I wanted to tip my hat in gratitude to my friend Liv’s mother- in- law, Kayreen, for this depression/ war effort era recipe that has put warm, cozy food into my family and guests with no complaints. This is not a budget breaker, but has a sense of fun and a crunch of good flavors. I have to adapt it to keep up with the Gluten Free/ dairy free spirit of our house hold and it is very adaptable.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of Olive Oil
1 small onion chopped
1 whole bunch of celery – cut into small bite sized pieces
1 – 10.5 oz. can of cream of celery concentrated soup
1 cup of milk
2 cups at least of fresh or canned bean sprouts. I add mushrooms now that everyone will eat them!
1 – 12 oz. can of water packed tuna fish – dolphin safe/wild caught – or fresh that you have cooked.
1 package of Chow Mein noodles and /or 6 cups of cooked rice
36 cashews.
Cook the onion and celery until the onion is just translucent in the oil. Add the soup, milk and bean sprouts, get the mixture quite hot but not boiling, then add the drained tuna fish and bring the heat down to a simmer for about 40 minutes – cover pan.
Serve this over warmed chow mien noodles and/or rice and top with 6 cashews.
I have added leftover peas and broccoli to this also.
I usually serve this in a bowl rather than on a flat plate and add a piece of fruit.
I just think it is wonderful that so many took the time to be creative and feed their family with the rations that they had available, so I wanted to salute their ingenuity and pass on this tasty tribute.
Every time I share this recipe I get such interesting stories and feedback from folks that have already prepared it or about how they came to know about it.
I would love your comments and ideas about folks that you are grateful for their sharing with you.
on Nov 7th, 2008 at 6:44 am
I’ve never heard of this. I like celery, so it sounds good. I may give it a try. I’m not big on cooking.
Dots last blog post..The “Thing Conspiracy”
on Nov 7th, 2008 at 11:13 am
I guess there is something very good to be said for the back-breaking work of farm life as Dad and his family never went hungry during the Depression. Beef, carrots, potatoes, turnips, eggs, oats, they ate like kings in the 1930s. Cut their own wood too so they didn’t freeze in those Canadian winters.
I am grateful for all my ancestors. And to God for providing all.
Jannies last blog post..Sometimes in dreams
on Nov 7th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Dot, this is a wonderful and fast dish even if you don’t like to cook and just takes a few minutes to prepare…I love it for it fast food elements especially on a tired Friday night!
Jannie,
My husbands’ Aunt and Mother were called liars at school during the depression, because they told their teacher they were going home for dinner: roasted chicken and biscuits and potatoes and beans and apricots for dessert…The teacher did not “think” that the girls were going home to their chicken farm – as long as their was energy there was food on the table. Water was their biggest problem….and they had worked on that too…
I am so grateful for all the folks who went before me and shared their lessons of having a “charmed life.”…and their good food! Blessed are we.
on Nov 7th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Sounds delicious. Thank you!
on Nov 7th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
It is yummy!
Patricias last blog post..Factoid Friday: Bagdad Hash
on Nov 7th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Canned tuna and noodles is a standard meal in our house! Because we believe in an easy life and we like it! Broccoli is standard, too.
It’s amazing how you can make simple things really yummy – in our case, we add garlic, chili, and balsamic vinegar or lemon juice to just about everything.
Cheers – Robin
Robins last blog post..How To Find Happiness
on Nov 8th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Hi Patricia – Thanks for sharing the recipe. I will definitely be trying it. I’ve used sweetcorn and tuna with pasta a lot but I never thought about trying celery.
on Nov 8th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Robin,
Welcome and thank you for your comments. This is so fast, quick and inexpensive, but I just love that it is made out of the things that came in a ration box during the depression and it turned out so yummy.
Cath,
I hope you enjoy it…I think the mung bean sprouts add a great deal to this inventive fast food!
on Nov 9th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Hi Patricia. Mmmm cashews! This is quite an interesting combination of ingredients. I always wonder how cooks come up with good combinations. I usually fail unless I have a recipe.
Davinas last blog post..Akemi Gaines On Intuition, Dreams And Spiritual Guidance–Interview Part 1
on Nov 9th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Hi Davina!
I even think it is more amazing because they thought of this recipe from what was in their ration box…
Thanks for coming by
Patricias last blog post..Factoid Friday: Bagdad Hash