Mix And Match Fools Food

MIX-AND-MATCH FOOLS

Steps:

• Whipped cream:
• Using the largest (and widest) whisk you have, beat cream, sugar, vanilla, and salt in a large chilled bowl until soft peaks form, 3-6 minutes, depending on how many breaks you take.
• Do Ahead: Whipped cream can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover and chill. Just before serving, whisk cream once or twice to refluff, but don't overwhip it.
• Berries and assembly:
• Combine berries, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Let sit, tossing occasionally, until juicy, at least 15 minutes.
• Add berries to whipped cream and fold gently until mixture is streaky but barely combined (just one or two strokes should do it). Scoop into small glasses.
• Do Ahead: Berries can be macerated 2 hours ahead. Leave at room temperature.

MIX AND MATCH CASSEROLES

Steps:

• The meat can be: 2 cans tuna, shrimp or crab, or 2 cups chopped cooked chicken or turkey, or 2 cups chopped ham, or 1 lb. ground beef, cooked crumbled and drained.
• The sauce can be: 1 can of cream of "your favorite, I like onion" soup or 2 cans (14 1/2 oz) tomatoes or 2 cups of your own sauce (barbecue, sweet and sour, teriyaki, curry, marinara, gravy, cheese sauce, etc etc).
• The extra can be: 1 small can mushrooms, 1 small can sliced olives, 1/4 cup chopped red or green bell pepper, 1/4 cup chopped onion, 1/4 cup chopped celery, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 can chopped green chilies, 1 package taco seasoning, ranch seasoning, etc etc.
• The vegetable can be: 1 14-1/2 ounce can vegetable of your choice (peas, green beans, spinach, corn, asparagus) or 2 cups frozen or fresh.
• The starch can be: uncooked small pasta shells, egg noodles, uncooked rice, hash browns, etc etc.
• You can use one or two toppings: 1/2 cup cheese of any kind, or 1 cup bread/cracker crumbs mixed with melted butter and sprinkled on top, or stuffing mix. Could be crushed taco or potato chips. Or French fried onions.
• Once you have chosen your combination, combine 1 8-ounce container sour cream, 1 cup milk, 1 cup water, 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp pepper with sauce (omit sour cream and milk if using tomatoes).
• Stir in Vegetable, Pasta/Rice, Meat/Fish/Poultry, and, if desired, Extras. Spoon into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Bake, covered, at 350? for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with Toppings; bake 10 more minutes.