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    Blueberry Pie

    • Pastry for double crust pie
    • 3 pints blueberries, cleaned and stems removed
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 1/4 cup flour
    • 1/2 cup sugar
    • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
    • Butter

    Combine flour, sugar and cinnamon.  Add to blueberries along with the lemon juice.  Put in pastry lined 9 inch pie pan.  Dot top of filling with butter.  Add top pie crust.  Crimp edges.  Cut slits in top and sprinkle with sugar.  Have oven preheated to 375 degrees.  Bake approximately 50 to 60 minutes on a cookie sheet lined with foil until golden brown.

    Dried Cherry Oatmeal Cookies

     

    A recipe from cooks.com
     
    1 tsp. vanilla
    1 1/4 c. butter, softened
    1 1/4 c. packed brown sugar
    1 egg
    1 tsp. vanilla
    1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
    1 tsp. baking soda
    1 tsp. salt
    3/4 tsp. cinnamon
    1/4 tsp. nutmeg
    3 c. quick or old fashioned uncooked oatmeal
    1 c. dried cherries

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Beat together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla. In a bowl combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg; add to creamed butter mixture, mixing well. Stir in oatmeal and dried cherries.

    Drop by a rounded tablespoon onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8-11 minutes or until lightly golden. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet, then remove. Makes 5 1/2-6 dozen cookies.

    Potato Casserole

    From the 'Our Daily Bread Cookbook' with recipes from the First United Methodist Church ladies, Champaign IL.
     
    Cook 6 large unpeeled potatoes in salted water until done.  Peel and slice.  Put in round  greased casserole dish.  Mix and spread over cubed potatoes:
     
    • 1 medium size onion diced
    • 2 tsp salt
    • 2 cups sour cream
    • 1- 16 oz container of cottage cheese

    Top with 2 cups of grated cheddar cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees 45 to 60 minutes.

    Banana Cake

    * 1 package yellow cake mix

    * 3 very ripe bananas, mashed

    * 1 teaspoon baking soda

    DIRECTIONS

    1. Prepare yellow cake mix according to package directions.

    2. Mash the bananas with the baking soda and stir into the cake mix batter. Pour batter into one greased and floured 9x13 inch baking pan.

    3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 40 - 45 min. Test center of cake with toothpick. Let cake cool thoroughly and then frost with your favorite frosting. Chocolate frosting is really good with this.

     

    Doughnut Holes

    I used to make these when my children were small.  They loved them.
     
    • 2 cups flour (sifted)
    • 1/4 cup sugar
    • 3 tsp baking powder
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 1/2  tsp cinnamon
    • 1/4 cup oil
    • 3/4 cup milk
    • 1 egg

    Mix all ingredients together until thoroughly mixed.  Drop by teaspoonful into oil heated to 375 degrees.  Fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes.  Drain on paper towel.  Then shake in a paper sack which contains 1 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon.  Makes about 3 dozen.

    Heavenly Orange Fluff

     "Our Daily Bread" cookbook with recipes from the ladies of the First United Methodist Church, Champaign IL. 1982
     
    • 2 small pkg orange jello
    • 1 cup boiling water
    • 1 cup juice from pineapple and mandarin oranges, heated to boiling
    • 1 small can frozen orange juice
    • 1 20 oz can crushed pineapple
    • 2 cans mandarin oranges

    Use 13X9 pan.

    In large bowl, mix jello, boiling water and juice from pineapple and mandarin oranges heated to boiling.  Add pineapple, mandarin oranges and the frozen undiluted orange juice.  Put in the 13X9 pan.  Chill until thick, then add topping.

    Topping:

    1 small pkg lemon instant pudding mixed with 1 cup of cold milk.  Fold in 2 cups of Cool Whip.  Spread on top of jello salad.

    Butter Pecan Turtle Bars (from an Amish cookbook)

    For the crust:
    • 2 cups flour
    • 1 cup brown sugar
    • 1/2 cup butter

    Mix crust well and pat into a 9X13 pan.

    For filling:

    Sprinkle 1 cup of pecans over the crust.  Pour 1 can sweetened condensed milk over the nuts.  Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 18-22 minutes.  Take out of oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips, toffee bits or coconut.

    ***************************************************************************************

    I have never made this recipe but it looks easy.  If I was making it I would soften the butter before adding the brown sugar and flour.  I think I might use milk chocolate chips and some toffee bits too.  If you try it let me know how it turns out.

