food memories

We had a fellowship today. AKA "food fest". I love getting together with friends and everyone brings a favorite dish. Sometimes I make something new or something "good" but today I made an old favorite that has been "comfort food" for me since I was a teen. To be honest, I had forgotten just how long these recipes have been around until I started talking about it today. When I was a teen I spent a small amount of time homeschooled but both of my parents worked... a lot :) Like I said, a SMALL amount of time haha During that time when my mom had the time she would make a BIG pan of chicken spaghetti and I seriously would eat this stuff for breakfast, lunch and supper. Obviously my metabolism was a bit different then. It is cheesy, a little spicy and a whole lotta yummy and not a lotta healthy :) Naturally as I started baking/cooking more healthy I do not make this as often. It is saved for special occasions because well... I know myself and I WILL eat it! The other recipe lives up to its name "death by chocolate cake". I can't remember exactly when my mom started making this but it has been around for a LONG time. It has been one of Jeffrey's favorites since before we were married. There is nothing healthy about it so again it is saved for special occasions and thoroughly enjoyed! This cake is deep chocolate, moist and amazingly good by itself or with some yummy freshness like strawberries or raspberries. Today I just topped it with a chocolate sauce. Not sure what it is about food that just takes me back. Its fun to get recipes from others and share ones that mean something to us. So, here they are....

Chicken Spaghetti
Chicken Thighs ~ boiled and de-boned (reserve a cup of broth)
Boil spaghetti noodles (according to package directions) in chicken broth, drain and set aside

1/2 stick of butter
1/2 onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
clove of garlic, chopped
saute onion, celery and garlic in butter
add:
sm can mushrooms, drained
1 can cream of chicken
1 can cream of celery
1 can rotel (I use mild)
1 jar of cheese wiz
cup of reserved chicken broth
mix and cook until heated through

place noodles in 9x13 pan, add chicken, pour sauce over top and mix with fork. place shredded cheese on top. bake covered at 350 for 20 min

Death By Chocolate Cake
grease/flour bundt pan
Devil's food cake (w/o pudding)
small box choc pudding
4 eggs
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup oil
12oz choc chips

mix all ingredients with hand mixer except choc chips
add choc chips

bake at 350 for 40 min (depending on your oven - it will feel "slightly bouncy")  or until cake pulls away from sides of pan

glaze:
1 stick butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup water

boil for 5 min. pour on cake while still hot
let cool before taking out of pan. I've found it comes out easier if you run a butter knife around the side.

Cover with you favorite chocolate sauce. add raspberries or strawberries.

This is the recipe holder I received for my thirteenth birthday. Another favorite of ours is in the top left "Broccoli Cornbread" another not healthy but YUMMY dish!