A few favorites from 2024!!
Back in the old days, Lori Stiles and I would get together and make candy. This recipe was from a Charlie Brown cookbook and it was called "Lucy's Lemon Lollipops". Below is a picture of how we made them before the days of sucker molds. The twins asked me if I could make some hard candy for Christmas this year. So, I did some experimenting to come up with a microwave version so I didn't have to stand at the stove stirring for 20 to 30 minutes. Here it is.....
Mix together in a microwaveable 8 c. measuring bowl:
1/2 c. corn syrup
1 c. sugar
Cover with plastic wrap microwave for 3 minutes on High. Remove plastic wrap carefully.
Stir quickly and cover with a new sheet of plastic wrap and microwave for 2 more minutes.
Carefully remove the plastic wrap and stir in:
1/2 to 1 t. flavoring (lemon, orange, root beer extract) If using flavored oil it only takes a small amount.
Pour into sprayed molds or onto a sprayed cookie sheet.
Let cool about 20 minutes and then remove from molds or break into pieces.
Hints:
Have all your supplies ready before your start.
A sprayed wooden spoon works best for stirring.
I like to shake the candy pieces in a baggie with 1 to 2 T. powdered sugar. Shake off excess. This keeps it from sticking together.
Microwave cooking times may vary due to the wattage of your microwave (mine is 1000 watts).
This recipe became our summer favorite!! We even liked the leftovers, cold straight out of the refrigerator. Great on a hot summer day.
Taco Pasta Salad
16 oz. cooked pasta (I used Penne, and cooked it for 2 minutes, 5 minutes NR in the instant pot)
1 lb. hamburger
1/3 c. water
2 T. taco seasoning
1 c. diced tomatoes
1/2 c. diced red onion (or green onions)
1/2 head lettuce, chopped **
15 oz. corn, drained
15 oz. black beans, drained and rinsed)
1 1/2 c. crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos
16 oz. French Dressing
Cook pasta and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
Brown hamburger and then add water and taco seasoning and simmer for a few minutes. Set aside to cool.
Chop the tomatoes, onions and lettuce into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the cooled pasta and hamburger. Add the corn and black beans, doritos and french dressing. Serve immediately or chill until serving time.
Top with fresh cilantro at serving time.
** With time I decided to leave the lettuce out entirely. It goes mushy when leftover and this recipe makes a big salad and we like it leftover.
My Sister, Janet sent me this recipe to make for our sibling reunion to celebrate Dad's 100th birthday. It has become a big favorite. I have made all the Jello flavors and they are all good!!!
Lime Blender Salad
1 - 6 oz. Lime Jello
1/4 c. sugar
2 c. boiling water
8 oz. cream cheese
2 c. ice cubes
Pour Jello and sugar into blender, add boiling water and blend for 1-2 minutes. Add cream cheese and blend until all flecks of cream cheese disappear. Add ice cubes and blend until completely melted. Pour into a bowl or individual serving dishes. Chill for at least 1 hour.
I have been working on this recipe for some time now. I finally have it perfected!
Strawberry Bundt Cake
1 Strawberry Cake Mix
1 3.4 oz. vanilla instant Pudding
1/2 c . strawberry jam (homemade freezer jam)
4 eggs
1 c. water
1 c. oil
Place all ingredients in the mixer bowl and beat for 2 minutes. Pour into sprayed bundt pan.
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes for regular sized cake or 35 minutes for smaller sized cakes or 25 minutes for minis. Cool in pan for 15 minutes, run a knife around the edges and dump out onto cake stand or plate. Drizzle with strawberry glaze.
Strawberry Glaze
1 1/2 to 2 c. powdered sugar
3 T. strawberry jam
2 T. milk (more as needed for desired consistency)
Stir together and drizzle over cake.
