Recipe: Recipe for Make-Ahead Chicken-Corn Casserole

NOTE: This recipe is for 24 servings (about 2/3 cup each). Directions are given for dividing the prepared food into four parts of six servings each. One part may be completely cooked and served at the time of preparation. The remaining parts may be frozen. The breadcrumb topping is added at the time of serving. You will want to have the ingredients on hand when you are ready to use the frozen casserole. Enjoy!

* Exported from MasterCook II *
Chicken-Corn Casserole (USDA)
Recipe By : Freezing Combination Main Dishes (Robinson & Fulton, 1973)
Serving Size : 24 Preparation
Categories : Freezes Well
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1/2 cup butter, margarine -- or chicken fat
1 cup unsifted flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons instant minced onion
1 1/2 quarts hot chicken broth
2 1/4 pounds cooked chicken -- diced (7 cups)
48 ounces whole kernal corn, drained -- 3 (16-oz) cans
6 ounces processed cheddar cheese -- shredded (1 1/2 c)
3/4 cup pimientos -- chopped
-----TOPPING FOR INDIVIDUAL CASSEROLE ----
1/4 cup fine dry breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
Line four 8x8x2-inch baking pans with heat-resistant freezer wrap. Allow
enough extra wrap to fold over top. Use one pan for each six servings or
one-fourth of the recipe. Do not line pans for food to be served without
freezing.
Melt fat. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and onion. Add broth slowly. Cook
until thickened, stirring constantly. Mix hot mixture with chicken, corn,
cheese, and pimentos. Pour one-forth of mixture into each baking pan.
Spread well to avoid air pockets.
TO SERVE WITHOUT FREEZING: Preheat oven to 350=B0 F. (moderate). For each
pan to be baked right away, mix 1/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs with 1
tablespoon melted butter or margarine. Sprinkle over chicken mixture in
baking pan. Bake 45 minutes or until crumbs are lightly browned.
TO FREEZE: Cool for 30 minutes at room temperature. Complete wrapping by
pulling paper up over top of food. Put edges of wrap together and fold
several times so paper lies directly on top of food. Fold ends of freezer
wrap over the top and seal with freezer tape. Label with name of food,
date of freezing, and last date the food should be used for best eating
quality (about 6 months). Freeze immediately for 10 to 12 hours before
removing packages from the pans.
TO HEAT FROZEN FOOD: Preheat oven to 350=B0 F. (moderate). Remove freezer
wrap. Place food in baking pan. For each pan to be baked, mix 1/4 cup
fine dry bread crumbs with 1 tablespoon melted butter or margarine.
Sprinkle over chicken mixture in baking pan. Bake 1 1/4 hours or until
crumbs are lightly browned, and center is hot.
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