Apple Dumplings

I have given the recipe for pie crust on a previous blog.
Peel, core and slice 5 or 6 apples into a bowl of salted cold water. I always use Golden Delicious. They are my favorite and give a good product.

Roll out pastry a little less than 1/8" thick and about 7 " square.
Take a small handful of the sliced apples and place in middle of square. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Dot with butter. Bring opposite points of pastry up over the apple. Overlap, moisten, and seal. Lift carefully, place a little apart in baking dish. Continue making dumplings until you have amount wanted. You may have to peel more apples and make up more cinnamon and sugar mix.
To fill dumplings: Use 1 cup sugar mixed with 1/2 tsp. cinnamon. Sprinkle about 2 to 3 Tbsp. over apples before wrapping dumpling.

After all dumplings are wrapped, pour boiling syrup over all and bake at 350 degrees for approx. 1 hour.
Syrup:
For 12 dumplings: For 8 dumplings:
3 cups sugar 2 cups sugar
6 cups water 4 cups water
1 stick butter or margarine 6 Tbsp. butter or margarine
3/4 tsp. cinnamon 3/4 tsp. cinnamon

Mix all together and boil for 3 min. Pour over dumplings.

Chocolate Frosting

My sister-in-law gave me this recipe many, many years ago. She just called it Chocolate Frosting, but it has coffee in it. I would probably call it Mocha. I do not drink coffee, as I never learned to like the taste of it, but I absolutely love this frosting. It is wonderful on a chocolate cake.

3 Tbsp. cocoa
3 Tbsp. hot coffee
3 Tbsp. butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
about 2 cups powdered sugar

Laura's Gingerbread

When Becky was still in elementary school, she was given this recipe. This is the Editor's note that came with the recipe. "When we heard that Laura Ingalls Wilder is famous far and wide for her gingerbread, we thought what fun it would be for the thousands of children who love her books to make Laura's Gingerbread for Christmas. Consequently we wrote to Mrs. Wilder and she graciously sent us the recipe and wishes for good luck to all who try it!" Becky and I tried it and it is fabulous. Hot from the oven and with a little whipped cream on it, it is a dessert deluxe.

1 cup brown sugar, blended with
1/2 cup lard or other shortening.
1 cup molasses mixed well with this:
2 tsp. baking soda in 1 cup boiling water(Be sure cup is full of water after foam is run off into cake mixture).
Mix all well.
To 3 cups of flour, have added one tsp. each of the following spices: ginger, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves; and 1/2 tsp. salt. Sift all into cake mixture and mix well.
Add lastly 2 well-beaten eggs.
The mixture should be quite thin.
Bake in a moderate oven for thirty minutes.
Raisins and, or candied fruit may be added and a chocolate frosting add to the goodness.

Mexican Casserole

10 oz. ground turkey
1/2 cup green pepper, diced
1 med. onion, chopped
2 cups canned tomatoes, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
8 oz. jalapeno cheese
1 tsp. garlic, chopped
1 Tbsp. chili powder
2 cups cooked rice
Brown meat in skillet. Add onions and peppers. Simmer 5 min. Add tomatoes, chili powder, salt and pepper. Simmer until liquid is gone. Stir in the rice. Add cheese (saving some for top). Stir until cheese has melted. In 9 x 13 dish, layer 1/2 meat mixture, then rice mix, then rest of meat mixture. Top with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until cheese melts. (15 min.)

Cranberry Salad

This is a recipe my Mom always used when I was a little girl. I just loved it.

1/2 lb. cranberries
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar.
Cook together until cranberries pop.
Push through a sieve
1 pkg. lemon jello dissolved in 1 cup boiling water
1 cup 7-Up
1 cup diced celery
1 cup diced apples
1 cup nuts

Strawberry Salad

Drain No. 2 can crushed pineapple. Use this juice and add enough water to make 2 cups. Heat. Dissolve 2 small pkgs. strawberry jello. Stir in 2 pkgs. 10 oz. frozen strawberries (thawed slightly). Add 3 mashed bananas and the pineapple. Place half of mixture in bowl. Set in refrigerator for about 30 min. Keep remaining half at room temperature. When first half is set, spread carton of sour cream on top. Pour rest of jello on top. Return to refrigerator.

Dream Cookies

These are some of my son, Mark's, favorite cookies. When he was a little boy, he always liked these. I think he still does.

