It’ been a strange weekend. On Friday my daughter Irish danced in Battle Creek. It was fun because we got to spend the entire day together just having fun. We went out to lunch at an AMAZING brewery, Acadia Brewing Company, and then later we stopped for dinner in Kalamazoo.
The shooting over the weekend in Kalamazoo was in an area that we pass through 2-4 times a week on the way to my daughter’s dance studio. We had been in that area exactly 24 hours before the shooting. It is one of those things that make you pause and think of all the “What-Ifs” in life. What if he had started this a day earlier? What if he went to the restaurant where we ate dinner instead of Cracker Barrel? Too much to think about. Then we found out the 18 year-old boy was a classmate of one of the girls from dance. So, sad.
This is an area where we generally feel very safe. It is shocking when you are jarred back into “reality.” The rest of the weekend was spent letting family and friends know we were safe and our area is okay.
The other night called for comfort food. Creamy sauce, noodles and tuna it is. The great part about this recipe is you can add peas, carrots, broccoli or whatever vegetables you like to the dish. You can spice it up with a bit of Cayenne pepper and paprika mixed in with the topping or additional garlic in the sauce. It is all up to you. This is just the beginning recipe. Where it goes is entirely up to you!
Verdict:
Considering there were only 2 smallish lunch servings left at the end of the meal I would say this was a hit. It was warming to our insides and our souls. Sometimes you just need those meals that make you feel warm and comforted inside.
We served the meal with a side of broccoli.
Grown-Up Tuna Casserole
Ingredients:
- 1 (12 oz) bag of extra wide egg noodles
- 3 (6 oz) cans of albacore tuna, drained
- one medium onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup celery, sliced thinly
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 3 1/2 cups fat-free half and half
- 1 tablespoon Morton Nature’s Seasoning
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter (for topping)
- 1 cup vegetables, your choice if desired
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13 x 9 casserole dish.
- Boil egg noodles according to package directions until al dente and then drain.
- If you are using a vegetable add in, other than the celery and onions, cook them until just tender.
- Mix tuna, noodles and vegetable (if desired) in a large bowl.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat melt 1/4 cup of butter. Add onions and celery to pan and allow to cook, stirring occasionally, until both have started to soften.
- Sprinkle flour over the butter, celery and onion mixture. Stir well. Add half and half to pan and continue to stir until sauce thickens 5-8 minutes. Remove from heat and add Parmesan cheese and Morton Nature’s Seasoning. Stir until well combined.
- Pour sauce over noodles in the bowl and stir well.
- Pour contents of bowl into the prepared casserole dish.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in microwave and stir with bread crumbs. Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the top of the casserole.
- Bake for 20 minutes until casserole is bubbly and starting to brown on top. Allow to rest 5 minutes before serving.
What's for Dinner Moms? 
That was awful. Prayers for the families. And glad you are safe.
Aki (Your Home for Homemade Japanese Food) http://japanese-food.org
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Thank you. It is heart breaking as the stories of the people that have been shot come out.
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I didn’t realize you are from Michigan! I grew up near Detroit, went to school is Grand Rapids, and currently live in the Howell area. Terrible about Kalamazoo. Glad you are safe.
I love tuna casserole. Great comfort food.
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We are actually in SW Michigan but there are only 3 Irish dance schools in MI. Originally from NY but moved here 3 1/2 years ago.
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Love the recipe, Marci & equally glad you’re both OK! ♥
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Thank you! We were never in any danger but it is all the “what-ifs” that fill your mind as a mom.
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Thank goodness, Marci!
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Very tragic and real life – so sorry for the families. Happy you all are safe and sound. A friend in California (San Bernandino area) lived just a few miles from the shootings not too long ago. It really shook her and her family up! Which of course is understandable.
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It is all so sad….
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yes!
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So very sad to hear the news – it is awful the world we live in now. Glad you and yours are safe. Happy day my friend. 🙂
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It truly is heartbreaking listening to friends and family talk about the victims. Thank you and same to you!
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I can only imagine how it must feel to be so close to home. It makes one think about how life can be taken so quickly without notice.
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Exactly.
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So sad! Glad you are safe!
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Thank you!
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yummy recipe!
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So sad about the shooting, but at least your bellies were happy. Glad you are safe.
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We are fine and were never in danger. It is all the “What-ifs” as I look at my kids.
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I am so glad you are safe. Its so sad to watch the fabric of this nation unravelling into senselessness. It seems every time my phone chimes a news update its another tragedy 😦
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It is heart breaking to hear the stories of these victims day, after day. The potential that is lost because of a senseless act of violence.
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So heartbreaking
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Sad news… but glad you are safe.
The recipe looks yummy. Panko?? Sometimes amazed to know Japanese food and ingredients have been getting popular!
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Panko is the “in” bread crumb now. Everything you want with a crispy crust is covered in Panko.
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I see. It’s really crispy.
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Comfort food is definitely in order! I’m so glad you and your family are safe; those “what ifs” are tough conversations to have with ourselves and even harder to have with our kids. Heartbreaking all around.
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So glad that you guys are safe! 🙂
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I’m glad you and family are okay.
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Thank you.
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