The worst part of this living on a boat adventure is that we are going to have to give up our brand new huge freezer, an extra full size fridge, and the well stocked pantry cupboard and get along with a little compact freezer, and two small worthless fridges and the wine cooler. We're figuring that another month and we'll have to relocate - and put the empty freezer and fridge in storage.

This means that for the next month or so we'll be eating to empty them. Last night was the first night! It didn't help that I really wasn't in the mood for what I'd planned so it was shoot from the hip and see what happens. I had most of the stuff for a favorite casserole that my Grandmother used to make - but the missing ingredient was integral to the dish so that was a no go.

From the pantry - 1 can chili without beans,
1 can of Campbells Southwestern cheese soup,
1 can of diced tomatoes
1/2 box of penne pasta
From the freezer 1 1/2 cups of frozen corn
a third of a bag of frozen Italian style meatballs
From the fridge enough sliced sharp cheddar cheese to cover the top
a half can of sliced black olives.

Did I just write that??? Oh, gads I did! I put the meatballs (still frozen) in the bottom of a medium baking dish and sprinkled the corn on top while the pasta cooked. While the pasta drained I emptied the cans (oh, the horror!) into the pot the pasta cooked in and combined them well until the whole concoction was hot. Upon tasting it just didn't have it, so I tossed in a tablespoon or so of my Southwest seasoning, better but not quite there. I grabbed the shaker jar of allepo pepper and while staring at my regualr spice jars (the unscrew the lid and shake kind) I unscrewed the lid and dumped about 3 tbs. of the pepper flakes into the pan. I managed to scoop about 2 tbs. out. Now it was pretty good. Then I returned the pasta to the pot with the sauce until they were well mixed, then I dumped the whole mess on top of the meatballs and corn, added the olives, and mixed them up. Then I topped it all with sliced cheddar cheese.

Oh, did I mention that Bob had spent the first part of the evening trying to adjust the oven so that it didn't smoke the kitchen up any more? Did I mention that it didn't work? Uhm, I made a casserole that needed baking! He shoehorned the casserole into the "down-sized" microwave and round and round it went for 25 minutes or so.

A couple of cocktails, "Deal or No Deal", and part of "Heros" later we had a one dish dinner. I could have made a salad - but we were hungry, and tired. It was good, not "cuisine" by any stretch of the imagination - but it was family dinner at home casserole on the table food! The leftovers just got better and better! Will I make this again? Ssssshhhhhhhhh - don't tell anyone - YES!!!