Scottie's Sandwich

My sister's riff on the Filet-o-fish is a good one. She formulated it while still a girl, and I thought she was a culinary genius. It consists of two hamburger buns topped with four crispy fish sticks, a slice of American cheese, and slathered with ketchup and mayo. I and my children still enjoy this occasionally, and I always mention their Aunt Scottie's kitchen creativity.

I like it much better than her recipe for pinto beans topped with mayonnaise.

Many years ago, I was forced to formulate my own recipe for a fish stick casserole when an internet search proved fruitless. Nowadays, you can find them everywhere, but in those days I was a real pioneer in this field. I worked up the courage to serve it for dinner one evening. It did NOT meet with rave reviews. My mistake was the use of cheddar cheese in said casserole since it proved too tangy for the delicate flavor of the fish stick. If you try this recipe, omit all cheese or drape the fish sticks with slices of American in the last moment of baking - just until goldenly melted.

Fish Stick Casserole:

Grease the bottom of a 9X13 casserole dish with Pam

Layer with one package of hashbrown potatoes from the refrigerator section or one package of thawed hashbrowns from the freezer section.

Top with a mixture of one can cream of chicken soup, 4 Tbsp.chopped onions (maybe lightly sauteed in butter if you have time, and you do), and a scant amount of sour cream (remember we are not trying to overpower the fish stick, but to showcase it's flakiness). You know, I change my mind. Maybe we should go with a scant amount of mayo or mayo mixed with sour cream - or possibly tartar sauce. I vacillate here because I would rather save the tartar sauce as a condiment to the completed dish. Be careful. You do not want to ruin this dish with over-thoughtfulness. And don't forget to season with salt and pepper. Many a delicious fish stick pudding has been ruined due to under seasoning.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

Top the above with previously baked fish sticks. Many of them. Just loaded. Optionally, you may now top this casserole with that American cheese we discussed earlier and pop it back in the oven for a moment.

Drizzle with ketchup and/or tartar sauce.

Serve with a salad.

You see, it's my sister's sandwich all grown up - in casserole form.

Tomorrow I will share the recipe for my deconstructed potato salad - which is a deviled egg topped with a tater tot. (No one likes this one either.)