MS AGATHA'S CREAM PUFFS

This is an old Hoosier recipe.

Puffs:
1/4 cup shortening
1/2 cup boiling water
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs

Filling:
1 cup milk
4 tbsp flour
6 tbsp sugar
1 egg
few grains salt
1/4 tsp vanilla or other flavoring of your choice

To make the puffs: Combine the shortening and boiling water and continue to boil until the shortening melts. Add the flour and beat until mixture is smooth and thick and leaves the side of the pan. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat well after each addition. The mixture should be a thick, heavy dough. Arrange on an oiled cookie sheet or shallow baking pan small rounds of dough, at least 3-inches apart.

Bake in a moderate oven (350 degrees) for 40 minutes or until the cream puffs are puffed up and brown all over. Cut just enough to fill with the cream filling.

To make the filling: In a saucepan combine the milk and sugar. Add the flour and whisk until smooth. Add the salt, then stir in the egg. Cook the mixture over low heat until thickened. Remove from heat, add the vanilla or other flavoring; stir to blend. Use to fill the puffs.

file photo for reference

PEAS FOR GUESTS

This recipe is from an old church cookbook.

1 large pkg frozen peas
1 jar mushrooms stems and pieces
1 jar baby onions
3 tbsp butter

Prepare the peas as directed on the package and drain. Sauté onions and mushrooms in butter. Add the drained peas to the onions and mushrooms. Stir gently to blend.

 

file photo for reference only - not this exact recipe

GRAPEFRUIT SALAD WITH CELERY SEED DRESSING

This is another old Hoosier recipe.

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp paprika
3 tbsp honey
3 tbsp cider vinegar
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp celery seeds
1 cup thinly sliced celery
1 cup chopped celery leaves
1 grapefruit, peeled, sectioned, seeded
2 bananas, sliced (optional)
1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

In a blender contain combine the vegetable oil, sugar, mustard, paprika, honey, vinegar, and lemon juice. Process about half a minute. Stir in the celery seeds. In a bowl combine the celery, celery leaves, grapefruit, bananas, and 1/2 cup of the dressing from the blender. Stir all together very gently. Spoon the mixture into a large salad bowl; sprinkle with the nuts. Serve with the remaining dressing.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

 File photo for reference

NO COOK STRAWBERRY JAM

2 cups fully ripe, completely crushed fresh strawberries

1 box Sure-Jell
3/4 cup water
4 cups sugar

Mix the sugar into the crushed strawberries; let stand 10 minutes. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Mix the Sure-Jell and water together in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute. Stir the Sure-Jell into the strawberry mixture. Stir for 3 minutes. Ladle the mixture into freezer containers, cover with lids and let set at room temperature for 24 hours. Store in freezer. This is good as a jam and also as a topping for ice cream.

 

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STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE DESSERT BARS

1 box strawberry cake mix with pudding

1 cup chopped toasted pecans
1 1/2 sticks butter, melted
2 pkgs (8-oz each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup strawberry jam

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the cake mix and pecans in a medium mixing bowl.  Drizzle the butter over the mixture and stir until combined well.  Press the mixture over the bottom of a lightly greased 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking pan.

In a medium to large mixer bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth; spread over the crust.

Process jam in a food processor or blender until smooth.  Pipe the jam across the filling lengthwise approximately 1-inch apart.  Using a butter knife, cut through jam gently, moving knife slightly side to side cutting through the filling mixture going crosswise on the filling. This will make almost a squares look.

Bake bars at 350 degrees for 18 to 23 minutes until edges start to brown and the center is set.  Allow to cool in the pan on a wire rack.  Cover and chill for at least 2 hours until firm.

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