    Funny Cake

    This is a very, very old recipe.  It is quick, easy and delicious.
     

    Sift the following ingredients together into an ungreased 8X2 pan.

    • 1 & 1/2 cups of flour
    • 1/4 cup of cocoa
    • 1teaspoon soda
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 teaspoon salt

    Make 3 holes (wells) in the dry mixture.  Into first hole put 1 teaspoon white vinegar.  In the second hole put 1 teaspoon vanilla.  In the 3rd hole put 1/3 cup of oil.  Over the entire pan, gradually pour 1 cup of water while you are mixing (not beating) the mixture: lumps are OK.  Bake in 350 degree preheated oven for 35 minutes.  Dust powdered sugar over the hot cake.

    Easter Sunday

    Hello family and friends.  I hope you had a glorious Easter Sunday.  I enjoyed beautiful weather and bright sunshine.  My neighbors took me to the big city for a splendid buffet.  I ate too much of course...
     
    Red heart  Beth

    Lemon Cheese Bars

    My son's favorite dessert...

     

    Step 1.

    Mix 1 box yellow cake mix with

    1/3 cup of oil and 1 egg.

    Mix until crumbly.  Reserve 1 cup.  Pat remaining mixture evenly into a 13X9 ungreased pan.  Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for exactly 15 minutes.  Meanwhile do

    Step 2.

    Beat 1 eight ounce pkg of softened cream cheese with 1/3 cup of sugar.  Add 1 egg and 1/3 cup of lemon juice.  Beat until light and fluffy.  Spread over hot baked crumb mixture.  Sprinkle remaining crumbly mixture over the top.  Bake 15 minutes longer.  Do NOT overbake.  Chill and cut into squares.

     

    Cornbread Salad

    From my cousin Audrey...
     
    • 1 pkg Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
    • 1 cup canned green chilies, undrained
    • 1/8 tsp cumin
    • 1/8 tsp oregano
    • Pinch of sage
    • 1 cup mayonnaise
    • 1 cup sour cream
    • 1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
    • 2 cans pinto beans, rinsed and drained
    • 2 can whole kernal corn, drained
    • 3 chopped tomatoes
    • 1 cup chopped green pepper
    • 1 cup chopped green onions
    • 10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
    • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

    Prepare corn muffin mix as directed on package; stir in the chilies, oregano and sage.  Spread into a greased 8 inch pan.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20 - 25 minutes.  Cool.

    Combine mayo, sour cream and dressing mix.

    Crumble 1/2 corn bread into a 9X13 baking dish.  Layer with 1/2 pinto beans, 1/2 mayo mixture, 1/2 corn, 1/2 tomatoes, 1/2 green pepper, 1/2 green onion and 1/2 of the bacon and the cheese.  Repeat layers.  cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.

    Thanks Audrey!  If any of my cousins scattered around the country are reading this, I would love a recipe of yours to publish.

    Beth Marie

    Oven Irish Stew

    From my big city newspaper.
     
    • 3 tablespoons light soy sauce
    • 3 tablespoons flour
    • 2 lbs lean beef or lamb stew meat
    • 4 carrots, peeled and sliced(or 2 cups peeled baby carrots)
    • 1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced
    • 1 cup thinly sliced celery
    • 3/4 cup Irish lager or beer
    • 2 teaspoons beef flavor bouillon
    • 1/4 teaspoon each dried marjoram and thyme leaves rubbed between fingers to release flavors
    • 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

    Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Combine soy sauce and flour in large, oven-proof casserole dish or Dutch oven.  Add beef or lamb pieces; stir to coat.  Stir in vegetables, beer, bouillon and herbs.  Cover.

    Bake, stirring occasionally checking for doneness for 2 hours.  If broth becomes to thick add more beer, about 1/2 cup at a time.  If stew is too thin, remove cover during last half hour.  Stir in parsley before serving.

    Note:  May be prepared on stovetop or in slow cooker.  On top of stove, cover and cook over low heat stirring occasionally for 2 hours.  For slow cooker, cook on high stirring occasionally for 4 hours.

    Peanut Butter Sheet Cake (from an Amish Cookbook)

    • 2 cups flour
    • 2 cups sugar
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 2 eggs
    • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
    • 3/4 cup margarine
    • 1/2 cup extra crunchy peanut butter
    • 1 cup water
    • 1/2 cup buttermilk

    Mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together in a bowl.  Set aside.  Bring the oil, margaine, peanut butter and water to a boil in  a saucepan.  Pour over the dry ingredients and mix well.  Add eggs, vanilla and buttermilk, stirring well to blend.  Pour the batter into an 11X15 greased sheet cake pan.  Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 15 - 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center tests the cake done. 

