Today the word "Casserole" is used to describe a cooking method or the
dish (container) used to make a casserole. The word itself seems to have
been an English adaptation of the old French word "Casse" which meant
ladle or dish with the English addition of "role" which simply means to
"take the form or likings of". In today's Parisian French the word
"Casse" means break. So to drop your glass casserole dish may render it
"Casse'd" (Cah-say'd). Laugh, that was supposed to be funny. When any of
our Cajun folk have had too much to drink that's one word we use to
describe their condition.
Early history has it that the Casserole took on the form of a dish in
which multiple ingredients were combined and cooked in an oven in a clay
pot. The method would provide an "all in one" meal in many instances and
would consist of a meat combined with a filler such as rice.
In the 20's and 30's when money was tight the casserole was a way to
stretch leftovers much as a soup did. It was also a great method of
using somewhat bland vegetables like squash and potatoes and blending
meat flavors to develop a delicious and filling meal; filling being the
most important.
In the 1950's it was popular because it would free the housewife from
lengthy "stove standing" and would allow her to tend to the house duties
and still prepare the family's meal. The availability of newly
introduced glassware made it even more of a delight.
The casserole is still popular now in the south especially since we
cling to old ways and stretching food is just a smart thing to do.
Besides that, how can you go wrong with a crab meat and eggplant
casserole?
In short, the casserole begins with a base or meat. That meat can be
pork, beef, wild game, fish or shell fish. Next it involves the filler
which can be rice, bread, pasta, potatoes and most any of the squashes.
Casseroles can lean to the sweet or savory styles and just depends on
what your base ingredients are going to be.
If you're not much of a casserole chef do yourself a favor and research
some of the great casserole combinations out there.
If you want to learn more about the history of casseroles you can check
this website out.
The Food Timeline