ISO: ISO Music C ity Missy...curious minds want to know....what did you select for your regional menu?

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All this discussion about Midwest food has really got me thinking...

My uncle was in town last week and I asked him...do we have a family recipe? His eyes got huge and he said, "Tomato Soup Cake!"

Taking my trip down memory lane, I was thinking about scalloped potatoes, cream of mushroom sloppy joes, tomato soup cake, etc. Then I remembered this chef who taught a class on Upscale Comfort Food. He did stuffed shells made with lobster, etc. What about the sloppy joes made with real mushroom reduction, steak, on a brioche bun. Home made scalloped potatoes with fingerling potatoes, etc.

Midwest...goes upscale. Mmm....

 
You're way ahead of me. What's a regular "Cream of Mushroom Sloppy Joe?" I'm picturing ground beef

and onions browned and a can of condensed soup stirred in. Am I close? (It actually sounds like something I'd love. I'm surprised my Chicago-born mom didn't know about this. She added COM soup to everything.)

 
That's it, exactly! I was talking about it above, and then got a serious craving.

I actually made it myself the other night. Okay, maybe I'm just a bit nostalgic and that's why I'm forgiving, but it wasn't bad, just not great. It was very bland...which suits not only the kid palate, but the Midwestern palate for sure (my dad didn't allow my mom to cook with garlic. It added too much flavor. Seriously. I can't imagine a life without garlic now...)

Oh, and along with cream of mushroom sloppy joes...don't forget its kissin' cousin...tuna casserole. (Bonus points for crumbled potato chips on top!)

 
Tuna Noodle Casserole was a Friday staple for us. My mom only used saltines for the top.

Other kids with hipper moms had potato chips on theirs.

 
Okay - you just brought up something - Sloppy Joes made with soup...

DH says his mom always made sloppy joes (and he didn't like them) with Campbell's Chicken Gumbo soup - has anyone ever heard of that???

 
No, but "spanish" rice was

a can of speghetti sauce, cooked rice and a whole lotta chili powder. Chili powder was the only exotic seasoning in the pantry.

 
Cream of Mushroom Soup

was quite the filler ingredient. It went in beef stroganoff, tuna noodle casserole, and now I find out it was for sloppy joes, too. My goodness.

 
These do come out chewy

I think because they are so thick and don't get any liquid other than egg. It's not due to over kneading, that's for sure.

I know what you mean by the texture, tho. There is a difference. I'm probably not using the right culinary definition, but I always say that these are noodles and not pasta.

 
Yes, my mother made them like this also. I never cared much for them either

and was thrilled when she discovered "Manowich" sauce. You just should not have rice floating around in your sloppy joes!

Here is her recipe:

* Exported from MasterCook *

SLOPPY JOES

Recipe By : Mom
Serving Size : 6 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Mom's Recipes

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method

2 pounds ground beef
1 can Chicken Gumbo soup
1 green pepper -- finely chopped
1 onion -- finely chopped
1/2 cup chili sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

Brown the ground beef, onion, and green pepper together in a large saucepan. Drain fat. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Turn down heat and simmer for 1 hour.

NOTES : Optional ingredients: Liquid Smoke, hot sauce, garlic, celery - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 
Wow! You guys were guilding the lilly, for sure! Fun-yuns were only for Thanksgiving at my hous...

 
The recipe was given to me when I was a very young military wife, great for eom when the money ran

out before the month did.

 
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