Lauren's Gingerbread Program

Lauren's class had the cutest little skit last Thursday about a gingerbread man who got away while he was baking, and ran all over the school. It only lasted about 20 minutes, but it was so much fun to watch all the kids perform their little part and sing the cute gingerbread songs.

Aren't these chef's hats adorable!! They made them from paper.

Each child made a gingerbread cookie to share with their family. They were delicious! When I enquired about the recipe, I found out it was the Betty Crocker cookie mix! Evidently I wasn't the only one who thought they were good. Every store I've been to is completely sold out of that particular mix!

I wanted to show you some gingerbread men that I made, but since we never made any (yet) I had to settle for this old stand-by recipe. This is Ray's favorite casserole, and happens to be a recipe I snagged years ago from his sister, Nettie. I still remember watching her make it when I lived with them. YUM!

CHICKEN CASSEROLE

*if using pre-cooked chicken, skip the first step in the directions

4 -6 boneless skinless chicken breast (*or 2-3 c. leftover cooked chicken cut up)

Mrs. Dash Original seasoning, about 2 tbsp, divided

Lowry's seasoning salt, about 2 tbsp, divided

1 can cr. mushroom soup

1 can cr. chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

1 c. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

1 package saltine crackers, crushed

1 package ritz cracker, crushed

6 tbsp. melted butter

Place chicken breast in a large, heavy skillet (use one that has a lid). Cover the chicken with water and sprinkle with 1 tbsp. each Mrs. Dash and Lowry's seasoning. Turn burner on high, place lid on skillet, and cook chicken (turning once) until chicken is completely cooked (30 minutes or more if your chicken was frozen).

While chicken is cooking, preheat your oven to 350*. Take a 9x13 baking dish and spray it with non-stick spray. Cover bottom of baking dish with crushed saltine crackers.

Once chicken is cooked, drain all but about 1/4 cup of water from the chicken, and cut the chicken up into bite sized pieces. Add both soups and sour cream to chicken pieces. Sprinkle in the remaining 1 tbsp. each Mrs. Dash and Lowry's and stir to combine. Add cheese and mix again. Pour chicken mixture over crackers in baking dish. Top with crushed ritz crackers and drizzle melted butter over all. Bake about 30 minutes or until bubbly and crackers on top are starting to turn golden.