APRICOT CHEESECAKE

1 can (30 oz.) apricot halves, drained, reserve syrup
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
2 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1 can Eagle Brand milk
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 (4 1/2 oz.) whipped topping

Combine 1/2 cup syrup and gelatin. Stir over low heat until dissolved. Blend apricots in blender. Combine apricots and gelatin mixture. Beat cheese, milk and lemon juice. Stir in apricot mixture. Fold in whipped topping. Pour into graham cracker crust

Homemade Apple Sauce

8 McIntosh or Rome Beauty apples (about 8 cups), peeled and chopped
3 cups water
2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 Tbsp ground cinnamon

Place chopped apples in a deep pot. Add water, sugar, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil for 10 minutes, or until the apples begin to break down. Lower to a simmer and cook 15-20 minutes, or until the apples are completely soft. Stir well with a spoon until a thick sauce forms.

Leave a few lumps and bumps in it or puree it in a blender for a smooth finish. Make sure to let it cool first before pouring it the blender! Otherwise it will blow the cover off. Not that it has happened to me.

Let the sauce cool before serving.

Posted on Serious Eats.
Posted by Susan from Food Blogg

Sausage Gravy

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound sausage
1/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 cups milk
Salt and black pepper to taste
8 prepared biscuits

DIRECTIONS:
1. Crumble and cook sausage in large skillet over medium heat until browned. Stir in flour until dissolved. Gradually stir in milk. Cook gravy until thick and bubbly. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot over biscuits. Refrigerate leftovers.

Baked Beans

Ingredients

- 1 lg can pork n beans
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
salt & pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup catsup
- 1-1/2 teaspoon vinegar
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 lb bacon, cut in small cubes


Preparation

To beans add (cooked chopped onions and bacon )

Put all the other ingredients in a bowl. Mix them, then add about one quart boiling water. Mix well, then pour this mixture over the beans. Add enough boiling water to cover the beans by 1/2".

Cover the dish with a lid or foil, sealing the edges well. Bake at 250° F for about 7 hours. (You may bake at 300° F for 6 hours.)

While the beans are baking, check them every 2 hours to make sure the liquid is not below 1/2" from the top of the beans. If lower, add more boiling water to bring the liquid level to 1/2". Do not add more liquid for the final 2 hours of cooking.

Serve with franks and freshly baked bread.

Cracker Barrel Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients

5-1/2 lbs (2.5 kg). sweet potatoes, boiled tender, skinned
8 oz (224 grm). margarine
1/4 cup (60 ml) orange juice concentrate
8 oz (224 grm). brown sugar
1 tbsp (15 ml) grated orange rind

Topping:

2 oz (56 grm). margarine
7 oz (196 grm). brown sugar
2 oz (56 grm). milk
4 oz (112 grm). pecan pieces

Preparation

Put potatoes in mixer and add 8 oz (224 grm). margarine, orange juice concentrate, brown sugar, and orange rind.
Blend well.
Put into large greased casserole dish.
Into a saucepan put topping ingredients.
Bring to boil stirring constantly till thickened.
Pour over sweet potatoes in casserole.
Bake at 400 degrees (200 C.) for 20 to 30 minutes.

RUMAKI

Ingredients

2 cans water chestnuts drained whole or sliced
1 lb (.5 kg) bacon
1 c brown sugar
toothpicks
Marinade:
1/4 c oil
1/4 c soy sauce
2 T catsup
1 T vinegar
1/4 t vinegar
2 cloves crushed garlic

Preparation

Pre heat oven to 400 degrees (200 C.) F.
Cut whole water Chestnuts in half.
Put chestnuts in marinade for about 30 minutes.
Cut the bacon strips in half & then take 1 half or 2 sliced chestnuts & roll bacon around, secure with toothpick & roll in brown sugar.
Bake* for about 20 min turning occassonaly.
*bake on foil wrapped deep cookie sheet.
For best results place on cooling rack while baking these are pretty fatty & delicious

Mamie Eisenhower's Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

2/3 cup (150 ml) cocoa
1/2 cup (125 ml) boiling water
2-1/2 cups (600 ml) sifted cake flour
1-1/4 tsp (6 ml) baking powder
1 tsp (5 ml) baking soda
1/4 tsp (1 ml) salt
1/2 cup (125 ml) butter
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
2 cups (475 ml) sugar
3 egg yolks
1 cup (225 ml) sour milk (See Note)
3 egg whites, beaten to stiff, not dry,peaks

Seven-Minute Frosting:

1-1/2 cups (350 ml) sugar
1/3 cup (80 ml) water
2 egg whites
1 tbsp (15 ml) light corn syrup
1/8 tsp (1 ml) salt
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
3 oz (84 grm). unsweetened chocolate (optional)

