Chicken Crunch

I think I remember Mother making this when we had large family gatherings. It looks like it would be good for a potluck, and would be good leftover.

1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
4 skinless boneless chicken breasts
2 Tbsp flour
1 1/2 cup Pepperidge Farm stuffing, crushed
2 Tbsp margarine, melted
1 tsp fresh or dried parsley flakes, optional
1/2 tsp lemon juice, optional

Combine 1/3 cup soup and 1/4 cup milk
Roll chicken in flour, dip into soup mixture then roll in stuffing.
Arrange on baking sheet, drizzle with butter. Bake 20 minutes at 400 degrees or until no longer pink.

Combine remaining soup, 1/4 cup milk, parsley and lemon juice over low heat. Heat through stirring occassionally. Pour over chicken.

Mother's Beef Brisket

 I've made the sauce a lot! I use it for my BBQ sauce for everything.

Sprinkle brisket with 1/4 tsp each salt, celery salt, garlic salt.
3 Tbsp liquid smoke
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

Cover and refrigerate 24 hours.
Bake covered 225 degrees for 3-3 1/2 hours.

Sauce

1 14 oz bottle of tomato ketchup
1 Tbsp liquid smoke
1/4 cup waffle syrup
2 Tbsp oil
garlic salt
juice of 1 lemon
2 Tbsp of Worcestershire sauces
2 Tbsp of hot sauce
salt, pepper

Linguine ala Carbonaro

This is a recipe that my sister Nancy shared with me. It's very good!

1 pkg 8 oz linguine
5 slices ham-strips
2 beaten eggs

1/4 lb bacon-1" pieces
1 cup onion
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/3 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup parsley

Cook mushrooms, peas, ham, bacon, onions.
Add  cooked linguine.
Add butter and broth.
Remove from heat.
Stir in eggs. Top with cheese and parsley.

Cranberry Cinnamon Punch

This is a hot cranberry punch that is wonderful for the holidays. I've made it for years. My friend Jane suggested I be sure and add it to the recipes to share.

2 cups fresh cranberries
8 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup red hot cinnamon candies
3 whole cloves
1/2 cup orange juice
2 TBSP lemon juice

Wash berries.
Combine berries in 3 cups water. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Berries will start to pop. Remove and cool.
Strain berries, conserving juice.
Combine juice, 5 cups water, sugar, candies, cloves.
Bring to a boil for 5 minutes.(make sure red hots are dissolved)
Stir in orange juice.

I usually serve with a slice of lemon, orange, or lime on top.

This is my mother and I in her kitchen. We have spent many happy times there cooking, eating, talking, visiting with family, playing with her grandkids, and of course cleaning up.

Claudeen's Buttermilk Fudge

I'm pretty sure this is Claudeen's recipe. She always made the very best fudge and would bring it over for the holidays. So, I'm posting it on this Thanksgiving day in honor of all the wonderful dinners we've had together.

1 cup buttermilk
1 stick oleo
1 tsp soda
2 Tbsp white Karo syrup
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup nuts

Mix and cook to soft ball stage. Then beat and add nuts.

I believe that about 2 cups of sugar will need to be added to this recipe. I tried it as it and it didn't work.

Mandarin Orange Dessert

This is a good,easy,light recipe that Mother used to make. I always loved it!

1 can Eagle brand milk
1 can mandarin oranges
juice of 2 lemons
1/2 pint whipped cream
vanilla wafers

Line 9" pan with wafers(bottom and sides)
Mix lemon juice, eagle brand milk, and drained orange slices.
Pour in pan.
Top with wafers.
Pour whipped cream over and sprinkle with crushed vanilla wafers.
Optional sprinkle with red and green candied cherries.
Let set 24 to 48 hours.

Spaghetti Casserole

This is a recipe that I've made quite a few times, it's very good and great leftover. I thought I got it from my mother but she doesn't remember it. It's makes a large amount.

1-10 oz pkg of spaghetti
1 chopped onion
1 chopped green pepper
1 tsp salt
1 can Rotel tomato
2 lbs hamburger
1 Tbsp garlic salt
3 Tbsp chili powder
1 can tomato soup
1 lb grated cheddar cheese

Cook spaghetti.
Brown meat, onions, pepper.
Add spices.
Simmer briefly.
In 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan put 1/2 spaghetti, layer of meat, top with cheese. Repeat.
Top with soup mixed with 1/2 can water.
Mash Rotel tomatoes and pour over.
Top with cheese. Bake uncovered 1 hour at 300 degrees.

Claudeen's Cream Corn

This is very simple,rich but very good! It's great around the holidays for a special treat.

Mix 1 stick butter, 1 bar cream cheese, 1 medium size pkg frozen corn kernels in crock pot. Slow cook until hot. Add salt, butter, green chilies to taste.

Claudeen's Fudge

Claudeen makes the best fudge! She would always make it during the holidays for family get togethers.

4 cups sugar
1 large can evaporated milk
Bring to a boil and boil for 6-7 minutes.
Add 1 large pkg of choc chip morsels, 2- 9 oz dark chocolate bars, 1 large jar marshmallow cream, and 1 lb pecans.
Beat and pour in roasting pan.

Mexican Corn Bread (Grandmommies recipe)

Combine:
1 cup cornmeal (white or yellow)
1/2 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
3 Tbsp melted shortening
3/4 cup sweet milk
1 small can cream style corn

Grease well corn skillet and heat.

Pour:
1/2 batter into greased pan. Sprinkle with small can of chopped green chili peppers and 1/2 cup grated cheese.

Add:
remainder of batter and sprinkle generously with grated cheese.

Bake:
400 degrees 30-40 minutes.

Old Fashioned Soft Sugar Cookies

My sister Nancy asked me to include this. Our Grandmother-Mom Thompson from Stigler Oklahoma always made these when we came to visit. They were always so soft and simple. We loved them!

2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup soft shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 egg white

Sift flour, soda, salt. Mix shortening, sugar, and egg yolk till very light and fluffy. Mix in flour mixture alternately with buttermilk; then mix in vanilla. Fold in egg white, beaten stiff. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls, 3" apart, onto greased cookie sheet. With spatula, flatten till 1/2" thick. If desired, sprinkle with sugar mixed with chopped nuts, raisins, or grated lemon rind. Bake 375 for 20 min., or until golden brown. Makes 1 1/2 dozen.

Blueberry Muffins

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season of cooking and spending time with family and friends. I'll return with an all time favorite of blueberry muffins.

Blueberry Muffins

Do not overmix, makes 18 small muffins.

In large bowl mix
2 cups flour
3 Tsps baking powder
3 Tbsps sugar
1 tsp salt

In another bowl beat one egg, add 1 cup milk and 6 Tbsps shortening.
Mix both mixtures lightly and add add 1 cup blueberries last.
Fill muffin tins 2/3 full and sprinkle heavy with sugar.
Bake 425 degrees for 25 minutes.