharon

http://journals.aol.com/buggieboo1/ImASurvivor/

Anonymous said...

I love asparagus and this sounds delicious thank you for sharing.  I have sent it to a friend Maine who is collecting recipies right now.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Linda I will give this a try ~ I always like to find new ways to cook asparagus ~ Ally x

Anonymous said...

Oh this sounds great, I love asparagus - I am going to keep this recipe and give it a try.  I think the buffet idea is a great one.  I am sure everyone will enjoy11
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Can you believe I have never tried asparagus? This recipe sounds really good. Thank you for sharing. I will have to try this sometime.
Take care, Chrissie

Anonymous said...

I love asparagus. I use to dip it into mayonnaise yumm. Of course when your southern mayonnaise is a part of most dinners lol. My other one I grew up on was black eye peas add mayonnaise and some hot sauce. That's good eatin lol.

Your family recipe sounds wonderful. I am copying it down and will make it soon! Thank you for sharing it with us.

HUGS~Donna