OLD FASHION LAYERED CASSEROLE

1/2 cup regular rice, uncooked

1 can whole kernel corn
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
2 cans (8-oz each) cans tomato sauce
3/4 tomato sauce can of water
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
3/4 lb ground beef, crumbled, browned, drained
4 strips bacon, cut in half
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, if desired

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a casserole dish, cover the bottom with the rice and add a layer of corn. Layer the ground beef over the corn; sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Layer the onion then bell pepper over the beef. Pour the tomato sauce and water over all. Layer the bacon over the top. Cover dish and bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour. Uncover and bake another 30 minutes. 10 minutes before end of cooking time, sprinkle with the cheddar cheese, if desired.

clipart

STUFFED PEAR SALAD

18 gingersnaps, crushed

1/2 cup crushed pineapple, well drained
8-oz pkg cream cheese
2 tbsp mayonnaise
8 canned pear halves
8 lettuce leaves
1/2 cup sugar
3 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup orange juice
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup whipping cream, whipped
1/3 cup finely chopped pecans, optional

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the gingersnaps, pineapple, cream cheese, and mayonnaise. Place each pear half on a lettuce leaf on the serving platter. Stuff the pear halves with the gingersnap mixture and chill while preparing the remaining ingredients.

In the top of a double boiler, mix together the sugar, lemon juice, orange juice, and egg. Cook over hot water until thickened. Remove from heat and allow to cool. When the mixture is cooled, mix with the whipped cream. Pour over the stuffed pears before serving. Sprinkle tops with the finely chopped pecans, if desired.

 I did not have a picture of this recipe so used this little cartoon "stuffed" pear.

LIME SHERBET PUNCH

An old recipe from my childhood. This recipe is for large crowds. One recipe of this punch will serve 125 people.

5 lbs sugar
2 gallon water
4 cans (46-oz each) pineapple juice
4 large cans frozen orange juice
4 bottles (2 liters each) ginger ale
1 gallon lime sherbet

In a Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat, dissolve the sugar in the water. Bring mixture to a boil; remove from heat and allow to cool. Add the pineapple juice and orange juice; mix well. Chill punch thoroughly and also keep ginger ale in the refrigerator. Just before serving, stir in the ginger ale and add the sherbet.

 Note: File Photo

SAUSAGE AND ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE

This recipe is from the neighborhood where my school was located. (My elementary, junior high, and high all in one building!)

4 medium zucchini
1/2 lb sausage, crumbled, fried, and drained
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup fine bread crumbs
1/4 cup tomato sauce
1 beaten egg
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp pepper
Parmesan cheese for topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Leave zucchini whole and cook in boiling water for 10 minutes. Remove zucchini from water and allow to cool enough to handle. Cut zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the centers. Combine the sausage, onion, bread crumbs, tomato sauce, egg, salt, pepper, thyme, and oregano. Mix together well and stuff the zucchini with the mixture. Top with as much Parmesan cheese as desired. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

FN photo for reference only

HOMEMADE BUTTER CRUNCH POPCORN

This is an old recipe from my childhood.

1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup corn syrup
3/4 cup sugar
4 cups popped corn
1 cup unsalted peanuts

In a 2-quart heavy-duty saucepan, combine butter, syrup, and sugar. Cook mixture, stirring occasionally, until it comes to a boil. Reduce the high slightly and continue cooking to 260 degrees on a candy thermometer. Put popcorn and nuts in a large glass bowl and stir to mix well. Pour candy mixture over popcorn and nuts; mix well. Butter hands and form mixture into small bite-sized balls.

 This is a file photo for reference.

SWEET AND SOUR CABBAGE

2 lbs red cabbage

1/4 lb margarine
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
4 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Shred cabbage and soak in very cold water for 30 minutes; drain. Place drained cabbage in a large saucepan and add vinegar, onion, salt and pepper. Cover the pan and bring cabbage to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until the cabbage is just tender, stirring often. Add the margarine and sugar, stirring well to melt.

file photo

JEAN'S OLD FASHION CREAM PIE

Jean was a great cook and mother in the area where I grew up in the 1950s.

1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp cinnamon
pinch of salt
1/2 cup half-and-half cream
milk

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

In a medium mixing bowl, mix together the brown sugar, white sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt; gradually add the cream. When mixture is well blended pour into the pie shell. Add enough milk to fill the shell, if necessary. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes then reduce the heat to 350 degrees and bake for another 30 minutes.

