Kitchen Concoctions





Funeral Food

What a depressing title for this blog post; right? I hate when popular ‘potluck’ foods are given the title ‘funeral “whatever”‘. I mean it is so depressing and totally turns me off from the food.

I remember when I first heard this term when I was in high school and brought a fruit salad (I will be sharing that recipe Saturday) to a work potluck. One of the ladies I worked with at the time called it funeral salad. I got so offended and totally had my feelings hurt. Even after she explained that the particular salad was just called that because it was so frequently seen at funeral luncheons. I was still totally put off and it took me years months to eat that salad again! 
This classic potato casserole is another one that is commonly referred to as Funeral Potatoes. I mean Potluck Potatoes sound so much better. Or Old Skool Potato Casserole has a fun ring to them. Or in honor of my Mom, Mom’s Potato Casserole.
This potato casserole is quite popular (as seen here, here, and even here). And even though it uses the normally frowned upon cream of ‘what’ soup, I wouldn’t have it any other way! This casserole, cream of soup and all, reminds me of home sweet home (and not funerals… thank goodness).

Mom’s Potato Casserole
Printable Version
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 40 minutes Serves: 12

1 small onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 (28 ounce) bag shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
2 cups sour cream
2 (10 ounce) cans cream of chicken soup
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups cornflakes crushed

Preheat oven to 350.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant. Remove from heat. Add the thawed hash browns, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, cheese, 1/3 cup melted butter and pepper and combine well.
Spread the mixture into a 9×13 inch dish. Mix corn flakes with remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Sprinkle over hash brown mixture. Bake for 40 minutes or until the casserole is hot in the center and the cheese is bubbly throughout.

adapted from my Mom’s version

Comments

  1. Isn't it funny how differently people observe funerals. In our family a funeral is a full of reminiscing of all the funny memories people had of the deceased while eating our favorite foods. We leave the gathering exhausted from laughing, eating and being close to loved ones. It sounds funny to me as I write this, but I am glad it is this way. Somehow it eases the sorrow.