Eat.Pray.Love

Passport & Plate - Golden Cheddar Cheese Casserole

USA | Friday, February 7, 2014 | 3 photos

Ingredients
4 tbsp. margarine
2 tbsp. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
370 ml. milk
180 gr. sharp shredded cheese
50 gr. cornflake (not sugar covered:)
1 can of corn
250 gr. fresh broccoli (fresh is important, not frozen!)

 

How to prepare this recipe
Mix 2 tablespoons margarine,stir in flour and salt. Add milk gradually, mixing until smooth. Cook until mixture boils, stir constantly. Add cheese, stir until melted. Mix in 1/4 cup cornflake crumbs and corn. Arrange broccoli in baking dish ( better suits the size of it 11X7 baking dish). Pour cheese sauce over broccoli. Toss remaining 1/4 cup cornflake crumbs with 2 tablespoons of melter margarine. Sprinkle over the casserole. Bake at 180 degrees, for about 30-35 minutes.

 

The story behind this recipe
During year 2009-2010 I was blessed to be an exchange student in the United States and I fell in love. I fell in love with this country, their culture, traditions, democracy, freedom and I fell in love with the boy who has invited me to celebrate Thanksgiving holiday with his family. My nationality is Ukrainian, so I have never ever celebrated this holiday before in my life.
So on a Thanksgiving day we went to his house, his mother cooked a special dinner. Everyone has a stereotype that americans always eat fastfood. But this family was different. During that evening I have tried a dish that contained fresh broccoli (as symbol of healthy food), corn( as a symbol of thanksgiving), cornflake crumbs ( as symbol of americans) and cheese sauce( just because it makes it so delicious). This dish was called Golden Cheddar Cheese Casserole and was made by my boyfriend's mother. During that time, it has been already couple months since I haven't been home, haven't seen my family, haven't tried my national food, but on that evening, with all the people around me,with this special dish I could feel like home and I think this is important.
On the next day I have asked for a recipe. In couple days she wrote it for me and this special handwritting recipe I still keep as one of the precious things from that exchange year. Cause on the back of it, she wrote:" Call if you have any questions. Smile, God loves you!" (I will try to attach picture of it as well)These words mean a lot to me...Although it has been almost 5 years from then, and 13000 kilometers between us, every Thanksgiving holiday I keep on cooking this special casserole for my family here,in Ukraine. I didn't just simply brought the recipe, I believe I brought the whole tradition from overseas into my family's hearts. And so every Thanksgiving we gather together with my ukrainian family, I cook the casserole and think of how thankful I am to the people who just couple years ago were also as a family for me!