GARDEN VEGETABLE SALAD

1 head cauliflower

1 large bunch of broccoli
1 can black olives
1 lb fresh white mushrooms
1 lb cherry tomatoes
1 small red onion, sliced into thin rings
salt to taste, optional

Cut or break cauliflower and broccoli into bite size pieces; place into a salad bowl. Slice the mushrooms into the bowl. Drain the black olives well and add to the bowl. Cut the tomatoes into halves and add to the bowl. Add the onion rings and salt, if desired. Mix vegetables together well. Add your favorite dressing (I prefer Italian) and toss before serving.

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HOOSIER PERSIMMON BREAD

3 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder
2 cups persimmon pulp
2 eggs
1 tsp cinnamon
2 cups sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tsp soda
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup raisins
1 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 cup vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two loaf pans; set aside.

Sift the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and soda into a bowl. Stir in the sugar. Stir the persimmon pulp and eggs into the mixture. Add the oil and mix well. Stir in the nuts and raisins. Pour into the prepared loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for about 55 minutes. The bread is done when a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

 

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JEAN'S ZUCCHINI-BANANA BREAD

This recipe is from an old church cookbook from the Midwest.

2 eggs
1 cup oil
2 cups sugar
2 cups zucchini, peeled and grated
1 banana, mashed
1/2 cup nuts
1 tsp salt
3 cups flour
1 tsp soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
3 tsp vanilla
3 tsp cinnamon

In a large mixing bowl, mix together the eggs, oil, sugar, zucchini, and banana. Add the salt, flour, soda, baking powder, and cinnamon; mix in well. Stir in the vanilla and nuts. Bake in two greased and floured loaf pans for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

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ABBOTT HIGH'S MEXICAN PECAN CANDY

This recipe was used in home economics classes in Texas during the 1950s. Willie Nelson came from Abbott, TX.

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
3 tbsp light corn syrup
1/2 cup evaporated milk
5 large marshmallows
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup pecan pieces

Place the granulated and brown sugars, corn syrup, and evaporated milk in a heavy bottomed 3-quart saucepan. Stir to blend. If available, clamp a candy thermometer onto the side of the pan. Do not let it touch the bottom of the pan. Cook the mixture over medium heat until the syrup reaches 238 degrees on the thermometer, the soft ball stage. If a candy thermometer is not available, have ready a small cup filled with ice water. They syrup is ready when a few drops of the syrup dropped into the water forms a ball which flattens out when picked up with the fingers. Replace the water for each test. Remove the syrup from the heat. Stir in the marshmallows. Add the remaining ingredients, beating until almost cool. Drop by tablespoons onto waxed paper to cool and set.

  

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NOODLES ROMANOFF

This old recipe is from Southern Indiana.

8 oz noodles, cooked according to pkg directions, drained
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup flour
1 cup milk
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 lb cottage cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup corn flake crumbs

Over low heat melt butter. Stir in flour. Stir in milk and cook until mixture just begins to boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the garlic powder, onion, sour cream, and cottage cheese. Place noodles in a 1 1/2-quart buttered casserole dish. Stir in white sauce mixture. Top with the Parmesan cheese and corn flake crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

 

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APPLESAUCE BROWNIES WITH APPLE FLUFF TOPPING

This recipe is older than my children who have blessed me with 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.. 

1 pkg (22-oz) walnut brownie mix
2/3 cup no-sugar-added applesauce
3 eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease a 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan; set aside. (Today I use nonstick cooking spray.)

Mix the brownie mix, applesauce and eggs together until blended. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Cut into 20 squares. Top with Apple Fluff (below):
1/2 cup chilled whipping cream
2 tbsp confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup applesauce
1/4 tsp cinnamon

In a chilled bowl, with chilled beaters, beat the whipping cream and confectioners' sugar together until fluffy. Fold in the applesauce and cinnamon. Use to top the brownies. Sprinkle fluff with a dash of cinnamon, if desired.

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POTATO CHIP FRIED CHICKEN

1 large frying chicken, cut-up

2 sticks butter or margarine
1 large package potato chips

Melt butter in a shallow dish. Crush the potato chips into fine crumbs. Dip each piece of chicken into the melted butter then roll in the potato chip crumbs. Place on a cookie sheet and bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for one hour and twenty minutes. Bake uncovered.

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CHINESE NOODLE HAMBURGER CASSEROLE

1/4 cup butter

1 lb extra lean hamburger
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 can condensed tomato soup
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 can Chinese noodles

Brown meat, onions, celery and bell pepper in a skillet in the butter. Add the soups and simmer for 30 minutes. Add Chinese noodles and mix well. Pour into a lightly buttered casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

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PINEAPPLE ORANGE SQUARES

 This is an old recipe from Kraft Foods. I do not have a photo.