Note: To keep crust from becoming too brown, you can cover the crust edges with foil and remove the last 5 to 10 minutes of the baking time.

You can see how much I have used her cookbook, it has lost its cover!

PINEAPPLE-NUT BREAD

This is another old recipe from my childhood.

1 cup pecans, chopped fine
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 tsp lemon peel
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
8.5-oz can crushed pineapple, undrained
1/4 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Butter a 9-inch loaf pan; add 1/4 cup of the pecans and shake around in pan to coat. Lightly sprinkle these nuts with a pinch of sugar. Set pan aside.

In a medium bowl,blend together the butter and lemon peel; beat in sugar and add egg. Sift the flour, baking powder and baking soda into the sugar mixture alternately with the pineapple. Add the milk and mix well. Stir in the remaining nuts and pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.

 Note: File Photo

CHOCOLATE BRICKLE BARS

 This recipe is from an old newspaper clipping.

1 cup butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups flour
1 bag (12-oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 bag Bits O Brickle
1 cup shredded coconut
3/4 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease a 9 x 12-inch glass baking dish; set aside.

In a large bowl, cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together. Add eggs and vanilla to the sugar mixture and mix until fluffy. In a small bowl, combine the salt, baking soda, and flour. Add chocolate chips, Bits O Brickle, coconut, and pecans. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes. Do not over bake! Center of bars will look very soft. Allow to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.  

 I posted the picture below to keep from getting dozens of posts asking, "What is Bits O Brickle"!

HOMEMADE COOKED MAYONNAISE

This is another old recipe from my childhood in Southern Indiana.

2 cups sugar
1 tsp prepared mustard
2 tbsp flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tbsp butter
1 cup vinegar
1 cup boiling water

In a large saucepan, stir together the sugar, salt, pepper, and flour; add mustard. Add the butter and vinegar; stir to moisten. Add 1/4 cup of the boiling water and stir. Turn heat to low and add the eggs. When eggs are mixed in well, slowly add the remaining boiling water and increase the heat to boiling. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Makes one quart of mayonnaise and may be kept in the refrigerator indefinitely.

Note: This is a file photo used for reference only.

HAM LOAF WITH MARMALADE

This is a recipe from one of my mother's PTO friends when I was a kid in school (in the 1950s, but don't tell!) Both this lady and my mother have been gone for years but we still enjoy many of the foods they used to make.

1 1/2 cup herb seasoned stuffing
2 cups milk
1 1/2 lb ground pork
1 1/2 lb ground ham
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 tsp salt

Soak the stuffing in the milk for 5 minutes. Add the ground pork, ground ham, onion and salt. Pack lightly into a loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Spoon off the drippings.

TOPPING:
1 cup orange marmalade
2 tbsp cider vinegar
1 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Combine all topping ingredients in a small bowl until well blended. Spread over the hot ham loaf and return loaf to the oven. Bake another 10 minutes. Let loaf stand for about 10 minutes before cutting.

 Note: File Photo

ZUCCHINI APPETIZERS

This is an old Southern Indiana recipe.

3 cup shredded zucchini
1 cup Bisquick
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp oregano
dash of black pepper
1 clove of garlic, minced
1/2 cup oil
4 eggs, beaten

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Spread mixture in a 9 X 13-inch baking pan that has been lightly greased. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cut into squares then cut each square in half diagonally.

Ready to be cut into triangles

HONEY MUSTARD COLESLAW

This recipe is from an old Southern Indiana newspaper clipping.

4 cups shredded cabbage
1 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1/4 cup cider vinegar
3 tbsp honey mustard
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp poppy seeds
2 tsp sugar
salt to taste
pepper to taste

In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, carrots, and green onions; toss well to mix. In a small bowl, blend the vinegar, honey mustard, mayonnaise, poppy seeds, sugar, salt and pepper. Whisk until smooth. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and season with salt and pepper. Chill several hours before serving.

 

This is a file photo for reference only.

CRANBERRY RELISH MOLD

 This recipe was given to me by my late Aunt Oweedah (Sissy) Butcher who was a very good cook.

1 can (9-oz)  (crushed) pineapple

1 cup fresh ground cranberries

1 pkg (3-oz) cherry Jell-O

1 small unpeeled orange (seeds removed), ground

1/2 cup sugar

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped nuts

Drain pineapple, reserve syrup and add water to make 1/2 cup. Dissolve jello and sugar in 1 cup hot water. Add syrup and lemon juice. Chill until partially set. Add fruits, celery, and nuts. (If you put cranberries, celery and orange in food processor it does better job.) Pour into a 5 cup ring mold and chill overnight. Dip in water and turn out on a plate to serve.

