The Boiler Room welcomes a new manager, much to Bens delight. A family reunion brings out long-lost relatives, the warmth of fellowship, and an impressive spread of home-cooked casseroles.

Vivian’s Cooking Demo

Vivian’s Featured Recipe

Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

This pickled beet recipe is courtesy of Sheri Castle, and is featured in the A Casserole Says Plenty episode of Season 3 of A Chef's Life.

Ingredients

1 (10 3⁄4-oz.) can cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 (16-oz.) container sour cream
3⁄4 cup fresh peas 3⁄4 cup chopped carrots
3 tsp. poppy seeds
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
31 round buttery crackers, crushed
1⁄4 cup butter, melted

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease an 11- x 7-inch baking dish.
Stir together first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Stir in chicken. Pour into baking dish.
Toss together cracker crumbs and butter. Sprinkle over chicken mixture.
Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Tips/Techniques

Excerpted from The Southern Living Community Cookbook: Celebrating Food & Fellowship in the American South by Sheri Castle. Copyright © 2014 Time Inc. Books. Reprinted with permission from Oxmoor House, an imprint of Time Inc. Books. All rights reserved.

Yield: Makes 6 servings

More Episodes

Episode 1: Stop, Squash and Roll

Vivian seeks motherly advice from Mrs. Scarlett and her sister Johna over dinner. Premiered September 5. Check local listings. Continue

Episode 2: Pretty in Peach

Mrs. Scarlett teaches Vivian the secrets of Gramma Hills canned peaches and shares fond fried chicken memories from her own childhood. Premiered September 12. Check local listings. Continue

Episode 3: Gettin’ Figgy With It

Vivian is under the gun to pen an entire book chapter on figs in three days. The stress inspires a fig and honey bourbon slushie tasting with Warren and a fig preserves session with Ms Rose. Premiered September 19. Check local listings. Continue

Episode 4: Pickle Perfect

Vivian visits her friend Nancy for a surprisingly comforting combination of homemade pickles, chicken salad, and chocolate cake. Ben and Vivian audition a new chef to offer Ben some relief and much-needed time to focus on his art. Premiered September 26. Check local listings. Continue

Episode 5: Prickly Business

Vivians mentor, Scott Barton stops by the restaurant to peruse the kitchen and share the African roots of okra. Thanks to Warren, Vivian learns that picking okra is a prickly business. Premiered October 2. Check local listings. Continue

Episode 6: If You Can’t Beet Em

Matt from Crooked Fence Produce shows Vivian how to make “the best pickled beets she ever ate.” Vivian incorporates beets into an unconventional chocolate cake in honor of Ms. Marys 89th birthday party. Theres no telling how Ms. Lillie will respond. Premiered October 10. Check local listings. Continue

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