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Chicken Tetrazzini

Source of Recipe

From "The Glory of Southern Cooking" by James Villas


Recipe Introduction

"There are some (mainly in San Francisco) who refute the claim that this rich, creamy casserole was created in Charleston, South Carolina, shortly after the turn of the twentieth century for the famous coloratura soprano Luisa Tetrazzini, but whatever the dish's regional origin, it has come down as one of the South's most classic and beloved casseroles. Unlike most casseroles, a tetrazzini is never layered but simply tossed, and what gives the dish its distinct identity over its obvious Italian cousin (spaghetti with a ragù sauce) are not only the diverse ingredients but also the way it's baked till crusty. Leftover turkey, ham, or a mixture of meats can be used to make this tetrazzini, and no unbaked casserole freezes so beautifully till ready to be thawed, baked, and served."

List of Ingredients

â—¦ 6 tablespoons (¾ stick) butter
â—¦ ¼ pound fresh mushrooms, chopped
â—¦ ¼ cup all-purpose flour
â—¦ 1 teaspoon salt
â—¦ Freshly ground black pepper to taste
â—¦ ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
â—¦ 1 cup chicken broth
â—¦ 1 cup half-and-half
â—¦ 2 pounds cooked chicken, cubed
â—¦ 1 cup black olives, drained, pitted, and chopped
â—¦ ½ cup slivered almonds
â—¦ ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
â—¦ 1 large egg yolk, beaten
â—¦ 7 ounces spaghetti, cooked according to package directions (but not more than 8 minutes) and drained


Recipe

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Butter a 2- to 2 ½-quart casserole.
In a small skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over moderate heat. Add the mushrooms, stir for 5 minutes, and remove from the heat.

In a large, heavy pot over moderate heat, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter, add the flour, salt, pepper, and nutmeg, and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Gradually add the broth and half-and-half and cook, stirring, till the sauce begins to thicken, about 5 minutes. Remove pot from the heat, add the chicken, olives, almonds, cheese, and egg yolk, and stir till well blended.

Place the cooked spaghetti in the casserole, pour the chicken mixture over the top, toss to mix well, and bake till crusty, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve hot.

Makes 6 servings