When I think of the ultimate comfort food, I always think of noodles. And evidently I am not the only one. The consumption of noodles increases by 20% in the months of January February, and March. (http://impact.phhp.ufl.edu/newsletter/pdf/Marchnewsletter.pdf)
I am not picky about what type. Noodles can be fine, medium or wide. I love them all. I also love the idea of March being National Noodle Month. Here at the library, we have so many cookbooks with recipes that use noodles as an ingredient. From chicken noodle soup, tuna noodle casserole or even kugel, the library has the recipe that you want using noodles.
One of my favorite recipes with noodles is Comforting Chicken and Noodles from the book Taste of Home Casseroles.
Here is the recipe:
6 oz. uncooked wide egg noodles
1/2 cup butter or margarine, divided
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 tsp. salt divided
1-1/2 cups milk
1 cup chicken broth
2 Tbsp. white wine or additional chicken broth
4 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 lb. fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
1/8 tsp. pepper
4 cups cubed cooked chicken
Paprika
Cook noodles according to package directions; drain. In a saucepan, melt 1/4 cup butter. Stir in flour and 1-1/2 teaspoons salt until smooth. Gradually add milk and broth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in wine or additional broth.
In a bowl, combine the noodles, 1 cup white sauce, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons butter and 1 teaspoon salt. Transfer to a greased 3-quart baking dish; set aside.
In a skillet, saute mushrooms and garlic in remaining butter until tender. STir in pepper and remaining salt. Spoon over noodle mixture. Top with chicken. Pour the remaining white sauce over chicken. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan. Garnish with paprika. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly. Yield: 6 servings
This is a great recipe to use up left over chicken. It looks somewhat time consuming but it is relatively quick and easy.
Whether it be for noodle recipes or any other recipe, be sure and check out the Cooking Neighborhood. And while you are browsing all of the cookbooks, be sure and take any of the recipes that are in the display area. Happy Cooking!!