Thanksgiving Would Have Never Been The Same Without Her!!

[+ Gar1eth]

 

 

HADDONFIELD, N.J. (AP) — The woman who created a Thanksgiving staple enjoyed by millions — the green bean casserole — has died at age 92.

 

Dorcas Reilly died on Oct. 15 of Alzheimer’s disease, said Ken Tomlinson of the Hinski-Tomlinson Funeral Home in Haddonfield, New Jersey.

 

Campbell Soup officials said the New Jersey resident was the driving force behind the popular dish, made with green beans and cream of mushroom soup and topped with crunchy fried onions. The company said it is the most popular recipe ever to come out of its corporate kitchen. The recipe’s website got 2.7 million visits during last year’s holidays, the company said.

 

The original recipe card was donated to the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2002.

 

“Dorcas was an incredible woman, whose legacy will live on for years to come. She will be missed by her Campbell colleagues and all those who were impacted by her creativity and generous spirit,” the company said in a statement.

 

Reilly was a Campbell Soup kitchen supervisor in 1955 when she combined the ingredients of the now-legendary green bean casserole for an Associated Press feature.

 

In a 2005 AP interview marking the recipe’s 50th anniversary, Reilly said she didn’t remember having a hand in it because the dish was among hundreds that were created during her time at Campbell’s. She also helped create a tomato soup meatloaf, a tuna noodle casserole and Sloppy Joe-like “souperburgers.”

 

The recipe is still a fixture on soup-can labels and television commercials. And Reilly said she always kept the ingredients for the casserole on hand in her home — just in case someone asked her to whip one up.

 

Reilly also noted whenever the company held recipe contests, she would typically see “homemade” variations of the soup-can recipe for the casserole.

 

“It would be Aunt Suzy’s or Grandma’s,” she said.

 

Campbell’s officials have said consumers often tell them practically anyone — even novices or bad cooks — can make a green bean casserole because it’s so easy to prepare.

 

Reilly worked for Campbell’s on and off between the late 1940s and 1988, when she retired as manager of the Campbell’s kitchen.

 

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Thomas, and a son and daughter. A service will be held Saturday in Haddonfield.

 

 

Gman

[rvwnsd]

Thanks for posting this, @Gar1eth. I just heard about her today at dinner.

[RM]

Thanks for posting this, @Gar1eth. I just heard about her today at dinner.

I don't like the green been casserole.

[+ Gar1eth]

I don't like the green been casserole.

 

I don't know that I was extremely fond of it as a child. But I think I've loved it since teenage-hood at the least. And def loved it by adulthood.

 

Gman

[MikeBiDude]

I make it year round....it’s a crowd pleaser

[marylander1940]

She made Americans eat vegetables and that's not an easy accomplishment! R.I.P.!

[+ Charlie]

I love the green bean casserole.

[+ azdr0710]

for breakfast, I just now finished the leftover green bean casserole (Trader Joe recipe) I made yesterday for the group.....as they say, leftovers taste even better........

[MikeBiDude]

P.S. While I keep the pantry ingredients around and in stock as did Dorcas...I’ll use fresh/blanched green beans if I have enough notice ahead of preparing this.

[+ Gar1eth]

P.S. While I keep the pantry ingredients around and in stock as did Dorcas...I’ll use fresh/blanched green beans if I have enough notice ahead of preparing this.

 

I've seen it prepared that way, and I like it. But ya know, I prefer it with canned green beans.

 

for breakfast, I just now finished the leftover green bean casserole (Trader Joe recipe) I made yesterday for the group.....as they say, leftovers taste even better........

 

Have you ever added leftover turkey and dressing to it while mixing another can of mushroom soup and then baking the whole thing until it gets hot?

 

Gman

[MikeBiDude]

Have you ever added leftover turkey and dressing to it while mixing another can of mushroom soup and then baking the whole thing until it gets hot?

THAT sounds pretty good and comforting...

[mike carey]

I dislike canned [green] beans, and don't think all that much of canned peas or asparagus. So I'd be with @MikeBiDude on this one. But I agree that anyone who can persuade Americans (or Australians) to eat more vegetables deserves some kudos.

[+ Pensant]

When I host, it’s never served; however, I enjoy a small serving when others cook, as I did this year. I make enough sides as it is!