Recipes and Memories

Until We Meet Again

She was not well as we gathered round for her 89th birthday.  We all prayed she would not linger long in this painful struggle.  Each of us whispered "I love you" and set her free from worry on our behalf.  We posed for pictures one by one. Hoping for a reminder that we could add to the many cherished memories we already held dear.

Still...no one could imagine she would leave us so quickly. So much left to be said. So many memories to recall. Less than 2 days later our mother, grandmother and friend ended her journey here.  Left in the wake of her absence, we are numb and weary.  It feels as if so little is left of such a vibrant life.

Today the sun is shining through the clouds.  I had my first glimpse of spring when I looked out the window today and saw the birds feeding in the green blades of grass. My first thought was that I couldnt wait to watch the roses bloom and begin to dig in the garden. Mother is here. So is Dad. They will always be here. As Spring wakens her roses and her feathered friends, as the seeds must be planted and carefully tended... their presence will be strong.  They each blessed us in life and will continue to bless us as we move along this earthly path.

Pam's Potato Soup

3 cups chicken broth

5 cups diced potatoes

1 large diced onion

1 large diced celery stalk

1 large carrot diced

boil vegetables in broth for 10 minutes.  Melt 3/4 cup butter and 3/4 cups flour in separate pan.  Cook together to make rue.  Add 1 quart half and half.  Stir until thick.  Add 1 8 oz bottle cheese whiz.  Add to cooked vegetables in broth. 

Janette Moleman's Plain Custard

3 slightly beaten eggs                2 scalded milk

1/4 cup sugar                           1/2 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp salt

Put in oven proof bowl in water bath.  Bake at 325 for an hour.

I use this custard for rice pudding.  I just add 1 to 1/12 cup left over white rice.  Add rasins if you desire.  Sprinkle top with nutmeg.  Bake the same as the custard.

Kath's Peach Ice Cream

This is a great ice cream to make for a large group.  It is so easy that you can make it in the mountains. 

1 large can evaporated milk               1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 large pk instant vanilla pudding        2 quarts half and half

3 cups mashed fresh peaches              2 cups sugar

1/2 tsp salt

You may use canned peaches also, but drain off juice. You may change the flavor of the pudding and try different fruits.  Chocolate pudding works great too.

Dump all into the ice cream makker and start churning!

Aunt Rosa's Sweet and Sour Chicken

Mom served this with white rice.

1 8 oz.  bottle Russian Dressing                              1 pk onion soup mix

1 10 oz apricot jam

Mix and pour over browned chicken.  Bake for 11/2 hour at 300 to 325 oven.

California Chicken Cacciatore

Dad loved this dish.  Mom served it with white rice.  It is good enough for Sunday dinner.

3 tbls flour                        1 tablespoon instant minced onion

1 tsp salt                           1/2 cup chopped green pepper

1/4 teaspoon pepper           2 tbls chopped parsley

1 frying chicken                  1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

3 tbls vegetable oil              1/4 tsp oregano

1 can 1 lb. stewed tomatoes       1 cup canned pitted drained ripe olives

Combine flour salt and pepper.  Coat chicken with seasoned flour.  Heat oil; brown chicken on all sides.  Add all remaining ingredients except ripe olives.  Bring to boil; lower heat.  Cover; simmer 25 minutes; add ripe olives.  Cook 15 minutes longer or until chicken is fork tender.  Makes 4 servings.

Sherry's Vegetable Soup

This is very good soup.  It is great the next day with cooked chicken in it and crushed corn tortilla's.  Two soups in one. 

2 lrg box chicken broth

1 lg. can peeled diced tomatoes

saute - 1 diced onion and 1 clove garlic in oil at bottom of pot - pour in broth and tomatoes

Add - 1 med. bag chopped carrots

         3 cups diced red potatoes with skins, 1 acorn squash cubed and skined 3 stalks celery

cook the above until tender.  Add 1 bag spinach, 2 zuchinni sliced thin, 2 tsp soy sauce, 1 tsp. lemon juice, 2 tsp cayenne pepper ( less for mild).

Cook on med. until zuchinni is tender. 

Sue's White Icing

This frosting is used to fill the easter cupcakes that mom used to make.  It is a fluffy, not too sweet frosting.  It is perfect for fillings.  You may also use it to frost the tops.  Mom used to put green coconut on top and three little jelly beans to make a cute nest.  These are a tradition at every Easter get together. 

1 cup milk                     4 tbs. flour 

Mix and cook as white sauce - cool thoroughly

1/2 cup shortening

1 stick margarine

whip 4 minutes and add 1 cup sugar gradually.  Continue to beat 4 more minutes add cooled white sauce and 2 teas vanilla.  Beat another 4 minutes.

Aunt Nina's Caramel Nut Rolls

Center

Mix:  3 cups sugar                                   3/4 cups cream

         3/4 cups milk                                 1/4 tsp salt

         1/3  cup white Karo syrup      

mix cream, milk together measure half and cook with rest of ingredients until it turns pale amber color.  Add rest of milk mixture and cook to 230.   Use candy thermometer.   Pour into glass pan.  cool untill cold.  Then beat and mold into 6 inch rolls abount 1 inch in thick.

Caramel

Mix:  2 cups sugar                                     1 1/4 white Karo Syrup

2 cups cream                                             1/2 cup milk

1/2 tsp salt

begin with only 1 cup cream.  Cook all ing. together until it turns a light amber.  Add rest of cream gradually and cook until 233.  Pour out on large buttered cookie sheetl  Cut big enough to roll around centers and then in nuts.  Cut in slices.

Leona's English Light Fruit Cake

This is really a good fruit cake.  Really, it is. 

Bake 1 1/2 hour at 300

1/2 pound butter (2 sticks)                                  1 cup sugar

5 eggs (seperated)                                               1/2 lbs fruit mix

1 lbs. seedless raisins                                           1 lbs chopped dates

1/2 walnuts                                                          1 cup candied cherries or marchino

1 tsp salt                                                              1/4 cups orange juice and grated rind

1/4 C lemon juice and grated rind of 2 lemons        1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp cloves                                                        1 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp mace (?)                                                     3 cups flour

1/2 cup grape juice                                                 1/2 pound gum drops cut into small peices

line 3 loaf pans with tin foil.