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup coconut
1/3 cup butter, melted
2 tbsp brown sugar
1-quart vanilla ice cream
8-oz cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1 can (8 1/4-oz) crushed pineapple, drained
Pineapple slices, optional

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, coconut, butter and brown sugar. Spread the mixture evenly in an 8 x 8-inch square baking pan or dish. Press onto the bottom of the pan to form a firm, even crust. Bake at 325 degrees for about 20 minutes or until golden. Cool.

While crust bakes, stir ice cream to soften. Beat cream cheese and orange juice concentrate until fluffy. Add ice cream by spoonfuls, beating until smooth after each addition. Stir in the crushed pineapple. Spoon mixture into the prepared crust. Freeze for 8 hours or overnight. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with pineapple slices, if desired.

Yields 9 squares

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CRISPY COUNTRY CHICKEN

This is an old recipe from a grocery store flyer.

1/2 cup mayo type salad dressing
1 tsp dried oregano
1 broiler-fryer (3 to 3 1/2 lbs), cut-up
1 cup crushed corn flakes cereal
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Mix salad dressing and oregano is a small bowl; brush the chicken with the mixture.

Mix the corn flake crumbs, cheese, garlic salt and pepper. Coat the chicken with the cereal mixture. Place chicken in a very lightly greased 9 x 13-inch baking pan or dish.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until the chicken is cooked through.

Modern version: Substitute about 2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts halves for the broiler-fryer. Bake only about 30 to 35 minutes.

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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. I made it several times for work luncheons before my retirement. 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.

This cake is especially good served warm.

My family cookbook

PINEAPPLE CRUMBLE BARS

1 full cup lard or shortening

1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
1 tsp baking soda
Filling:
1 can crushed pineapple
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix the lard, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla with a spoon. Then add 2 cups of flour and 1 1/2 cups quick cook oats and 1 teaspoon soda. Mix with fingers.

To make the filling: Heat crushed pineapple, starch, and sugar in a saucepan until thick and clear, about 5 minutes. Press half of the dough mixture onto a cookie sheet that has sides, using your fingers. Spread the hot pineapple mixture over the top of the dough. Crumble the rest of the dough mixture over the top of the pineapple and bake until light brown, 20 minutes.

Serves 24

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CHINESE STYLE TUNA CASSEROLE

I've had this recipe for many years. I don't know where I got it.

1 can (6 1/2-oz) chunk-style, drained, flaked
1 can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1/4 cup water
1 pkg (10-oz) frozen peas
1 can (3-oz) chow mein noodles
1 tomato, diced
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup sliced green onion
1/4 cup salted cashews for garnish

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Empty tuna fish into a mixing bowl. Blend soup and water together and add to the tuna. Add the peas, 1 cup of the chow mein noodles, tomato, celery, and green onion. Toss lightly to mix well. Pour mixture into a buttered 1 1/2-quart casserole dish and pour remaining noodles over the top. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through. Garnish with the cashews.

Yield: 4 servings.

NOTE: You may substitute canned chicken for the tuna, if you prefer.

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MIZ TAYLOR'S PIZZA CASSEROLE

1 lb ground beef

1/8 lb pepperoni
1 can pizza sauce with cheese
1 small pkg shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
4 oz egg noodles, cooked in salted water until tender
1 small onion, chopped

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Brown ground beef with onion and drain. Grease a 2-quart casserole dish and put meat and onion in dish. Stir the noodles, pepperoni, and pizza sauce together; add to the meat and onion mixture in dish. Stir to blend. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until bubbly and cheese is melted, about 20-25 minutes.

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MILK PIE PASTRY

This recipe is so old I don't even remember where I got it.

3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup firmly packed lard
1/2 cup cold milk

Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl. Cut in the lard until the mixture resembles coarse corn meal. Sprinkle milk evenly over the top while tossing the mixture with a fork. Toss until the mixture holds together. Use about 2/3s of the pastry in the bottom of the pie pan to hold filling. Use the remaining third of the pastry for the top crust.

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POPPY SEED BREAD

This recipe is from an old childhood acquaintance. I have not tried it myself since I am diabetic. I do plan to make myself a diabetic version.

1 box yellow cake mix
1 box instant coconut pudding and pie filling mix
4 eggs
1 cup water
1/2 cup oil
1 box poppy seeds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients together and pour into 2 greased and lightly floured loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes.

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LEMON COCONUT BARS

1 1/2 cups unsifted flour

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
3/4 cup cold butter
4 eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup lemon juice
3/4 cup flaked coconut

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl, combine flour and confectioners' sugar; cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Press onto the bottom of a lightly greased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

In a large bowl, mix eggs, granulated sugar, baking powder, and lemon juice. Pour mixture over the crust and top with the coconut. Bake 20 minutes or until golden. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars and keep stored in refrigerator.

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BAKED POTATO SALAD CASSEROLE

This is an old church cookbook recipe.

