Funeral Food. Where I come from in New Mexico, having three or four great funeral food recipes is a must. Extra points if your funeral food has green chile. I borrowed this green chile corn casserole idea from Food Network Favorites and then modified it.
I’ve taken it to several potlucks and everyone wants the recipe. I’m suggesting you try it sometime soon, especially since you’re cooking so much right now. The ingredients are simple, and it’s an easy way to get your chile fix, which, as we all know, ups your immune system!
Although I’m doing my very best to follow Michael Pollan’s Food Rules, there are days, especially when you’ve been up to your arse in alligators, take something out of the freezer (how about gypsy stew from the Pink Adobe), and need a quick satisfying dish to go with whatever you’re thawing. This is perfect for that. Or you can add a bit of ground hamburger or turkey and make it a meal.
Several years ago, a friend gave me the Food Network Favorites cook book for Christmas and as I was glancing through it yesterday, I saw a recipe, that looked suspiciously like the perfect funeral dish – Corn Casserole. I’m pretty sure there are those of you who will cringe at the term “funeral dish,” but what we mean when we say that in Quay County is a recipe that’s satisfying, hearty, delicious, and fit to take to a potluck at the Baptist Church after the graveside service. We don’t take our funeral food lightly. We want it to be comforting at the same time that it’s so delicious fifteen of the church ladies ask you for the recipe. This food is all about making people feel good.
So, although this isn’t totally within the parameters of New Food Rules, it’s close. I turned it into a New Mexico dish by adding some medium Big Jim green chiles and by changing the cheese from cheddar to a mix of Monterrey jack and cheddar. Try it –it was tasty and perfect for a cool evening, and it’s easy.
Green Chile Corn Casserole (modified from the original):
1 can whole kernel corn drained (I use Green Giant, which you can order here)
1 can cream style corn (I use white cream corn, which you can buy here)
1 8 oz pkg Jiffy corn muffin mix (If you don’t know Jiffy corn bread mix, order some here and get several boxes. It’s the answer to everything, and so easy should you just want to make cornbread. )
1 cup sour cream
½ cup butter, melted
½ cup chopped green chile (or more. We like more)
1 cup Monterrey jack/cheddar cheese mix, shredded
Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl stir together all ingredients except for cheese, then pour into a greased 1 ½ quart casserole dish.Bake until golden brown,about 45 to 50 minutes.
Remove from the oven and top with the cheese. Return the casserole to the oven for 5 to 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Let stand for 5 minutes and then serve warm. Or if you can’t wait, dig in.
I have an entire treasure trove of great funeral recipes. They may not be the healthiest dishes on the table, but they’re almost always guaranteed to make you feel better. It’s their job.
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Yum! This is so good!