A Friendsgiving Feast
We all have those meals that remind us of our favorite time of year. Friendsgiving Casserole is just that for me. It’s a dish I started making when a group of our close friends began a tradition of getting together every autumn for what we called “Friendsgiving,” which was always a super casual night filled with good conversation and good food that would keep us lingering around the table for hours.
This is also a go-to of mine when I want to take dinner to a new mother or a family who could use a hot meal, mostly because it’s so easy to love—mild in flavor yet completely satisfying.
I like to make this dish at home just as the season is starting to shift, making way for cooler months. Even though the meal is pretty simple—casserole served over mashed potatoes with a side of cranberry sauce and green beans—it always feels like a special occasion in our house, a subtle signal to celebrate the beginning of something new. But, of course, there’s no wrong time of the year to make a really good, really simple chicken casserole.
shredded chicken + pieces of french baguette layered in a rich cream sauce
fresh cranberries with flavors of orange and cinnamon cooked down into a homemade sauce
green beans coated in a slightly sweet mixture topped with toasted almonds
potatoes cooked to perfection, mashed
and blended with butter and milk
a sweet, tangy mixture of cherries with a buttery, oat topping finished with a scoop of ice cream
Jo's Kitchen Essentials
There are certain tools in the kitchen that have these layers of utility to them. Prepware, such as mixing bowls, spatulas and measuring cups are great examples, sturdy enough to mix and whip whatever your recipe might call for, and perfect for serving and storing too. — Jo