Preparation

Mix cocoa and water together; set aside to cool.
Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together; set aside.
Cream butter with vanilla; gradually add sugar creaming thoroughly. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating throughly after each addition. Add cocoa mixture and beat until well blended.
Beating only until blended after each addition, alternately add dry ingredients in thirds and sour milk in halves to cream mixture.
Fold in beaten egg whites.
Turn batter into 2 prepared 9-inch layer cake pans and spread evenly to edges.
Bake at 375 degrees (200 C.) 25 to 30 minutes, or until cake tests done.
Cool in pan on a wire rack about 10 minutes.
Then run spatula gently around sides of pan.
Cover cake with wire rack and invert.
Lift off pan and immediately turn cake right side up on wire rack.
Cool completely.
Fill and frost with frosting below.

Seven-Minute Frosting:

Combine all ingredients except vanilla in the top of a double boiler; beat with hand rotary or electic beater until blended.
Place over boiling water; beat constantly until mixture will hold peaks.
Remove from water; add vanilla.
Beat until cool and thick enough to spread.

For Seven- Minute Chocolate Frosting: Melt 3 ounces (3 squares) unsweetened chocolate and set aside to cool. Follow recipe above; blend in chocolate when mixture holds peaks.

Comments
Note: Add 2 T. vinegar or lemon juice to 1 pint milk. Allow to stand at room temperture 30 minutes, then return to refrigerator.

Source:
American Family Cookbook (Culinary Arts Institute)

Apricot Delight

Ingredients:

2 cans (5-1/2 ounces each) apricot nectar, divided
1 package (.3 ounces) sugar-free orange gelatin
1 package (1 ounce) sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix
2/3 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1 carton (8 ounces) frozen reduced-fat whipped topping, thawed
1 loaf (5 ounces) angel food cake, cubed
1 can (15 ounces) reduced-sugar apricot halves, drained and sliced

Directions:

In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave 1 cup apricot nectar on high for 50-60 seconds or until hot. Sprinkle gelatin over hot nectar; stir until gelatin is completely dissolved, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.
In a large bowl, combine remaining apricot nectar and enough water to measure 1-1/4 cups; whisk in pudding mix and milk powder for 1-2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Whisk in cooled gelatin; fold in whipped topping and cake.
Pour into an 11-in. x 7-in. x 2-in. dish. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours. Garnish with apricot slices. Yield: 8 servings

RECIPE FROM: Light & Tasty mAGAZINE

Apple Coffee Cake

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 medium apple, peeled and thinly sliced

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and 1 cup sugar until light and
fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in
vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to the
creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, beating well after each
addition. In a small bowl, combine the nuts, cinnamon and remaining sugar,.
Spread half of the batter into a well-greased 10-inch tube pan with
removable bottom. Top with apple slices; sprinkle with half of the nut
mixture. Top with remaining batter and nut mixture. Bake at 375° for 40 to
50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
Cool in pan for 30 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to
loosen. Lift cake with removable bottom from pan. Cool completely. Before
serving, carefully remove cake from pan bottom.


Recipe from Taste of Home's Magazine
Submitted by Oriana Churchill,
Londonderry, New Hampshire.

Oven Barbecued Chicken

3/4 cup catsup
1/4 cup vinegar
2 tablespoons instant onions
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 cup water
4 chicken breasts
Combine above ingredients. Simmer 10 minutes. In a 9x13 inch Pyrex dish, arrange chicken skin side up. Pour sauce over chicken. Bake at 350° for 60 minutes. Baste midway. Nana's Tip: Skinless, boneless chicken breasts will work for this recipe. If you use skinless chicken, add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil. Use less vinegar to suit your tastes.

As an alternative, substitute 1/4 cup of white wine for the 1/4 cup of vinegar

Recipe from: Nana's Kitchen

Oven Fried Fish

Weight Watcher Points – 2 points*
Makes 6 servings

1/2 cup crushed corn flakes
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon paprika
Dash of pepper
1 pound catfish or other fish fillets
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon skim milk
Vegetable cooking spray

Combine corn flakes, celery salt, onion powder, paprika and pepper in a shallow dish. Dip fillets in milk' dredge with cereal mixture. Place fillets in a baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees or until fish is lightly browned and flakes easily when tested with a fork.

Chocolate Fudge

4 1/2 cups of sugar
1 large can of canned milk
3 packages (6 oz. each) chocolate chips
1/2 lb. of butter or margarine
2 heaping tablespoons marshmallow cream
2 cups of chopped nuts
2 teaspoons of vanilla
one pinch of salt
In a large pan mix 4 1/2 cups of sugar, 1 large can of canned milk. Bring to a full boil. Boil 6 1/2 minutes, stir to keep from scorching.

