By Staff
In years past (I'm told) that it was customary for Mothers … whose daughters were just entering the dating age … (to tell their daughter) that the quickest way to a man's heart was through his stomach!
Perhaps that is why that generation boasted so many brides who knew their way around the kitchen BEFORE the wedding! Young ladies (in those days) were not able to purchase canned or frozen foods … they made everything from scratch! (Tilt your ear and listen and you can almost hear the "gasp" from some of our young "lovelies" who … with cell phone in ear are busily painting their fingernails as they await a hot meal warming in the microwave.) This last sentence was in no way meant to be sarcastic, but simply a comparison between past and present years. In all honesty I must admit that even though I am a "relic" of the past, I do not hesitate to use my microwave.
Although I have never cooked a complete meal in it, I find it absolutely invaluable for re-warming purposes and use it on a continual basis. I can only imagine what a blessing this convenience would have been to me during the years I was employed at the office.
*This first recipe comes from an Indiana resident who obviously has access to our local newspaper. Thanks for being a part of today's column! … Lou
Bing Cherry Salad
1 number 2 can bing cherries, drained
1 number 2 can crushed pineapple, drained
3 ounces black cherry gelatin
3 ounces cherry gelatin
2 small bottles cola
8 ounces cream cheese
1 cup chopped pecans
Add just enough water to the reserved juices to make two cups of liquid. Heat this to boiling, then pour it over the gelatins. Add the cola and then chill until it begins to thicken. Beat cheese until it becomes creamy, then add this to the fruits. Add the nuts. Fold this into the gelatin and chill until it becomes firm. Pour into a mold, or a 9×13 inch pan.
*Do any of my readers happen to know the number of ounces that were contained in those small bottles of cola? Please phone me! Many thanks … Lou
Timely trivia: How many of you readers remember that it was the year 1946 when (former) President Harry Truman was lauded for forcing the Russians out of Iran?
Homemaker's Hint: I have found that to produce a quick shine for water spots on mirrors and small appliances, is to simply wipe them with a soft cloth which has been moistened with rubbing alcohol. It literally evaporates as you polish and any streaks and pots go right with it.
Strawberry Soda
3 tablespoons frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed
whipped cream
3/4 cup strawberry ice cream
6 ounces chilled crme soda
fresh strawberries
Mash strawberries until well blended with syrup. Stir together strawberry syrup, one scoop ice cream and about 2 tablespoons crme soda in the bottom of a 4 inch chilled glass. Now, add additional scoops of ice cream, then pour in just enough soda to fill the glass. Garnish with whipped cream and a large, luscious strawberry.
Homemakers Hint: Save a few of those egg cartons! They are just ideal if you are asked to supply deviled eggs at a picnic … since they are disposable and most picnic grounds have trash containers on their premises.
Timely trivia: Did you happen to read where another path to a better brain is through your stomach?
As you no doubt guessed by the "theme" of this column … I'm gearing up for an early spring … won't you join me?
Pineapple Mint Cooler
4 cups unsweetened pineapple juice, chilled
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup (green) crme de menthe
canned or fresh pineapple slices
1-18 ounce bottle lemon/lime carbonated beverage
Combine the pineapple and lemon juices and crme de menthe in two and one half quart container; and be certain to mix it well. Do NOT add the carbonated beverage until just before you are ready to enjoy this drink. Garnish each serving with a quarter of a slice of pineapple.
Homemaker's Hint: You know when you lengthen a garment, there is always that inevitable shine and crease from the previous hem? You can prevent this tell-tale give-away if you simply apply a bit of white vinegar to the wrong side of the fabric, when you steam press it.
Timely trivia: Do you remember me telling you that Winston Churchilll once suffered a heart attack simply by straining to open a window in the White House?
Frothy Eggnog
8 eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1-2 teaspoons rum or brandy extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 quarts milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup whipping cream
dash or two cinnamon
You need a large mixing bowl for this recipe: beat eggs at high speed until they become nice and thick and foamy. Gradually add the sugar and salt, then the two extracts at a low speed, add milk gradually. Pour into a container with a cover, then place immediately into the refrigerator to chill. Just before serving, whip the cream and gradually fold it into the eggnog. Pour into a chilled punchbowl and garnish with cinnamon. Doesn't that make you thirsty????
Timely Trivia: Wouldn't you like to be a member of the United States Congress? They are the world's highest paid legislators.
Cranberry Crash
3 cups cranberry juice
1/2 cup apricot nectar
2 1/5 tablespoons lemon juice
6 ounces orange pop
Stir together the juices and the carbonated drink, then when thoroughly blended … serve over fresh orange slices. (Note: This recipe should make four six ounce servings.)
Sherbert Tea Punch
2 cups boiling water
6 tea bags
1 cup sugar
1 cup orange juice
Two 7 ounce bottles chilled ginger ale
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 pint orange sherbert
Using your teapot, pour the boiling water over the tea bags, then cover and allow to brew for a good five minutes. Remove the tea bags, stir in the sugar and cool. Then in the punch bowl, combine the tea, juice and ginger ale. Float five spoonfuls of sherbert on the surface. (Note: makes about ten five ounce servings.)
Homemaker's Hint: Did you know that fleas will be more apt to flee if you you place some fresh pine needles in the doghouse or even beneath his bed pad?
Timely Trivia: Many years ago, people often used the word "cooties." Actually this word referred to lice, but the term is seldom heard in today's world.