    ICING

    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 tablespoon margarine
    • 1/2 cup extra crunchy peanut butter
    • 1/2 cup evaporated milk,
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 1/2 cup miniature marshmallows

    Combine the evaporated milk, 1 tablespoon margarine and 1 cup of sugar in a clean saucepan.  Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.  Add the marshmallows and peanut butter, stirring until melted.  Blend in the vanilla.  Spread the icing over the warm cake.  For extra pizazz, sprinkle with milk chocolate Heath bits.

    *****This sounds like a bit of work but I think it would be delicious for a big family gathering.  I think it might work if you baked it in a 13X9 pan and adjusted the baking time upward to about 30 minutes, testing center for doneness with a toothpick, and as far as I am concerned there is never too much frosting on a cake.

    Date Pinwheel Cookies

    • 1 cup shortening
    • 2 cups light brown sugar
    • 3 eggs, well beaten
    • 4 cups flour
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
    • 2 & 1/2 cups chopped dates
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup chopped nuts

    Cream shortening.  Beat in brown sugar gradually.  Stir in the eggs.  Sift together flour, salt and baking soda.  Add to the first mixture.  Mix well.  Chill.  Divide in 2 or 3 parts.  Roll in oblong 1/4 inch thick.  Spread with cooled date filling and roll up.  Wrap in wax paper and chill overnight.  Cut in 1/2 inch slices and put on cookie sheets.  Bake at 400 degrees until firm (about 10 minutes).  Makes 60 or more.

    Date Filling:  Mix chopped dates, sugar, nuts  and water.  cook over medium heat 10 minutes until thick stirring constantly.  Let cool.

    From the First United Methodist Church "A Taste of Heaven Cookbook" O'Fallon IL.

    Crock Pot Savory Roast

    Prep: 10 minutes
    Cook: 8 hours Serves: 6

    Ingredients:

    1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
    1 pouch (2 ounces) dry onion soup & recipe mix
    6 small red potatoes, cut in half
    6 medium carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces (about 3 cups)
    3 -to 3 1/2-pound boneless beef bottom round roasts or chuck pot roast

    Directions:

    Stir the soup, onion soup mix, potatoes and carrots in a 4 1/2-quart slow cooker. Add the beef and turn to coat.

    Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours* or until the beef is fork-tender.

    *Or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.

    Italian Style Sheperd's Pie from Betty Crocker

    1 lb boneless beef sirloin, trimmed of fat, cut into 1-inch cubes
    1 cup sliced onion (about 1 medium)
    2 medium carrots, sliced (1 cup)
    1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
    1/4 teaspoon pepper
    1 & 1/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
    1 jar (14 oz) tomato pasta sauce (any variety) (1 1/2 cups)
    1/2 box (7.2-oz size) Betty Crocker® roasted garlic mashed potatoes (1 pouch)
    3/4 cup hot water
    1 1/4 cups milk
    2 tablespoons butter or margarine
    2 tablespoons shredded fresh Parmesan cheese
     
    Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 2-quart casserole or 11x7-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. Heat 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef, onion and carrots to skillet; sprinkle with seasoned salt and pepper. Cook 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is brown.
    Stir in mushrooms and pasta sauce. Heat to boiling. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Spread in casserole.
    Make potatoes as directed on box for 4 servings, using 1 pouch Potatoes with Seasoning, hot water, milk andbutter. Spoon into 8 mounds around edge of hot beef mixture. Sprinkle cheese over all.

    Bake uncovered 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly and potatoes are light golden brown.

    ****I haven't tried this yet but it sounds really good.  I have tried the instant mashed potatoes and they are good.

     

    Lemon Meringue Pie

    This is the recipe I use when I make my favorite dessert, lemon meringue pie.  It is from my old Betty Crocker cookbook that I got as a wedding gift so many years ago.  Now though, I would use the Betty Crocker ready crusts that are refrigerated.
     
