Hawaiian Haystacks

This isn't so much a recipe, as instructions for assembly.

My mom used to make these on busy nights...well...she didn't actually make them, as they are a "prepare-it-yourself" kind of dinner, but she prepared all the ingredients. I have no idea where she got the recipe, if it was something she found or invented, but it is awesome to use on a night when you're too tired to do anything much.

It's like Taco Night...you cook the meat, and slice the tomatoes and grate the cheese and shred the lettuce...and then you put everything in bowls and let everybody make their own dang taco the way they want it. So if you're like me, and have one kid who will only eat meat and olives in his taco and another who doesn't want the tortilla and wants a taco salad, it's no big deal, as they can assemble their taco as they please.

Hawaiian Haystacks is the same basic principle. You prepare a bunch of ingredients and let everyone make it the way they want. And although traditional Haystacks have a base of Chow Mien Noodles, white rice, and cream of chicken soup, and are then accented with various toppings, even THAT rule is hardly set in stone, as I have some children who just want the base ingredients, and one who will only put Chow Mien noodles and pineapple on their plate.

Anyway...

Here is the basic assembly instructions and list of ingredients for Hawaiian Haystacks. Keep in mind that this is truly a "what-do-I-need-to-use-up-in-my-fridge-or-pantry" kind of recipe...anything goes. This is only a basic list...feel free to embellish or delete any ingredients you wish.

You don't need any sides with this meal...it is totally "all-inclusive".

And remember to double if you're feeding an army, missionaries, or my kids.

Hawaiian Haystacks

1 can Chow Mien noodles

2 cups white rice, cooked

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can condensed milk

1-2 cans canned chicken

2 tomatoes, diced

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup diced celery

1 can olives, halved

1 can pineapple chunks

1. Mix your cream of chicken soup, canned chicken, and condensed milk in a saucepan thoroughly. Heat until warm. Keep warm on stove.

2. Layer Chow Mien noodles, white rice, and cream of chicken mixture on each plate.

3. Top with shredded cheese.

4. Top with any other toppings you like. Besides those listed above, try diced bell peppers, diced cucumbers, shredded carrots, green chilies, etc. Use your imagination. What makes this "Hawaiian" is the pineapple. Although it seems weird to mix all these things together...it is SERIOUSLY yummy. Hence one of my mottoes: "Ugly food tastes best".

courtesy Fraley Family Archives