Okay, Chickens … we’re going off script today! You will find that I will go off script every once in a while. This means that my bake will not come from my beloved taste of home cookbook, but it will come from another home cook in my life. And this home cook is my dear Grandma Molly.

Grandma was a force! She was very quick-witted, strong and a fierce protector of the family. She was also a fantastic cook. You know the kind … she learned to cook from her mother before all of the world’s modern conveniences. She was one of 8 kids. Grandma raised three daughters (including my Mom) on a farm and she taught them all of these favorite farm family recipes. She was the teacher in a one-room schoolhouse with kids of all grades. I love Grandma’s recipes, although they are scary … many of them will instruct you to add an ingredient until the dough or batter looks or feels right! Now, I fancy myself to be a fairly competent cook but those kinds of instructions have always been terrifying to me! But, when you “get it” … and you truly know what the “right” look or feel is … it’s very satisfying!

Today we’re going way off script because instead of baking, I’d like to share with you one of my Grandma’s easy savory dishes, Pizza Spread. This ooey-gooey spread that gets broiled on top of a fresh white bun (yup, a white bun is the best) is something I remember from my childhood. Grandma or Mom would fill a cookie sheet with bun halves, covered in Pizza Spread. Cooked under the broiler for a few minutes, until bubbly and starting to brown and … yum! Add some sweet or dill pickles on the side and call it lunch! Okay, let’s get to the recipe …

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Pizza Spread

1 large onion, chopped
6 celery stalks, chopped
1 lb. bacon, chopped
1 can tomato soup
400-500 mg Velveeta

1.     Finely chop the onion, celery and bacon and fry together in a non-stick electric frying pan. Drain well.

2.     Add tomato soup and Velveeta (I chop my into cubes so it will melt more easily)

3.     Stir all ingredients together and heat on low until cheese is melted.

4.     Spread mixture onto bun-halves and broil until bubbly and browning … be careful, it will burn quickly under the broiler!

I always make a double batch; it’s just as easy and it is a lot of chopping! A single batch will net 4 cups of cheesy spread! Bonus – this freezes beautifully which is why I always like to have extra around. It’s a great lunch or snack (you could use slider buns) for a crowd. I always remember having these when the whole family was together for holidays or football playoffs.

What does Norma say about this Pizza Spread? Memories! Shelley and I have known each other for a very long time and this recipe has always been a fam and friend fave 🙂 The warm, not too spicy, but flavourful taste of home lunches and game time snacks. And if you’re feeling like something a little more “caliente” a couple of drops of hot sauce will do the trick.

TEMPTATION LEVEL out of 10: It ain’t fancy cookin’, but you’ll find room for one, two and okay, just one more—especially on a chilly day! It’s a comfy 8 out of 10!