Quickly add to above mixture, 3 (6 ounce) packages chocolate chips, 1/2 pound butter or margarine (cut into pieces), 2 heaping tablespoons marshmallow cream.

Mix until all chocolate chips and butter is melted, and the marshmallow cream disappears. Add 2 cups chopped walnuts, 2 teaspoons vanilla and a pinch of salt.

Spread into a 9x13 or 10x14 buttered pan. (If you prefer a thicker piece of fudge use the 9x13 pan.) Cool in refrigerator. Allow to stand at room temperature after cooling for 15 to 20 minutes before cutting into bite size squares.

Nana's Tip: Some folks have reported that their fudge did not fully thicken. I think that today's chocolate chips are not of the same consistency as chips made in 1943 -- when the recipe was created. Try adding an extra six ounces of chips, that should solve the problem. My Motto: More chocolate is always better!

RECIPE FROM: Nana's Kitchen

Rocky Road Candy

2 tablespoons butter
2 packages (6 oz.) chocolate chips
1 can Eagle Brand milk (or equivalent condensed milk)
2 cups chopped nuts
1 package (10 oz.) miniature marshmallows
In a very large bowl or eight quart pan, mix nuts and marshmallows, set aside. In a separate pan melt chocolate chips, butter and milk over low heat. Pour over nuts and marshmallow mixture. Mix thoroughly.

Line a 9x13 pan with waxed paper. Place Rocky Road mixture into pan and press evenly. Allow to cool, cut into bite size pieces.

From the kitchen of Margaret (Perry) Rupnow
NAN'S KITCHEN

Tuna Melt

1 (6 ounce) can white albacore tuna packed in water (drained)
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
2 teaspoons sweet pickle relish
2 tablespoons chopped dried onions or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped onions
1 medium stalk celery and 1/4 bell pepper finely chopped together, to make 1/2 cup
2 English muffins cut and lightly toasted
4 slices of any kind of cheese or 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
Pre-heat oven to 400°. Mix tuna with all ingredients. Spread tuna mixture evenly on to lightly toasted muffins.

Place tuna-topped muffins in an 11x7 inch baking dish. Heat in oven for 10 -15 minutes. Remove from oven, top with your choice of cheese.

Increase oven temperature to broil. When broiling heat is achieved, place muffins under broiler on middle rack for about 1 and

Cherry Crunch

1 can cherry pie filling
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 pkg. white cake mix.
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup melted butter
Preheat oven to 350°. Spread pie filling in bottom of a 8 or 9 inch square pan. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Combine dry cake mix, nuts and butter. Sprinkle over pie filling. Bake for 40-50 minutes until golden brown. Serve with ice cream.

"Recipes for Moms from Moms," Hillside Covenant Church, Walnut Creek, CA.

Peanut Butter Crunch

2 cups (12 oz) Nestle Toll House Morsels (or equivalent chocolate chips)
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup powdered sugar
3 cups toasted rice cereal
Heat morsels and peanut butter in small, heavy-duty sauce pan over low heat, stir constantly until smooth. Remove from heat. Add sugar, stir vigorously until smooth.
Place cereal in large bowl. Add one cup melted chocolate mixture; stir until evenly coated. Place on an ungreased baking sheet.

Using a small metal spatula, shape into a 10 inch circle with slightly raised 1-inch border around edge. Pour remaining melted chocolate mixture in center of circle; spread to 1 inch from the edge. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm. Makes 12-16 servings

RECIPE FROM: Nana's Recipes

PEANUT BUTTER CRUNCH

Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch

2 cups (12 oz) Nestle Toll House Morsels (or equivalent chocolate chips)
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup powdered sugar
3 cups toasted rice cereal
Heat morsels and peanut butter in small, heavy-duty sauce pan over low heat, stir constantly until smooth. Remove from heat. Add sugar, stir vigorously until smooth.
Place cereal in large bowl. Add one cup melted chocolate mixture; stir until evenly coated. Place on an ungreased baking sheet.

Using a small metal spatula, shape into a 10 inch circle with slightly raised 1-inch border around edge. Pour remaining melted chocolate mixture in center of circle; spread to 1 inch from the edge. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm. Makes 12-16 servings

RECIPE FROM: Nana's Kitchen

Kentucky Pecan Pie

1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup dark brown sugar (packed)
1/3 teaspoon salt.
1/3 cup butter or margarine (melted)
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 slightly beaten eggs
1 cup pecans
1 unbaked 9 inch pie shell

Mix first five ingredients, add eggs mix well. Pour mixture into unbaked pie shell. Add pecans on top of pie.

Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Reduce temperature to 325° bake for 35 minutes more or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Lime Parfait Pie

2 (3 ounce pkg.) of lime Jell-O (or equivalent flavored gelatin)
2 cups boiling water
1 teaspoon shredded lime peel.
1/3 cup lime juice
1 quart vanilla ice cream (softened)
1 (9 to 10 inch) baked pastry shell (cooled)
Dissolve Jell-O in boiling water until all crystals disappear. Stir in peel and lime juice.

Add softened ice cream by spoonfuls stirring until melted. Chill in bowl till mixture mounds slightly when spooned. Pour into cooled pastry shell.

Chill until firm. Top with whipped cream. Nana's Tip: If ice cream is frozen firm, place into a suitable size bowl. Microwave to slightly melt ice cream.

Adapted from a Better Homes and Gardens recipe.

Lemon Pie (Double Layer)

1 prepared 9 inch graham cracker crumb crust
1/3 cup raspberry or apricot jam
4 ounces (1/2 of a 8 oz. package) Cream Cheese (softened)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tub (8 oz) Cool Whip (thawed) (or equivalent whipped dessert topping)
1 1/2 cups cold milk or half-and-half
2 packages (4-serving size each) Jell-O Lemon Flavored Instant Pudding and Pie Filling
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
Spread bottom of crust gently with jam. With a wire whisk, mix cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl until smooth. Gently stir in 1/2 (4 ounces) of whipped topping. Spread on top of jam.

Pour milk into a large bowl. Add pudding mixes and lemon peel. Beat with wire whisk 1 minute or until blended. (Mixture will be thick.) Gently stir in remaining whipped topping. Spread over cream cheese layer.

Refrigerate 4 hours or until set. Garnish with additional whipped topping, if desired. Store leftover pie, covered, in refrigerator. Serves 8.


From the Kitchen of Norma Welton
plus family & friends

Cherry Nut Bread

2 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
½ cup cherry juice
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 cup chopped maraschino cherries
½ tsp salt
½ cup nuts, chopped

Mix in order of the list / bake in 350º oven for about 40 minutes or so. I like to put the batter in the small loaf pans (1/4 size of normal bread pan) to make individual breads for gifts.

RECIPE FROM: Countrylife.net

Sesame Chicken

1 chicken, cut up
1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon onion salt
1/2 teaspoon lemon and pepper seasoning
1/2 teaspoon paprika
4 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup sesame seeds, lightly toasted


1. In a shallow dish, mix together flour, 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt, onion salt, lemon-pepper seasoning and paprika.

2. In another shallow dish, mix together butter, oil and remaining garlic salt and pepper.

3. In a third dish, place the sesame seeds.

4. Roll each piece of chicken first in the flour mixture, then in the butter mixture, then in the sesame seeds. Place the chicken on a greased shallow baking pan.

5. Bake at 350 degrees F, turning once, for about 1 hour or until a fork can be inserted in chicken with ease

Cranberry Orange Cookies

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
3/4 cup powdered sugar
3 tbsps milk
2 tsps pure orange extract
1 tsp orange rind, freshly grated
1 1/2 cups cranberries, chopped

Combine dry ingredients. Cream sugar and shorteningtogether until light and fluffy.

Add milk, orange extract and grated orange rind. Gradually add dry ingredients.

Fold in cranberries. Form dough into 2 logs, each about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap in waxed paper and chill for at least 8 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Farenheit and lightly grease cookie sheets.
Slice logs into 1/4-inch thick slices and bake for 12-15 minutes.

BEEF STEW

Ingredients

2 pounds meaty beef stew
6 cups water
lipton Onion Soup Mix
5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
5 medium carrots, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced, optional
1 bay leaf, optional
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup cold water
Salt to taste

Directions

Place stew beef in pot, slowly bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2 hours.

Set beef aside until cool enough to handle. Add the Lipton Onion Soup Mix, potatoes, carrots, onion, salt, pepper, garlic and bay leaf if desired. Cover and simmer for 50-60 minutes or until vegetables and barley are tender.

Discard bay leaf. Combine cornstarch and cold water until smooth; stir into stew. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

THIS CAN ALSO BE COOKED IN A CROCKPOT.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

3 cups water
1 cup milk
1 package (7.6 ounces) roasted garlic instant mashed potatoes
4 ounces cream cheese, cubed
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Mexican blend cheese

Directions:
In a large saucepan, bring water and milk to a rolling boil. Remove from the heat. Add the contents of both envelopes from the potato package. Let stand for 1 minute; whip with a fork.
Place the cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl; cover and heat at 70% power for 30 seconds or until softened. Stir into the potatoes. Transfer to a greased 1-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Broil 4 in. from the heat for 3-4 minutes or until cheese is melted. Yield: 6 servings.

Recipe from: Quick Cooking Magazine