MAXINE'S BAKED PORK CHOPS

This recipe was made frequently by Maxine back in my childhood Southern Indiana area over 50 years ago. 

4 pork chops (about 1 1/2 lbs.) 

1/3 cup diced celery 

1/2 cup water 

1/8 tsp. pepper 

2 tbs. brown sugar 

juice 1/2 lemon 

1/2 tsp. salt 

1/2 tsp. dry mustard 

2 cans (8-oz. each) tomato sauce 

Brown chops in fat. Place in shallow baking dish. Combine tomato sauce, water, celery, brown sugar, lemon juice and seasonings; pour over chops. Cover and bake in 350 degrees oven for 1 1/2 hours or until chops are tender.

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MOM'S SUGAR CREAM PIE

This recipe was my late mother's. When my mother passed away, a gentleman came up to me at the visitation and told me she made the best sugar cream pies he had ever eaten.

1 baked pie shell
1/4 cup corn starch (don't skimp!)
1 cup sugar
2 cups milk
1 stick oleo
1 tsp vanilla
cinnamon
nutmeg

Mix together the sugar, cornstarch, and milk. Cook until thick. Remove from heat and add vanilla and oleo. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour into the pie shell and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

 

SALMON-POTATO CHIP CASSEROLE

This is an old recipe cut from a brand of potato chips that were popular in Indiana when I was a kid. The brand was CHESTY and we loved our CHESTY chips. Couldn't believe it when I ran across this 50 to 60 something year old recipe!

1 pkg CHESTY potato chips (I would say a regular family-size bag of today's chips.)
1 can (7-oz) salmon
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup milk
2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced

Break up the potato chips, flake salmon. Alternate layers in a well-greased baking dish, starting and ending with potato chips. Combine the soup and milk and pour over the layers. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until the top is browned. Garnish with the hard-boiled eggs.

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1960S TOMATO ONION & CHEESE CASSEROLE

This is an old recipe I have had since early in my marriage. 

1 lb (4 cups) thinly sliced onion
2 lb (4 med) ripe tomatoes, peeled and sliced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp dried basil
5 slices processed American cheese, cut in half
1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
3 tbsp butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly grease a 1 1/2 to 2-quart casserole dish; set aside.

In a medium saucepan, bring about 1-inch of water to a boil, add onion and cook on medium heat for 10 minutes; drain.

In the prepared casserole dish, layer half the tomatoes then half the onions. Combine the salt, pepper, and basil; sprinkle half over the onions. Top with half the cheese. Repeat with the remaining tomatoes, onions, spices, and cheese.

Toss the breadcrumbs in the melted butter; sprinkle over the top of the casserole.

Bake, uncovered, in a 350-degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes.

Yield: 6 servings

Old-Fashion Family Peach Cobbler

This is an old family favorite from Southern Indiana where I grew up. I have been told it tastes a lot like the one served at Paula Deen's restaurant in Savannah, Georgia.

1/2 stick butter
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
3/4 cup milk
1 large can sliced peaches, drained

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt butter in a deep baking dish in the moderate oven. Combine the sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, and milk in a small mixing bowl. Pour the batter in the dish with the butter but do not stir. Add the sliced peaches. Bake 1 hour.

Note: Some people like to use a whole stick of butter.

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SHOEPEG CORN SALAD

One of my favorite salads since childhood although I can't eat it anymore after several colon surgeries.

1 can shoe peg corn, drained
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 small to medium yellow onion, chopped
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp vinegar
2 tbsp salad oil
1 tbsp sugar*

In a medium bowl mix all the ingredients together well. Cover and refrigerate overnight or all day before serving.

*I am diabetic now and use 1 tbsp Splenda or Stevia granular. Can't even tell the difference.

ONION SOUP DEVILED EGGS

This recipe is from a cookbook that is over 50 years old.

8 hard-boiled eggs
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1 cup soup mixture (see below)
paprika for garnish

Soup Mixture: In a small bowl combine 1 pkg Dry Onion Soup Mix and 2 cups sour cream.
Use 1 cup for this recipe and use the remainder as a dip for chips or fresh cut vegetables. Store leftover mixture in the refrigerator.

Slice the boiled eggs in half lengthwise and scoop the yellows out into a small bowl. Using a fork, mash the yolks. Add the celery, lemon juice and cup of soup mixture to the yolks. Stir to blend together well. Refill the whites by evenly dividing the mixture among them. Sprinkle yolk mixture with paprika to garnish. Chill in the refrigerator before serving.

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ORANGE FLAVORED PARTY PUNCH

This recipe is from a girl I went to school with back in the '50s.

1 qt orange juice
1 qt pineapple juice
1 qt ginger ale
1 qt orange sherbet

Mix the orange and pineapple juices together. Add the ginger ale. Stir in the orange sherbet and serve immediately.

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BAKED HAMBURGERS FOR A CROWD

This is another old recipe from my Southern Indiana heritage.

4 cups catsup
1 cup chopped onion
1 tbsp pepper
1/4 cup vinegar
2 cups tomato juice
1 tbsp garlic powder
1/2 cup prepared mustard
1/4 cup brown sugar
10 lb lean hamburger

Make the hamburger into about 40 quarter pound patties. Brown in skillet but do not cook thoroughly.

In a large saucepan combine the catsup, onion, pepper, vinegar, tomato juice, garlic powder, prepared mustard, and brown sugar. Bring to a boil while stirring occasionally. Add a little water if the mixture gets too thick.

In a large baking dish or pan put a layer of the meat patties over the bottom. Pour some of the sauce over each of the patties. Make another layer of patties, pour sauce over them. Repeat until you have all the patties in the pan and covered with the sauce. Pour any remaining sauce overall. Place in a 325-degree oven and bake about an hour.

Serve on your favorite buns with everyone's favorite condiments.

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EASY BEEF SHORT RIBS

Are you old enough to remember cooking with lard? I am and I still think lard makes the best pie crusts.

3 lb beef short ribs
3 tbsp lard
salt to suit taste
pepper to taste
1 onion, quartered
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tbsp flour
2 tbsp vinegar
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 bay leaf
2 cup water

Melt lard in large saucepan or Dutch oven. Brown meat and drain off excess drippings. Season ribs with salt and pepper. Mix remaining ingredients, except flour, together and pour over ribs; heat to boiling. Cover and simmer for two hours. Remove ribs and thicken sauce with the flour.

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