Haystacks

Thank you for being patient with me. My new kitchen is almost done, I will post pictures of that soon. But today I am going to share with you a recipe that has many memories for me. We call it 'Haystacks.' Once a year my grandma would make this meal, usually in the fall, and whatever family that was around would be there for this meal. My family insists on this meal at least several times a year. Of course, they call it 'Hay Bales!' I promise you that you will enjoy it, it is one that we make often for company. We layer it on our plates in no particular order, but the order I am sharing is the one I was raised with. I will begin the recipe with the order and then follow with the recipes for the meat sauce and cheese sauce. The great thing about this recipe is you can adapt it to your taste and you do not have to include everything on your 'stack.' Enjoy!!

HAYSTACKS

1. crushed saltine crackers
2. rice
3. meat sauce
4. chopped/shredded lettuce
5. tomatoes
6. chopped onion
7. sliced olives
8. chopped pecans
9. cheese sauce
10. Fritos corn chips

Meat Sauce

1.5 lbs hamburger
spaghetti sauce (I use Prego)
1/2 tsp Worcestershire
1/2 green pepper, chopped
2 ribs of celery, chopped

Cook hamburger, add gr. pepper and celery. Add spaghetti sauce and Worcestershire. Simmer for half an hour. Salt and pepper to taste.

Cheese Sauce

1 stick of butter
1/2 cup of flour
3 - 4 cups milk
16oz cheddar cheese, shredded
mustard
salt and pepper

melt butter in a medium saucepan, over medium heat. add flour and whisk constantly. Once flour and butter are combined add 3 cups of milk. Stir often until milk starts to thicken. Add shredded cheese a cup or so at a time. Stir until cheese is melted, if too thick add more milk. Add mustard to taste, start with 2 tsp. Add salt and pepper.