8 to 10 potatoes
1 large onion
8-oz Cheddar cheese, shredded
1 jar Imitation bacon bits
1 cup salad dressing (mayo style)
1 cup milk
slices of Velveeta cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Boil potatoes in enough salted water to cover. Boil for 10 minutes; peel potatoes and dice. In a large bowl, mix together the chopped onion, Cheddar cheese, 1/2 of the imitation bacon bits, the salad dressing and milk. Add potatoes to the mixture and fold in. Butter a 13 x 9-inch baking pan and pour potato mixture into the pan. Top with the Velveeta cheese and sprinkle the remaining bacon bits over the top. Bake at 350 degrees for about an hour.

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MISS CINDY'S LENTIL SOUP

2 1/2 cups lentils

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped celery with leaves

1/2 cup carrots, chopped

1/4 tsp thyme

1 clove garlic, minced

1 bay leaf

1 tsp sugar

dash of hot pepper sauce

Ham hocks

In a large saucepan or a Dutch oven, combine the lentils with ham hocks and enough water to cover by an inch or so. Cook for 3 hours.

To the lentils add the onion, celery, carrots, garlic, bay leaf, sugar, thyme and hot sauce. Cook for another half hour.

Put the soup through a colander. Chill and remove the grease. To serve, reheat the soup. Take ham off the bones and add back into the soup. If you want to thicken the soup, put 2 tablespoons flour into a small amount of the soup and whisk together. Stir mixture back into the soup and blend well while heating.

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BAKED PEARS

5 pears, cored and peeled

2 tbsp chopped pecans
2 tbsp raisins
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup honey
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp cinnamon

Cut pears in half and place in greased baking dish, cut side up. Sprinkle pecans and raisins over pears. Combine water, honey, and lemon juice together in saucepan and bring to a boil. Pour over pears and sprinkle cinnamon over top. Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Baste often.

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MS. DUNCAN'S OATMEAL PIE

This recipe is from an old Pentecostal Church Cookbook.

3/4 cup oats
2 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup white corn syrup
1 stick margarine, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup pecans, optional
1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell

Mix the oats and sugar together in a medium mixing bowl. Add the eggs, corn syrup, margarine, and vanilla. Mix together well. Stir in pecans, if using. Pour mixture into the unbaked pie shell. Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

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GERALDINE'S FUDGE COOKIES

This is an old Southern Indiana recipe.

1 cup flour
4 tbsp cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup butter, melted

In a mixing bowl, mix the flour, cocoa, and sugar together. Stir in the eggs, vanilla, and butter. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto lightly greased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.

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DRIED BEEF CHEESE BALL

This recipe is from an old Indiana church.

2 (8-oz each) pkgs cream cheese, softened
2 small pkgs dried beef, chopped
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp onion flakes
dash garlic flakes
2 tbsp milk

Mix cream cheese, onion flakes, garlic flakes, Worcestershire sauce, milk and then 1 1/2 of the packages of beef. Mix everything together well and form into a ball. Roll the ball in the remaining beef.

Serve with an assortment of crackers.

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GERMAN CHOCOLATE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

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This recipe is an old newspaper clipping I found in my box of old recipes from my late mom's collection.

 

HOT WATER PIE CRUST

An old Indiana recipe.

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup lard (softened to room temperature)
1/2 cup boiling water
1 tsp salt

Mix all ingredients together with a spoon. Rut into refrigerator until cool. Roll out to make 3 single pie crusts. May be kept in freezer until needed.

 

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CALIFORNIA FRESH APPLE CAKE

This old recipe is from West Covina, California.

4 cups coarsely diced apples
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup cooking oil
1 cup chopped nuts
2 eggs, well beaten
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix apples and sugar thoroughly. Add the oil, nuts, eggs, and vanilla. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; add to the apple mixture. Combine mixture well. Pour mixture into a greased 9x13x2-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until cake shrinks from the edge of the pan. Decrease heat to 250 degrees if you use a glass pan.

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CROCKPOT CHILI CHEESE DIP

This recipe is from an old church in Southern Indiana.

1 lb hamburger
8-oz can green chilies
1 tsp chili powder
1 lb Velveeta cheese
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Cut cheese into small pieces. Brown hamburger in a skillet and drain well. Put all ingredients together in a crock-pot, stir to blend and cook for at least an hour. If dip seems too thin, make a paste of 2 tablespoons flour whisked into 3 tbsp water. Add to the dip and whisk to blend.

 My first crock-pot was like this except mine was orange.

My dad got my mom, my sister, and myself all one alike.

MY MOM'S BUTTERSCOTCH PIE

This recipe is from my late mother.

1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 cup water
3 eggs, separated
4 tbsp flour
1 cup milk
4 tbsp butter
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1 baked 9-inch pie shell

In a saucepan add the water to the brown sugar; bring to a boil to make a syrup.

In a bowl, add the egg yolks and mix to break up; stir in the flour and add milk gradually, stirring to prevent lumping. Add the egg mixture to the syrup and bring to a boil, stirring frequently until thickened. Remove from the heat and add butter, vanilla, and salt. Pour into the baked pie shell. Top with your favorite meringue or whipped cream, if desired.

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