Yogurt Nog
1-8 ounce cup vanilla yogurt
1 egg
2 tablespoons honey
cinnamon or nutmeg
Place the yogurt, egg and honey into a blender. Blend at high speed until the mixture becomes frothy. Pour this mixture into a tall chilled glass, then serve immediately. If you want a more spirited version, add a dash of brandy or rum.
Homemakers Hint: How often do you reach for a food item and it's gone? You can prevent this from happening if you post a note labeled GROCERIES in your kitchen, then tell family members to clearly list any item they just used the last of.
Timely Trivia: Did you know that Disney World, where families will be taking their children for vacation, covers an area of forty-six square miles? You had better start packing some comfortable walking shoes, along with that suitcase of money, for you are going to need them.
**With spring yard work, time rapidly approaching, you might wish to keep an "Energy Drink" handy for those brief moments that you take to sit down and rest. This next recipe gives you something to refresh you during those periodic breaks!
Homemade Energy Beverage
2 cups white grape juice
1 cup orange/grapefruit juice
1-12 ounce bottle ginger ale
1 cup apple cider
1 cinnamon stick
2 cloves
1/4 cup candied ginger
orange slices
Place all ingredients, except orange slices and pop, into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Immediately reduce heat and simmer for five minutes. Strain well, then place into the refrigerator to chill thoroughly. Just before serving, combine the grape mixture together with the ginger ale. Pour over ice and garnish with orange slices.
Homemaker's Hint: Since I have a habit of "ironing everything that will stand still", I notice that the ironing board cloth seems to wear out the quickest on the area where I rest the iron. You can reinforce this area by applying an iron-on denim patch on that spot.
Timely Trivia: Don't get close enough to check it out yourself, but I have been told that tigers have striped skin beneath their hair … zebras do not.
Brandy Cream Fizz
4 ounces brandy
4 ounces orange juice
2 ounces fresh lime or lemon juice
4 ounces heavy cream
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup finely crushed ice
cold club soda
lemon or lime twists
Measure the brandy, orange juice, lime or lemon juice, cream, eggs, sugar and ice into your blender. Cover and blend until mixture becomes smooth. Pour into chilled glasses, add a splash of club soda; then garnish with lemon or lime twists. (For my reader … John S. I believe that this might be the recipe you requested. If not, ring me back and I'll keep searching. … Lou)
Homemakers Hint: I was once told, by a clerk in a jewelry store, that if you store a piece of chalk in your jewelry box, it prevents costume jewelry from tarnishing.
Timely Trivia: Experts claim that bamboo is actually stronger than concrete.
Pink Lemonade
juice of four lemons
2 1/2 cups cold water
1 package cherry gelatin
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup boiling water
Pour boiling water over gelatin and sugar. Stir thoroughly until gelatin is completely dissolved, then cool. Add cold water and lemon juice. Serve in tall chilled glasses with ice chips.
Timely Trivia: If you are addicted to sub sandwiches, then Manhattan is the place to be. It is reported that there are more Subway sandwich shops there than there are actual subway stations!
Homemakers Hint: Nail polish remover does an excellent job of removing tar and/or grease from white shoes … just avoid ever using it on plastic!
Chocolate Nog
3 – one ounce squares unsweetened chocolate
3 cups milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 eggs
Combine chocolate and milk in the top of a double boiler and then heat this until the chocolate melts. Stir. Add the salt, sugar, cinnamon and extract. Beat the eggs, then add them to this chocolate. Beat this mixture until it becomes frothy, then serve immediately.
Homemaker's Hint: Treat your patent leather shoes to a bright shine by rubbing them with just a dab of petroleum jelly.
Timely Trivia: What do Henry Ford, Eli Whitney, Paul Revere and Robert Fulton all have in common with each other? They all were clockmakers at some point in their lives.
Gold Sparkle Punch
1 – 1 qt, 14 ounce container apricot nectar, chilled
1 qt., 14 ounce container pineapple juice, chilled
1-6 ounce container frozen limeade concentrate, chilled
3 cups cold water
1 quart lemon/lime pop, chilled
Combine nectar, pineapple juice, limeade concentrate and water. Stir together well, then chill. Just before serving, pour mixture into a punch bowl and then add soda. Serve immediately.
**For Esther who was having difficulty threading her sewing machine, I find it helpful to place a very light colored fabric beneath the pressure foot of my machine. Good Luck! … Lou
Timely Trivia: I read that investor Warren Buffet filed his very first income tax at the age of thirteen, then he claimed a $35 deduction for his bicycle; as he was a newspaper delivery boy.
Homemaker's Hint: While rubbing linament on my back recently, I found it much easier to rub it in with the back of my fist.
Tropical Tea
4 cups boiling water
4 tea bags
1/2 cup sugar
8 limes
4 cups unsweetened pineapple juice, chilled
strawberries
2 – 28 ounce bottles ginger ale, chilled
Pour boiling water over tea bags, and steep for about 4 minutes. Discard tea bags, then stir in sugar. Juice the limes – the juice should amount to about 1 cup in volume. Stir the pineapple juice into the tea. Add lime juice and ginger ale. Serve over ice cubes with straws.
** In response to the lady who asked if I had a suggestion of an easy way to thread a needle. I found that by spraying a tad of hairspray or starch on my finger-then try rubbing the thread through this … it helped tremendously! Hope this works for you!
Timely Trivia: Believe it or not … the Puritans brought beer to America when they settled Plymouth. In those days, beer was a dietary mainstay on long voyages because it was more pure than water.
Homemaker's Hint: With warm weather just around the corner, spray your canvas shoes with fabric protector to keep them looking nice.