OLD MOMMIE’S CHICKEN DIVAN CASSEROLE

CAROL ANN RUPP CRAWLEY (Alton, Virginia) was actually born in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. This mother of five is known as Old Mommie to her nine grandchildren, seven of whom were born in the South. (The other two were born and are being raised in Japan.) Granddaughter BRETT MAYLNN SEATE was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and has lived in Virginia, Tennessee, and Washington State. When they were younger and visiting, Brett and her older sister, Selena, liked to ride in the back of their grandfather Ampy’s pickup truck around the farm and through the woods. The girls also liked to dress up in the play clothes kept in a special dress-up box and perform for the rest of the family. Old Mommie’s chicken divan is always a hit, and people especially enjoy the taste of her “secret” ingredient . . . curry.

Cooking spray

4 large chicken breasts, cooked

2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped broccoli

1 cup grated Cheddar cheese

1 cup mayonnaise

2 (14.25 ounce) cans cream of chicken soup

1 teaspoon curry powder

1 cup bread crumbs

3 tablespoons margarine

1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray the bottom and sides of a 9 × 13-inch casserole dish.

2 Shred the cooked chicken and place in the bottom of the casserole dish. Steam the broccoli according to the package directions, drain, and place on top of the shredded chicken in the casserole dish.

3 In a medium bowl mix together the cheese, mayonnaise, cream of chicken soup, and curry powder.

4 Pour the mixture on top of the broccoli. Sprinkle the bread crumbs and then small pieces of the margarine over the soup mixture and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until bubbly and heated well through.

MAKES 6 TO 8 SERVINGS.