Midwestern Hot Dish

This is the traditional Midwestern Chop Mein Hot Dish that many of us grew up on from Minnesota all the way down to Texas. Still yummy. There are many versions of this but they vary very little. Those of you who have gourmet leanings probably will pass this one by, but I urge you to try it once. Haven't met a single person who hasn't liked this. The only thing I alter on this recipe is to use reduced-salt soy sauce and lean hamburger (then I don't have to drain it).

Chow Mein Casserole

1 1/2 - 2 cups chopped celery
1 onion, chopped
1 pound hamburger
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 (4 oz.) can mushrooms
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 cup rice
2 cups boiling water
salt and pepper to taste (personally, I think there is enough salt)
chow mein noodles

Brown hamburger and onion. Drain if hamburger is not lean. Put boiling water into bowl and add rice. Let sit for 3 minutes. Mix all ingredients into hamburger/onion mixture. Pour into 2 qt. casserole dish. Top with chow mein noodles. Bake uncovered at 350 F for 1.5 hours. Serve with a mixed salad. Serves 6.