Chicken Mystery - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/4 c. butter or margarine
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 pt. half and half or light cream
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
3 c. cooked chicken, cubed
1 c. chow mein noodles
1 (4 oz.) jar pimentos, drained
1 (4 oz.) can mushrooms, drained
1 c. sliced celery
1 can sliced water chestnuts (optional)
2/3 c. mayonnaise plus 1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Preparation

Heat oven to 350\u00b0.
Have ready a 2-quart casserole.
Melt butter in a medium size heavy saucepan over low heat.
Add flour and stir until smooth and frothy.
Let mixture bubble about 3 minutes, stirring often.
Gradually stir in half and half. Increase heat to medium and simmer, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens.
Stir in salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
Put remaining ingredients except sauce and mayonnaise in baking dish. Stir in mayonnaise, then white sauce. Bake 30 to 40 minutes until hot and bubbly.
Makes 6 regular servings.