To: Jane4IceCream who wrote (117962 ) 3/13/2008 8:39:07 PM From: one_less Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 173976 I was invited to a pot luck dinner recently with no time to prepare something special. So, I decided to throw whatever I had together and go. The dish turned out better than most things I make when I'm really trying and it was a hit so I wrote down the recipe. ------------------- Meecy Micey Hot and Spicy Veggie Casserole First fix the following 6 bulleted components separately. • The veggie pot: Start water boiling, then turn down to a simmer and keep it simmering until cooking is done. Cook the following for an hour or two depending on how cooked down you want the veggies to be. Personally, I prefer them to be soft in a casserole. Add your garlic, spices and lime so they will cook into the veggies as they soften, this is where most of the flavor comes from. As you, chop slice and dice just throw stuff in as there is no requirement to have a particular amount of one veggie or another. It's a throw to suit your tastes deal. The hotter and spicier the better for my tastes. 1) Onion (at least one whole chopped onion). Throw the onions in first to make sure they cook down completely, if children are able to spot them, they will begin spitting and hokking them out. 2) Garlic (At least one rounded t-spoon full of crushed garlic) 3) Peppers – Hot peppers (I like Serrano peppers for heat and flavor but many people prefer Jalepeno). Bell peppers: Get all the colors to jazz up the appearance. 4) Mixed Italian herb seasonings. (about a spoon full of dried herbs from a shaker bottle, will do but feel free to use fresh herbs). I add a little cilantro but some people say that is over doing it. 5) Broccoli (Just the tops chopped from two or three bunches) 6) Cauliflower (1 half head chopped) 7) Summer squash (the yellow squash that is similar to zucchini in texture) 8) Lots of lime juice (half cup to a cup) • Veggie Pasta: Cook drain and butter: 10 to 12 minutes. (This should be done at the end unless you have a way of keeping the pasta… like keeping a lid on it, duh) • Crushed Saltine Crackers: Crush enough to make about a three eighths in layer in your dish. • Special Creamy white sauce: Put some butter in a pan to avoid sticking. After the butter is melted add a spoon full of cooking starch and a cup or two of milk. While stirring, plop spoon fulls of whipped cream cheese, using about a half pint . Keep it runny and smooth (Don't whip it). • Shredded Cheddar cheese. (Between 8 and sixteen oz) • Flavored croutons: (On cup or so crushed) Layer your 6 bulleted components in a casserole dish. I stir everything but the crushed croutons and some of the shredded cheddar cheese but you can leave it layered if you want. The crushed croutons and some of the Cheddar cheese should go as a top layer to finish off the dish. Bake your dish at 375 for about 20 to 30 minutes if they are still hot. Otherwise bake until bubbles start simmering a little on the surface.