Pea Pod Casserole

This is a casserole I have been making since high school. I worked in the kitchen of the local hospital and this was something they served the employees in the cafeteria. It was a great base that I have "spiced" up and added additional vegetables to over the years. You may layer as much as you like...add water chestnuts, mushrooms whatever your heart desires. I just prefer to keep it simple. Over rice it's a great fast meal.

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 lbs  ground chuck
• 1  medium onion, chopped
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
•  soy sauce
• 4  stalks celery, cut diagonally
• 2 (6 ounce) packages  frozen pea pods, thawed
• 1  large  red peppers or 1  large green pepper, cut into thin strips
• 2  cans  cream of mushroom soup
• 1  cup milk
• 1  tablespoon soy sauce
• 1  teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 (8 ounce) package  chow mein noodles

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Brown ground chuck with onion,1/2 t.
3. garlic powder, ginger and soy sauce to taste.
4. Drain well.
5. Place meat mixture in a 13x9 pan.
6. Place celery over meat mixture.
7. Place pepper strips over celery.
8. Place pea pods over pepper strips.
9. Mix the soup, 1 T.
10. soy sauce, 1 t.
11. garlic powder and milk.
12. Blend well.
13. Pour evenly over meat and vegetables.
14. Bake in over for 40 minutes until hot and bubbly.
15. Evenly place chow mein noodles over casserole and bake an additional 10 minutes.
16. Serve with freshly steamed rice and soy sauce to pass.