Mamaw's Meat Pie

Pretty much all of of Tim's favorite childhood memories revolve around tasty, cozy meals at his grandparents home in Crystal Springs, following long, adventure-filled days roaming around in Papaw's pastures & woods.  Unfortunately, most of her recipes were not written down before she went into the nursing home. 

Tim did manage to follow Mamaw around her loving kitchen about 10 years ago while she was making one of his most requested dishes, Meat Pie, and that index card where he jotted down the recipe is a treasured item around our house!   She laughs when I tell her how often I make her meat pie -- her favorite phrase is that her food "wasn't fit to eat."  Hardly true -- it's delicious!!!

It starts with ground beef, onions and celery browned in a stick of melted butter. . .

In the meantime, noodles are boiled & drained

Several cans of stewed tomatoes and seasonings are added to the meat/veggie mixture, simmered and combined with the noodles.

Then it's the MOST IMPORTANT step in Tim's book -- liberally covering the casserole with slices of sharp cheddar cheese.  And they must overlap (and yes, over the years, a cheese inspection by Tim has occurred before I can put it in the oven to bake!)

The finished product. . . a bubbly melted-cheese dish of Mamaw's Meat Pie goodness!

Although I can never re-create the memories Tim has (or the exact recipe -- it certainly doesn't taste quite like Mamaw's), it has been such a special joy for him to share a meal of Mamaw's Meat Pie with his girls!