Casserole

• culinary

Unit 4 Casseroles

What is the first word(s) that come to your mind when you think of casseroles?

Casserole Definition

• A dish in which food may be baked and served
• A food cooked and served in a casserole dish

What Makes a Casserole?

It is a flavorful combination of foods prepared in a single dish. 

History of a Casserole

Casseroles gained popularity in the mid 20th century

• The effects of the Great Depression
• Two World Wars
• Women increasingly joining the workforce

Pros of a Casserole

• Quick and easy to prepare
• Most freeze well
• Prepare them ahead of time

What else is comes to mind when thinking of a positive characteristic of a casserole?

Cons of a Casserole

• Can be high in fat
• Can be high in sodium

What else is comes to mind when thinking of a negative characteristic of a casserole?

Casserole Ingredients

Most casseroles follow this formula

1. Protein
2. Vegetable
3. Starch
4. Binding Agent/Sauce
5. Topping

Protein Options

• Chicken
• Turkey
• Beef
• Ham
• Seafood
• Legumes

What other proteins can you think of to add to a casserole?

Vegetable Options

You can use canned, frozen, or cooked fresh vegetables in a casserole

• Green Beans
• Peas
• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Spinach

What other vegetables can you think of to add to a casserole?

Starchy Food Options

Starchy ingredients help make a casserole filling

• Potatoes
• Rice 
• Pasta
• Whole Grains

What other starchy foods can you think of to add to a casserole?

Binding Agent/Sauce Options

A binder/binding agent works to hold the casserole together. 

A casserole sauce can be as simple as a can of condensed soup or as fancy as homemade cheese sauce. 

• Canned Condensed Cream Soup
• Store Bought Sauces
• Homemade Sauce

What other sauces or binding agents can you think of to add to a casserole?

Toppings

These help to keep the casserole from becoming dry and add color, flavor, and crunch

• Cheese
• Bread Crumbs
• Biscuits
• Crunchy Onions

What other toppings can you think of to add to a casserole?

Extras

Extras can add crunch, color, and flavor

• Bean Sprouts
• Fresh Herbs
• Almonds
• A variety of flavorful veggies: celery, tomatoes, green peppers, and onions

Make it Healthful!

• Check fat and sodium content in sauces
• Reduced fat sour cream or cheese
• Low-sodium soups
• Add more veggies!

Assignments

In-Class

Casserole Crossword

11 Points

[Due at the end of class]

We are doing this together in class.

Quiz clues will follow this slide

3) Across
A dish in which food can be baked and served

6) Across
Make casseroles ____ by using low-fat and low-sodium ingredients

7) Across
A component of casseroles that works to hold the dish together

8) Across
Broccoli, corn, and green beans are an example of this casserole component

10) Across
Most casseroles can be ___ and therefore can be made ahead of time

11) Across
A casserole component that keeps the dish from getting dry, adds flavor & crunch

1) Down
Rice, potatoes, and pasta are examples of this casserole component

2) Down
A flavorful combination of food prepared in a single dish

4) Down
Casseroles are usually quick and ___ to prepare

5) Down
A period in time when casseroles became popular, efficient, and important

9) Down
Chicken, ground beef, and black beans are examples of this casserole component

Extra Credit

Extra Credit on Schoology

Create Your Own Casserole

10 points

[Due 11/5 11:59pm]