Hawaiian Haystacks

Kate Jepsen

My first date was the Sweethearts Dance at school.  Each boy in our group brought an ingredient for this recipe and it was delicious!  I went with a handsome redhead named Rusty.  My mom loved him and really encouraged me to pursue him more (I think she was already dreaming of red-headed grandchildren),  but I told her that although he was very nice and polite, I wanted to end up with someone more interesting who could make me laugh.  I obviously found that in Joe and couldn’t be happier (and we ended up having red-head kids anyway!)  This recipe has become a standard in our house, but we especially love to make it when we travel in our RV.

• 1 pot of cooked rice
• 1 can chicken broth, heated through
• 1 can cream of chicken soup (with one can water), heated through
• Shredded cooked chicken breasts
• 1 container Chow Mien noodles
• Chopped celery
• Sliced scallions
• Finely shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can pineapple chunks
• 1 bag toasted, shredded coconut
• 1 bag slivered almonds
• Soy sauce

To serve: have each ingredient in a separate container with a spoon in an assembly line.
(Alternative method: make a gravy by combining soup and either broth, milk or water to desired consistency. Heat and stir in chicken.)

Starting with rice, layer on desired ingredients- perfect for picky eaters!  Every serving will look different!