Chicken Macaroni Casserole by Aunt Mary Grace

Maureen’s aunts and uncles lived in Chicago in Glenview-Wilmette in side-by-side houses inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright in one of the nation’s first co-op communities. These all wood homes were nestled in forested lots at the end of Juniper Street. Mary Grace, her sister Jean, brother William, and, Betty, my mother-in-law were all raised in Columbus, Ohio. There seemed to be a contest of sort among these three sisters for producing exceptional family meals.

Aunt Jean was known for exotic and sophisticated cookery, whereas Aunt Mary Grace produced cozy dishes that were often casseroles. Sister Betty had an assortment of specialties including beef stroganoff. Maureen’s sister Sharon, a home economics major at The Ohio State University has a large family and managed her kitchen like a five-star restaurant. Her sister Katie, also nestled in a woods outside of Cleveland, is more of a farm-style chef.

Anyway, when we lived in Chicago Mary Grace and Jean alternated inviting us to have dinner and to sometimes stay the night at their homes in a party atmosphere.

Here is a most memorable recipe from Mary Grace that appears on a 3 x 5 index card in Maureen’s file. The hand-writing appears to be that of Sharon.

“Chicken Macaroni Casserole”

2 cups diced cooked chicken

1, 7 oz. package of macaroni (uncooked)

1 ½ lb grated cheddar cheese

2 cups (1 can) mushroom soup

2 cups milk (or i cup chicken broth)

½ green pepper diced

1 jar diced pimento

4 large boiled eggs, chopped coarse

1 cup (5 oz) water chestnuts

1 small onion, minced

1 can (4 oz) mushrooms

1 teaspoon salt & dash of pepper

Combine all ingredients into a large bowl to let it swell and refrigerate overnight.

Turn the ingredients into a large shallow casserole.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 ¼ hours.

15 minutes before serving, sprinkle the top with cheddar cheese and let it melt or brown on top.

There you have it. Maybe I should make some lime jello with celery and carrots with a dab of mayonnaise on top?

The McKinley's: Betty, Jean, Bessie, Bill, and Mary Grace