My friend Lindsay and I got to talking about comfort food the other day. It must have been the chill in the air that morning that somehow steered our conversation in the direction of flannel shirts, wool underwear and finally, comfort food.

Across the aisle that separates our desks we tossed the classics back and forth. Hot cider, then hot chocolate. Cream-of-wheat, then oatmeal. Tomato soup, then chili. At one point, I lobbed out chicken and noodles on mashed potatoes.

Wow, time out.

Lindsey had never heard of our regional staple - that church dinner to beat all others. And there I was, tempting the young lady with the ultimate comfort food, yet ignorant of the origin of this marvelous carbohydrate celebration and, unable to give her a recipe for the dish.

Who was it that first crowned a pile of fluffy white mashed potatoes with a mound of boiled chicken swimming in a stew of lovely, ivory colored noodles? And, why has this succulent meal stayed regional in its popularity?

I'll confess that I have done zero research on this important subject. The only manner in which I really wish to tackle the subject of chicken and noodles is with a fork in my hand and a napkin in my lap.

If I had to write a book on the subject it most likely would be a picture book. The reason being, there isn't a prettier sight than that medley of white and off white and yellow and cream that colors the tower that is chicken and noodles on mashed potatoes. The book's title would have to be borrowed somewhat from author Robert Fulghum - something on the order of "All I Really Need to Know About Chicken and Noodles I Learned in a Church Basement."

So, I'm sending out a plea for some information.

It sounds like one must master a lot of cooking disciplines in order to crank out this particular meal. Noodle making, potato mashing, chicken boning, broth concocting, that's a tall order for some of us used to staying on the serving side of the meal line.

Is there a recipe for this meal? My wife describes the process of the meal to me and I glaze over for lack of background on each element.

I'm looking for something on the order of: "first you take a chicken..."

And then it's simply curiosity that has me wondering if this meal has its roots in some religious denomination. Did it have its start in some church basement kitchen somewhere? What inspired the combination? Let's give credit where credit is due. Then there is the question of the Presbyterians in Delphi who seem to prefer dumplings over noodles - and what's that all about?

I have my own theory about the inevitable pairing of the Hoosier version of green beans with the delightful chicken and noodles on mashed potatoes. Some minister somewhere saw to it to keep the flock grounded. It is the contrast of the heavenly with what must be considered, well, the opposite. I mean, to take a perfectly innocent crisp, nutrient rich green bean and put it through whatever is done in Indiana to render it that lifeless, droopy green blob, well it certainly inspires one to lead a virtuous life.

So attention to our recipe collecting readers. In some little tin container in the pantry, or stuffed in a cardboard box under assorted layers in the cedar chest, somewhere in Carroll County there is an actual recipe for chicken and noodles on mashed potatoes.

Will you share it?

And as the chill in the air sends us scurrying to our closets for sweaters and outside to hang storm windows, I know it also is sending church ladies to kitchens all over. Fall is coming, church bazaars are in the works and grocery lists are being penned for the ultimate in comfort food.