1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup cocoa
1/4 lb. butter
1/4 tsp. salt
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Boil all together in large saucepan. Let come to a full rolling boil. Pour the boiling mixture over 3 cups uncooked oats, mix thoroughly. Add 1 cup coconut and 1/2 cup nuts. Drop by spoonfuls on wax paper.

LaVaughn's Coconut Cream Pie

This is another of my mother's recipes. This one she created herself. It is the best coconut cream I have ever eaten.

2 cups milk
1 cup Milnot
1 cup sugar
6 Tbsp. flour
3 0r 4 eggs, separated
1 Tbsp. margarine
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup coconut
Sprinkle of salt

Mix sugar, salt, and flour. Add a little warm milk, stirring to mix. Then add egg yolks. Add rest of milk and cook over low heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Add margarine, vanilla, and coconut. Pour into baked pie crust. Add meringue.

Meringue:
Egg whites
1/8 tsp. cream of tartar
1/4 cup sugar
Beat until stiff. Spread on pie. Sprinkle coconut on top. Bake at 350 degrees until nicely browned.

Apple Betty

This is a recipe of my Grandma Doubt's. It is delicious and very easy to make. Also, I thought with Fall coming on, it makes me think of apple picking.

12 to 15 apples, peeled and sliced
Put into 9 x 13 baking dish.
Take 9 slices of white bread. Sprinkle each slice with water and tear into large chunks. Lay on top of apples.
Sprinkle over top with 1 cup sugar and a small amount of salt.( probably about 1/2 tsp. salt )
Then sprinkle generously with cinnamon
Pour in 1 1/2 cups water
Slice 1/2 stick margarine over top. Cover with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Remove foil last 10 minutes.

Peach Cobbler

My husband's birthday is Aug.24 and he always asks for Peach Cobbler instead of birthday cake. Since that is coming up soon, I have Peach Cobbler on my brain. I thought all of you might enjoy this recipe, too. By the way, if you use peaches from the grocery store, it won't be as good. We go out to Plaster's Orchard on Hwy. 13 and get fresh peaches from southeast Mo. The ones we bought this week are called "Monroe". They are huge, and oh, so good. I think you can also buy them at Fassnight Farms on S. Fort St. I know in years past, they also hauled in peaches from southeast Mo. We are having the family that live here over for lunch and peach cobbler and ice cream on Sunday. Happy Birthday, George!!!

Pie Crust

2 cups flour
1 cup shortening
With fork, work shortening into flour until somewhat crumbly.
Add 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup cold water
Stir until well mixed.
With small amount of flour on dough board or cabinet top, roll out 1/2 of dough. Put into 8 or 9 in square pan. After adding peaches, cut up 1 to 2 Tbsp. margarine into small pieces , and scatter over peaches. Roll out top crust and cover peaches. Beat up 1 egg. With pastry brush, cover top crust with beaten egg yolk. Cut several slits in top crust. Bake in 350 degree oven for 50 to 60 minute .

4 cups peeled and sliced peaches
1 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. Tapioca
Mix sugar and Tapioca and pour over peaches. Stir and let set while you make up your pie crust.

Orange-Glazed Date Drops

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup shortening or oil
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup oats
1 cup chopped dates
Cream shortening, sugar, and egg. Add other ingredients. Bake on cookie sheet 10 to 12 min. at 375 degrees. For glaze: 2 Tbsp. orange juice and 3/4 cup sifted powdered sugar.

Dreamy Fudge

3/4 lb. butter ( no margarine )
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup evaporated milk
Heat to soft ball.
Add 1 12 oz. pkg. milk chocolate chips
1 8 oz. Symphony with almonds candy bar
1 jar marshmallow cream
Pour into 13 x 9 in buttered pyrex dish.

Lone Ranger Cookies

1 cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 cup coconut
2 cups corn flakes (crumbled )
2 cups quick oats ( uncooked )
1 tsp. vnilla
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 cup nuts
Cream shortening, add sugar . Beat well and blend in beaten eggs. Sift flour, salt, soda, and baking powder. Add to creamed mixture. Add vanilla, oatmeal, cereal, coconut and nuts.
This makes stiff dough, mix by hand. Drop by spoonful on greased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees.

Stuffed Round Steak

Another of my sister's recipes.

1 Round steak--pounded or tenderized
Fry 1 lb. of sausage--Mix with 1 pkg stuffing mix.

Spread on round steak.
Roll up jelly-roll style and secure with toothpicks.
Place in crockpot and pour 2 cans golden mushroom soup over it. Cook on high 2 hours and then on low 6 to 8 hours.

