Just Another Hotdish Recipe
This is my blog, so I can do what I want. I forgot that I was going to tack a recipe on to the end of my last blog, and it's not a leftover turkey recipe, either. This is one of my favorite hotdishes, or casseroles for you uppity people, and although it may sound odd, go with me on this one.

It's old. Maybe close to 100 years old, and I'm going to update it slightly. I know it's that old because it's been floating around our family kitchens for that long.

We call it the Nelson Hotdish because my grandmother, at one point, had neighbors of that name, who gave her the recipe.

1 package of egg noodles (you can use the No Yolk noodles, just fine)
NOTE: You may want a little less than a package - they've
changed the sizes of things and soup cans contain less
so if you use an entire package, it may be a little dry.
1 can of kernel corn
2 cans of tomato soup
1/2 to 1 full lb of bacon (it's up to you how much you like in there, I like the whole package)
NOTE: The original recipe called for frying the bacon, onions and
green peppers all together in one pan and then, complete
with the bacon drippings, adding that all to the hotdish.
You can do this, if you want. It's probably very good.
We've never had the guts to try it that way, however.
1 onion, chopped
1 Green pepper, chopped
1Tbsp butter or margerine (or olive oil - it's to fry the onion and green pepper)

Chili powder - to taste - I usually use about 1 Tbsp
Salt & Pepper to taste
A spoonful of sugar - optional, but it does make it tasty

Cook the noodles according to the package. Microwave the bacon and crumble or cut it up.
Chop up the onions and green pepper, fry in the butter until the onion is clear. (NOTE: You can get extra flavor if you fry the bacon and then in the drippings, you cooked the onions and green peppers, and then drain the drippings. This is a modified version of the original directions, and very, very good, but most people don't like to cook in bacon drippings anymore.)

Mix the corn, seasonings, tomato soup, and then add the veggies and bacon. Mix all this with the noodles and place in a greased casserole dish.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 40-50 minutes - you only need to heat it through and make the flavors meld a little bit.

VERY GOOD EXTRA TOUCH: crush some corn flakes in a ziplock bag. About ten minutes before the hotdish is done, sprinkle the crushed corn flakes on top of the hotdish. Sprinkle THAT with a little melted butter. Stick back into the oven and let it bake another 10 minutes or so, until the cornflakes brown a little bit. (You don't really have to sprinkle the corn flakes with the melted butter, but it really is very, very yummy if you do that. You can just go with the crushed corn flakes, or even those canned, fried onion bits people use on green bean casserole.)

That's about it. I *love* this hotdish. Leftovers are fantastic and easily microwaved. In fact, the leftovers are often better the second day.

Enjoy!