    Luscious Lemon Meringue Pie 
    Pastry
    1 cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon shortening
    2 to 3 tablespoons cold water
    Filling
    3 egg yolks
    1 1/2 cups sugar
    1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    1 1/2 cups water
    3 tablespoons butter or margarine
    2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
    1/2 cup lemon juice
    2 drops yellow food color, if desired
    Meringue
    3 egg whites
    1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
    6 tablespoons sugar
    1/2 teaspoon vanilla
    In medium bowl, mix flour and salt. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until particles are size of small peas. Sprinkle with cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost cleans side of bowl (1 to 2 teaspoons more water can be added if necessary).
    Gather pastry into a ball. Shape into flattened round on lightly floured surface. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate about 45 minutes or until dough is firm and cold, yet pliable. This allows the shortening to become slightly firm, which helps make the baked pastry more flaky. If refrigerated longer, let pastry soften slightly before rolling.
    Heat oven to 475°F. With floured rolling pin, roll pastry into round 2 inches larger than upside-down 9-inch glass pie plate. Fold pastry into fourths; place in pie plate. Unfold and ease into plate, pressing firmly against bottom and side. Trim overhanging edge of pastry 1 inch from rim of pie plate. Fold and roll pastry under, even with plate; flute as desired. Prick bottom and side of pastry thoroughly with fork. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown; cool on cooling rack.
    Reduce oven temperature to 400°F. In small bowl, beat egg yolks with fork. In 2-quart saucepan, mix sugar and cornstarch; gradually stir in water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 1 minute.
    Immediately stir at least half of hot mixture into egg yolks; stir back into hot mixture in saucepan. Boil and stir 2 minutes; remove from heat. Stir in butter, lemon peel, lemon juice and food color. Pour into pie crust.
    In medium bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar with electric mixer on high speed until foamy. Beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time; continue beating until stiff and glossy. Do not underbeat. Beat in vanilla. Spoon onto hot pie filling. Spread over filling, carefully sealing meringue to edge of crust to prevent shrinking or weeping.

     

     

    Bake 8 to 12 minutes or until meringue is light brown. Cool away from draft 2 hours. Cover and refrigerate cooled pie until serving. Store in refrigerator.

     

    Beef and Biscuit Casserole

    Ingredients:

    • 1 to 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
    • 1 cup chopped onion
    • 1/2 cup chopped celery
    • 8 ounces mushrooms
    • 1 to 1 1/2 cups mixed vegetables or peas and carrots
    • 1 jar (12 ounces) beef gravy
    • 3 to 4 tablespoons red wine or water
    • dash dried thyme
    • salt and pepper, to taste
    • 6 to 8 frozen biscuits, slightly thawed and cut into quarters

    Preparation:

    Brown ground beef with onion, celery, and mushrooms until beef is no longer pink and vegetables are tender. Add mixed vegetables, gravy, wine or water, and thyme. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste. Pour mixture into a 2-quart baking dish sprayed with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil spray. Arrange biscuits over the top of the mixture. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes, or until biscuits are nicely browned and beef mixture is bubbly.
    Serves 4 to 6

    Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

    • 3 cups cooked diced chicken
    • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
    • 1 can cream of celery soup
    • 2 cups chicken broth
    • 1/2 cup melted butter
    • 1 package herb-seasoned stuffing mix, (6 to 8 oz)
    • 1 cup shredded cheese, Swiss or Cheddar

    Preparation:

    Combine soups and chicken broth; add diced chicken to the mixture. Add butter to dressing mix. Combine chicken mixture with the dressing mixture. Place in a 2 to 2 1/2-quart casserole and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Top with shredded cheese during the last 5 minutes if desired.
     
    Serves 6.

    Pecan Cream Cheese Pie

    • 8 ounce package of cream cheese (softened)
    • 3/4 cup sugar, divided use
    • 4 eggs, divided use
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla, divided use
    • 10 inch unbaked pie shell
    • 1 & 1/4 cups chopped pecans
    • 1 cup light corn syrup

    In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese, one egg, 1/2 cup of the sugar and one teaspoon of the vanilla together until smooth.  Dust both sides of the pie crust with flour and put crust in pie pan.

    Pour cream cheese mixture into pie crust and sprinkle the chopped pecans on top.

    In another bowl beat the 3 remaining eggs, corn syrup, 1/4 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla together until smooth.  Pour over pecan layer.

    Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 45 - 50 minutes until center sets.  The pie will puff up and crack in the center when it is done.

    The ingredients separate into 3 layers, with pecans on top, cream cheese in the middle layer and a rich custard on the bottom.  It is good warm or tastes just like a candy bar when served cold.