Guest Blogger: Cooking With Author Sandra Merville Hart!

Today I am happy to welcome author Sandra Merville Hart to The Patchwork Quilt Blog. Her recipe is one I grew up with in Japan. She has a new novel out, so be sure to read all about it!

Happy Eating and Reading!

~*~*~*~


A friend shared a recipe for a casserole that became a favorite with my family. Double the recipe and it's excellent for potluck suppers and family gatherings. When loved ones need a meal brought to them, I double the recipe and take a casserole to my friend's family and leave one at home for mine.

When doubling the recipe, I don't double the salt. Some members of my family don't like a lot of salt and the bouillon cubes add a salty flavor, too. You may want to play with this a little or just have the salt shaker handy for those who need it -- like me!

I've received lots of compliments for this dish over the years. Our adult children were excited to eat this over Christmas, so I will remember to fix it more often.

Creamy Chicken Noodle Bake
8 oz. egg noodles
4 chicken bouillon cubes
6 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 cups cooked chicken, diced
3 tablespoons parsley flakes

Cook noodles in 3 quarts of rapidly boiling water for 7 - 10 minutes. Drain and rinse.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Dissolve bullion cubes in water on medium heat. (1 bouillon cube to 1 cup of water, so you'll need 4 cups of water in the standard recipe.)

Melt butter over low heat in a large saucepan. Combine flour, salt, paprika, and pepper in a small bowl. Stir the flour and seasonings into the melted butter. Slowly pour in reserved bouillon broth. Cook and stir over low heat until thickened.

Add noodles and parsley flakes to this mixture and toss gently. Spray a 13" x 9" x 2" baking dish with cooking spray. Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 50 to 60 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
This recipe serves 8.


About Sandra

Sandra Merville Hart loves to find unusual facts in her historical research to use in her stories. She and her husband travel to locations of her books whenever possible to explore the history. Everything she learns about the area adds to the depth of the story for her. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking, trying new recipes, and baking. She has written for several publications and websites. She is Assistant Editor for DevoKids.com. Besides her debut Civil War romance, A Stranger On My Land, she contributed to two collections to be released this year: Spoken Moments and Jesus Encounters.

A Stranger on My Land ~ A Civil War Romance by Sandra Merville Hart

Carrie and her little brother, Jay, find a wounded soldier on their land after a battle which later became known as "The Battle Above the Clouds." Adam, a Union soldier, has been shot twice in the arm. Though Carrie is reluctant to take Adam to their cave where her family hides their livestock from both armies, she cannot turn her back on him.

But her Aunt Lavinia, bitter over what Yankees have done to their land, urges Carrie to allow Adam to die. Carrie refuses, but cannot remove the bullets. Adam's friendship with Jay softens her heart toward him. It's not long until his gratitude and teasing manner spark a friendship between the young couple. Even though Carrie's father fights for the Confederacy in far-off Virginia, her feelings for the handsome young soldier begin to blossom into love.

When Adam's condition worsens, Carrie knows a Union surgeon is needed to save his life. How can she accomplish this and keep her family's hiding place a secret?


Sandra's book is available at:
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas: http://store.lpcbooks.com/product/a-stranger-on-my-land/
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Stranger-Land-Civil-War-Romance/dp/1941103278/

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-stranger-on-my-land-sandra-merville-hart/1120155194?ean=9781941103272


You can find Sandra at these places online:
Assistant Editor at DevoKids: http://devokids.com/category/stories/
The Barn Door Book Loft: http://www.barndoorbookloft.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandra.m.hart.7
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sandramhart7/
Sandra's Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8445068.Sandra_Merville_Hart