Cashew Chicken Casserole

This is another of the recipes from my sister, Rita Clark. If you are new to the blog, Rita was killed by a hit and run driver Nov. 20, 2003. She was a wonderful sister, 4 1/2 years younger than me, and we were best of friends. I miss her terribly. She was a great cook and worked for many years in the Springfield Schools cafeterias. I will say to all of you, that it is true that the Lord does give you grace to deal with the hard times in life, such as the loss of my sister, if you have Him as your personal Savior. Rita was a Christian so I know she is in a far better place than here on Earth.

1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
3 Tbsp. margarine
3/4 cup chicken broth
4 Tbsp. soy sauce
4 cups chopped chicken
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
3 cups cooked rice
1 large can chow mein noodles
1 cup cashews

Saute onion and celery in margarine about 5 min. Add chicken broth, soy sauce and soup. Simmer for 2 min. Add chicken and rice. Place in 9 x 13 pan and bake 10 to 15 min. at 350 degrees until liquid bubbles. Put noodles and nuts on top and return to oven for 2 minutes.

Strawberry Delight

1 baked Angel Food Cake
Tear into bite-size pieces and put into 9 x 13 glass dish.
1 large box strawberry jello
Fix according to package directions and let set in refrigerator until jelled.
2 10 oz. boxes frozen strawberries, that have thawed in refrigerator.
1 large carton Cool-Whip
Beat up jello a little. Add to cool-whip and strawberries. Spread mixture over cake pieces. Cover and return to refrigerator until time to serve.

Caramel Popcorn

1 cup or 2 sticks butter or margarine
2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
6 qts. popped corn
2 cups peanuts
Melt butter in large sauce pan. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Bring to boil, stirring constantly. Boil without stirring for 5 min. Remove from heat. Stir in baking soda and vanilla. Gradually pour over popped corn and peanuts in 2 large shallow pans. Mix well. Bake in 250 degree oven for 1 hour, stirring every 15 min. Remove from oven and cool completely. Break apart and store in tightly covered container.

Lemon Cake

Another of the recipes given to me by my sister, Rita Clark.

1 box lemon cake mix
1 sm. box lemon jello, dissolved in 1 cup boiling water and cooled.
Juice out of 1 lemon
4 eggs ( add 1 egg at a time )
3/4 cup cooking oil
Mix all together. Pour into 9 x 13 baking pan that has been oiled and floured. Bake for 35 min. at 350 degrees.

Frosting:
Juice from 2 lemons
2 cups powdered sugar
Prick with fork all over top of cake. Pour on frosting. Delicious!!!!!

Becky's Snack Mix

1 box Crispix
1 tsp. garlic powder
Pretzels
Peanuts
Mix together and shake.

Mix together in a jar:
1 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix
2 tsp. dill seed
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
3/4 cup vegetable oil
Shake jar until all ingredients are mixed well.
Dump cereal, nuts, and pretzel mixture in a double paper bag. Pour oil mixture on top and shake in bag. When all ingredients are covered well, pour into serving bowl.

Pork Steak and Rice

This is one of my mother's creations. It is fabulous.

Salt and pepper 2 or 3 pork steaks, depending on how many you want to serve. Dip in flour and brown in electric skillet with a small amount of oil or shortening. After it is brown on both sides, turn temperature to low, add a little water to skillet, and let the steak steam for about 1 hour.
While it is steaming, take one can of LaChoy Fried Rice and put into a bowl. Soak for 1 hour in 1 can of water. At the end of the hour, add rice and 2 Tbsp. soy sauce to steaks. Let heat through and serve.

Cream Tacos

Brown 1 lb. hamburger--Drain fat.
Add 2 cans chili beans and 1 can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies
Add:
1 lb. brick chili
1 lb. velveeta cheese
Heat til cheese is melted.
add 1 cup whipping cream
Recipe freezes well.
Eat over tortilla chips. Can add chopped lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, if desired.

