Dried chipped beef is reviled by some folks, but a comfort food to others. When I lived in Vermont in the 1970s, restaurant menus featured creamed chipped beef on a baked potato, but a lot of men my dad's age remember having it on toast when they were in the military, and they called it Shit on a Shingle.

Basic SOS

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups warm milk
1 (8 ounce) jar dried beef*
(1 pinch cayenne pepper)

In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour all at once to form a roux. Whisk in milk, a little at a time, increase heat to medium-high, and cook, stirring, until thickened. Bring to a boil, stir in beef and cayenne (if used), heat through, and serve over toast.

*Decrease the salt content by soaking in water 5 minutes and discarding the water.


This recipe is from a 1980s cookbook put together by the wives of physicians at the University of Texas Health Center at San Antonio.

Cauliflower with Chipped Beef

2 packages frozen cauliflower
2 (10 1/2 oz) cans mushroom soup
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1 tablespoon lemon juice
4 oz chipped beef, shredded

Cook the cauliflower and place in a casserole dish. Heat the soup, add the sour cream, lemon juice, and beef. Simmer for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour over the cauliflower and serve. (Maybe bake briefly.)

This casserole with macaroni is from the Daughters of the Nile in Denver, the ladies branch of the Shriners.

Chipped Beef Macaroni Casserole

1 can mushroom soup
8 oz shredded Cheddar cheese
2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
1 cup uncooked macaroni
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1/4 pound chipped beef, diced into small pieces
Crushed corn flakes (or prepared cornflake crumbs) or potato chips
Paprika

Pour boiling water over the chipped beef. Let stand 5 minutes and drain. Pour the soup into a bowl, and stir until creamy. Add the milk, cheese, onion, macaroni, and beef, mixing well. Fold in the eggs, and turn into a greased 1 1/2 quart casserole. Cover and store overnight in the refrigerator. The next day, uncover and bake 1 hour at 350 degrees. Add crushed corn flakes or potato chips and sprinkle with paprika for the last 15 minutes. Makes 8 servings.