OLD FASHIONED EASY FRUIT PUNCH

1 can (6-oz) frozen orange juice

1 can (9-oz) frozen lemonade
2 pkgs. unsweetened cherry Kool-Aid
1 1/2 cups sugar
10 cups water

Put dry Kool-Aid and sugar into a large bowl. Add 2 cups of the water and stir until the Kool-Aid powder and sugar are melted. Add remaining water, frozen orange juice concentrate and frozen lemonade concentrate. Stir until juices are dissolved. Chill until serving time. Serve in a pretty punch bowl and float thin slices of fresh orange and lemon on the punch, if desired.

Note: File Photo for reference only.

DICED APPLE CAKE WITH SAUCE

This cake was served in the school cafeteria at one of the county schools where I grew up in Southern Indiana. It is very tasty. I put it in the family cookbook I made years ago.

Cake:

2 cups peeled, diced apples

1 cup sugar

1 egg 

1 cup flour

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup chopped nuts

dash of salt

Sauce:

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

2 tbsp flour

1/4 cup butter

1 cup water

1 tsp vanilla

To make cake: mix sugar and apples together and allow to stand until sugar dissolves. Add the egg. Add dry ingredients and nuts. Pour into a greased 8-inch square baking dish. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes.

To prepare topping: Mix all ingredients together and bring to a boil. Pour over the hot cake.

Note: This cake is especially good when served warm.

AMISH CORN BAKE

This is a recipe used by the old order Amish in Indiana for many years.

2 eggs, separated
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups uncooked kernel corn
1/4 tsp black pepper
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup cracker crumbs
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp melted butter
2 tbsp chopped pimento

Note: You could use frozen whole kernel corn.

Beat the egg yolks and combine with the corn, 1/2 tsp salt, black pepper, and milk. Blend well and pour into a buttered 2-quart casserole dish. Beat the egg whites until stiff and gently blend in the sour cream. Fold the sour cream mixture into the corn mixture. Sprinkle the top with the cracker crumbs that have been mixed with the butter. Dot top with the chopped pimento. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.

APRICOT SURPRISE SALAD

This recipe is from an old community cookbook.

2 pkgs (3-oz each) apricot gelatin
2 cups boiling water
2 cups cold water
2 bananas, cut up
1 (#2) can crushed pineapple, well drained
1 cup miniature marshmallows

Add the gelatin to the hot water and stir until gelatin is dissolved. Add the marshmallows to the hot gelatin mixture and stir until the marshmallows are dissolved. Add the cold water, bananas, and crushed pineapple. Stir to blend well. Pour into a 9 x 13-inch dish and refrigerate until firm.

TOPPING:
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup pineapple juice
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 tbsp flour
3-oz cream cheese
2 tbsp butter
1 envelope dessert topping mix

In a medium saucepan, cream together the sugar, butter, and egg; add the flour and pineapple juice. Cook the mixture over low heat until thickened. Remove from heat and add the cream cheese. Allow to cool. Whip the envelope of dessert topping mix according to the package directions; fold into the topping mixture. Spread topping over the gelatin.

Note: File Photo

HOMEMADE SOFT PRETZELS

This recipe is from an old Texas newspaper clipping.

2 pkgs active dry yeast
2 cups warm water
5 to 6 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups enriched cornmeal
2 eggs
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp salt
Coarse salt, optional for garnish
TOPPING:
1 egg, beaten
1 tbsp water

Dissolve yeast in 2 cups water in large mixing bowl. Add 5 cups of the flour, cornmeal, eggs, sugar, and salt. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes; stir in enough additional flour to make the dough stiff.

Shape dough to form a ball and place in a greased large bowl. Turn once to coat the surface of the dough. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until doubled in volume. Punch dough down. Divide dough in half on a lightly floured surface; shape each half to form a ball. Flatten one ball and cut into 16 wedges. Roll each wedge to form an 18-inch long rope; shape to form a pretzel. Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Repeat the process with the second ball of dough.

Combine the topping ingredients and brush over the tops of the pretzels. Sprinkle with coarse salt, if desired. Let rise in warm place for 30 to 45 minutes or until double in size. Bake at 425 degrees for 12 to 13 minutes or until golden brown.

 Note: File Photo