Waikiki Meatballs

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
2/3 cup cracker crumbs
1/3 cup minced onion
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ginger
1/4 cup milk
1 Tbsp. shortening
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 can pineapple tidbits, drained, (reserve syrup)
1/3 cup vinegar
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1/3 cup green pepper (chopped )
Mix beef, crumbs, onion, egg, salt, ginger and milk. Shape mixture by rounded teaspoons into balls. Melt shortening in a large skillet. Brown and cook meatballs. Remove meatballs, keep warm. Pour fat from the skillet.
Mix cornstarch and sugar. Pour in reserved pineapple syrup, vinegar and soy sauce. Stir till smooth. Pour into skillet; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly till mixture boils and thickens. Boil and stir one minute. Add meatballs, pineapple and green pepper; Heat through.

Coconut Cookies

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup margarine
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
Mix together. Put into 9 inch square pan
Bake 7 or 8 min. at 350 degrees.

Topping:
1 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp. flour
1 1/2 cups coconut
1/8 tsp. salt
2 eggs, well beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix well. Put on top of crust and bake 15 minutes. Cut while hot.

Oatmeal Pie

Don't laugh! It really is delicious. It would remind you a little of pecan pie. I guess we could call it "Poor Man's Pecan Pie".
3 eggs, beaten
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2/3 cups quick cooking oats
2/3 cup coconut
1 tsp. vanilla
2 Tbsp. soft margarine
Mix all together. Pour into an unbaked pie crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.

Soft Pumpkin Cookies

2 cups unsifted flour
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans

On a piece of wax paper, stirring with a fork, thoroughly mix together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In a large mixing bowl, cream margarine and sugar; stir in corn syrup, then pumpkin, egg and vanilla. Mix well. Gradually add flour mixture, stirring until smooth. Stir in raisins and pecans. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet 2 in. apart, flattening slightly with back of spoon. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven until cookies are lightly browned on bottom and spring back when touched, about 15 min. Makes about 48 cookies.

Graham Cracker Dream Bars

Today is my 100th recipe post. Time has gone fast. Hope all of you are still enjoying this blog.

Arrange 12 double graham crachers on cookie sheet. Two rows of 6 each.

In a saucepan:
Melt 1 cup butter
add 1 cup sugar
1/2 cup canned milk
1 egg, slightly beaten
Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a good boil.
Add:
1cup coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup crushed graham cracker crumbs
Spread over crackers on cookie sheet. Add another layer of graham crackers on top.
Frost with 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 cup butter, vanilla and canned milk to spreading consistency. Chill overnight in refrigerator. Cut each graham cracker in 4 pieces. Makes 48 bars.

Zucchini Bread

1 lb. grated zucchini
2/3 cup shortening
2 2/3 cups sugar
4 eggs
2/3 cup water
3 1/3 cups flour
2 tsp. soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
2/3 cup chopped nuts
2/3 cup raisins
Mix all together. Pour into two greased and floured loaf pans. Bake 70 minutes at 350 degrees.

Banana-Nut Cake

2/3 cup shortening
2 large eggs
2 1/2 cups sifted flour
1 2/3 cups sugar
2/3 cup chopped nuts
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cups (about 3 ) mashed bananas
2/3 cup buttermilk
Stir shortening just to soften, sift in dry ingredients. Add bananas, and half of buttermilk. Mix until flour is dampened. Then beat vigorously 2 min. Add remaining buttermilk, eggs, and beat 2 min. longer. Fold in nuts. Bake in 9 x 13 greased pan at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 min.

Peanut Butter Spread

In 2006, George and I went on a Sunnyland Tours bus tour to the New England States in celebration of our 40th wedding anniversary. It was a fantastic trip and we enjoyed it so much. In PA, the entire busload of people went to an Amish home for dinner. It was served by the woman who lived there and by two helpers. Everything was of course, home made. Delicious food!! She served us this peanut butter spread on home made hot bread. FANTASTIC!!

2 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups water
2/3 cup molasses
Mix all ingredients in a sauce pan and let boil for 2 minutes. Cool and add 2 1/2 lbs. peanut butter and 1 pint of marshmallow cream. I've made this, too, and it is very easy. It does make quite a lot so I shared with friends and relatives.

Home made Pancake and Waffle Syrup

Tonight I talked to my daughter, who lives in Italy, and she said she was so hungry for pancakes and the one I posted yesterday made her even more hungry. Her problem is that she can not find syrup in Italy. This recipe is for her.

2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup water
Bring to a boil. Turn heat low and let simmer for about 10 minutes to thicken a little.
Add 1 tsp. maple flavoring. If you don't have maple, vanilla would do, or it is even good with no flavoring. You can also add about 1 Tbsp. butter and it will make the flavor richer(something like Mrs. Butterworth's syrup).