If you think that I enjoy catchy phrases and plays-on-words, you'd be correct. My funny bone enjoys jousting with words, and the writers from the old, old, old TV show Roger Ramjet certainly shared my folly. With it's subliminal political commentary, Roger Ramjet was the patriotic but not too bright cartoon superhero who triumphed every week over the bad guys like his nemesis, the gangster named Noodles Romanoff (this was during the Cold War after all), and the foreign spy femme fatale Jacqueline Hyde (Jekyll and Hyde). He took orders from General GI Brassbottom, and he was often needing to be saved from the clutches of N.A.S.T.Y. (National Association of Spies, Traitors, and Yahoos). I don't really remember a single episode, but I do remember the theme song. Funny how that works, I can't remember where I put something, but I can remember just about every song from my childhood and teenage years.
Another thing I remember from growing up was a lovely noodle dish called Noodles Romanoff. It is a very simple peasant dish, but full of creamy goodness and is VERY filling. I promise you that this noodle dish is just the ticket for the cold nights many of us will be facing in the coming weeks. Pair it with a lovely roast, or spoon it next to a slice or two of meatloaf. Yep, I said meatloaf. That poor maligned entree that many folks actually love, but won't fess up to. I like meatloaf in the cold months, and I especially love the leftovers in sandwiches. But enough about that, here's the recipe for a Noodles Romanoff that Roger Ramjet would approve of:
2 Cups Cooked Noodles, hot(I used Kluski style)
1 Cup Small Curd Cottage Cheese
1 Cup Sour Cream
2 Tablespoons minced onion (I minced mine really small)
1 small garlic clove, finely minced (next time I might just use garlic powder)
Seasoned Salt (I used Lawrey's)
Couple quick shakes of red pepper or hot sauce
Quick shake of White Pepper
1/3 cup Grated parmesan cheese
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and lightly grease a 2 quart casserole dish. In a large bowl, combine the hot noodles with all the ingredients except the parmesan cheese. Spoon into the casserole, and top with the grated parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes or until the top is golden. Serve.
This is so good and pure comfort food. Can you see that golden crust? There's no cheddar in this recipe, that golden color is from the parmesan and it adds a wonderful nutty flavor to the noodles. Every recipe I read discouraged adding additions to the dish such as mushrooms or veggies. It's meant to be a creamy noodle side dish. Alrighty then. I did sprinkle on some snipped chives for color though; parsley would work well, too.
Do you have any recipes from your youth that conjure up special memories for you? And ... what about meatloaf? Do you have a favorite recipe for that?
And, a very happy, happy birthday to my dear friend Marjie over at Modern Day Ozzie and Harriet.
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Middle School Dance
One quick side note. My daughter attended the middle school sock hop dance tonight for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders and had a wonderful time. The school offered these for the first time starting last December, and she really enjoyed attending. Her entire 7th grade class attended (30 kids) and they all hung out in one big group. Everyone dances with everyone, and no one is purposefully left out. When hubbyman went to pick her up, my son tagged along. My son knows all these kids because he used to attend that school years ago and still plays CYO sports with them. ANYWAY ... my son went to sit on the bleachers to wait for his sister when an 8th grade girl came over and asked him to dance. He said, "No thank you," and the poor thing walked away.(OUCH. Picture me performing a big eye popping expression and saying, "YOU SAID WHAT?") I know this girl, she's a petite little thing, and is very cute and sweet. Anyway, said girl lamented to my daughter (who was dancing at the time) that her brother said NO. My daugther, while dancing with a boy herself, told the girl to ask again because she figured her brother was nervous. So, this girl gathered her courage again and this time brought a 7th grade girl who knows my son with her for moral support (my son is in 7th grade) and asked him again. How gutsy she was to ask again! Keep in mind that my son is now 5'8", 185 lbs, size 13 shoes, is rock solid, and dwarfs just about everyone in his old class and just towers over her. This time, hallelujah, my son said yes. So he had his first dance ... with an older girl no less. Afterward, all his old friends wanted him to join in with them, but it was time to head for home. They told him to attend next time. While he loves homeschooling, it's great that he can walk comfortably in both worlds. Then my littlest dancer at the ripe old age of 9 was wondering which boys would ask her to dance when she's older. Ah, and so it begins. GULP.
