Easy-Peasy Apple Pie... Not nearly as good as my daughter-in-law's and sister-in-law's, but a quick and easy, shortened version, to make in a short amount of time.  Recipe:

QUICK AND EASY, SHORTCUT VERSION OF A BAKED APPLE PIE.  RECIPE:

5-6 MEDIUM APPLES (FOR DEEP DISH) - I AM USING GRANNY SMITH
1 1/2 TSP APPLE-PIE SPICE
1/2 TSP CINNAMON - *OPTIONAL (I LIKE EXTRA CINNAMON)
1/4 CUP ORANGE JUICE - *OPTIONAL
1/2 CUP WHITE SUGAR
2/3 CUPS PACKED BROWN SUGAR (I USE LIGHT)
1 - 2 TBSP FLOUR (FOR THICKENING)
ABOUT 1/2 STICK BUTTER
READY-MADE PIE CRUST

PREHEAT OVEN TO 425 F DEGREES / WASH APPLES AND PEEL (SOME PEOPLE PREFER TO LEAVE THE SKIN ON) / SLICE AND/OR CHOP THE APPLE UP AND PUT INTO A BOWL / POUR THE ORANGE JUICE OVER THE APPLES AND SET ASIDE / SPRAY PIE DISH WITH COOKING SPRAY / LAY THE FIRST ROLL OF READY-MADE PIE CRUST INTO THE DISH AND SPREAD, MAKING SURE THERE ARE NO HOLES / ADD SUGARS TO THE APPLES AND ORANGE JUICE / ADD SPICES AND FLOUR AND MIX WELL / SPREAD SOFTENED BUTTER ONTO BOTTOM OF PIE CRUST / POUR APPLE FILLING INTO DISH AND SPREAD, EVENLY / ADD MORE PATS OF BUTTER / TAKE SECOND PIE CRUST AND LAY OVER TOP OF PIE / CREATE HOLE VENTS, USING A FORK, OR COOKIE CUTTER / CRIMP EDGES OF CRUST TOGETHER / PLACE ALUMINUM FOIL UNDER PIE PAN AND BRING UP OVER THE EDGE OF THE PIE / BAKE FOR 40 MINUTES (OVENS WILL VARY) / REMOVE FOIL FROM OUTER EDGES AND BAKE AN ADDITIONAL 6-10 MINUTES FOR EVEN BROWNING / REMOVE FROM OVEN AND LET THE PIE SIT FOR ABOUT AND HOUR BEFORE CUTTING / ADD APPLE PIE, OR WHIPPED TOPPING, IF DESIRED... AND ENJOY!

Simple Southern-Comfort Food...

"Soup Beans" (pinto beans) and ham, fresh homemade slaw, cornbread, and buttery pound cake with cherry topping. . . A good meal for those days when I especially miss Mama!

Valentine's Day Sweetness...

Strawberry & Vanilla Bundt Cake...Love is in the air!

I didn't have a strawberry cake mix, nor strawberry icing, on hand...so I improvised, and used dry strawberry koolaid for the cake and icing flavoring. Yummy! Very tasty...Can't wait to try lemon and orange!

GRANDMA'S CHRISTMAS FRUIT COCKTAIL CAKE...Moist, delicious, and EASY!

Grandma made this cake every year at Christmas. It is so easy! The recipe will be featured in our local community holiday magazine for 2011.

GRANDMA'S CHRISTMAS FRUIT COCKTAIL CAKE

Moist and delicious, and so easy!

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 DEGREES

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

dash of salt
1 1/3 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 can fruit cocktail (do not drain)

Mix all ingredients well, adding fruit cocktail, last. Bake at 350 degrees in a bundt pan, 9 x 11 inch pan (metal or glass), or 2 loaf pans. Bake time is 40-45 minutes. Set aside and cool.

ICING:

(Just as moist and delicious without icing...)

1 cup sugar (Grandma used white, but I like to use brown.)

1 12-oz can evaporated milk

3 egg yolks

1 stick margarine

Cook until thick, constantly stirring.

Remove from heat and add the following:

1 tsp vanilla

1 tbsp orange or lemon juice (optional)

1 cup coconut

1 cup nuts of your choice (I like to use walnuts.)

Spread over your cake, or if you have used a bundt pan, drizzle around the tops and sides. Garnish with RED cherries, or other garnishments. Other options that I sometimes add, are: 2 over-ripe mashed bananas, or cranraisins. ENJOY!

SQUASH Relish

Never tried this before, but it turned out very well. I cubed the squash and it actually makes a great relish. The squash gives it a crunchy texture. Very tasty.

RECIPE:

8 cups chopped squash / 1 large onion, chopped

1 sweet red pepper, chopped / 2 teaspoons tumeric

2 teaspoons celery seed / 2 cups vinegar

2 1/2 cups sugar / salt & pepper

Sprinkle salt, as desired, on squash, and refrigerate for 2-4 hours. Rinse squash in a collander for about 2 minutes, and add all other ingredients. Bring to a boil and place in mason jars and seal. Makes about 6 pints.

Yummy Chow-Chow

What's for supper, Grandpa? Fresh from the garden. . . cabbage, green tomatoes, red & green peppers, onions. Sweet and spicy chow-chow. . . soooo good with soup beans and cornbread! COMFORT FOOD. . . reminding me of Mama's cooking . . . just not as good!

1 large cabbage, 1 small onion, 1 red pepper, 1 green pepper, 1 teaspoon tumeric, 1 teaspoon celery seed, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, 1 1/2 cup cider vinegar, 2/3 cups brown sugar, 1/4 cup white sugar. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes. Fill jars and seal.

Delicious and EASY. . .

Just made a wonderful oatmeal cake for today, Easter Sunday! I was going to make Grandma's fruit cocktail cake (thanks to Aunt Teresa for giving me the recipe), but Grandma made the cake at Christmas, so I think I'll keep it for then. The oatmeal cake is so delicious, and so EASY--as in, "If-I-can-make-it-anyone-can"! My Aunt Dona used to make these cakes for church homecomings, and when we would visit, she would make one just for me! Sometimes, she would make 2 cakes, and let me take one home. It was such a treat for a little girl from the country! Here is the recipe:

Cake:


1 cup quick-cooking oatmeal
1 1/2 cups boiling water
pat of butter

Add water and butter to oatmeal and let stand. While the oatmeal is cooking, mix the following:

1 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 cup flour (I use self-rising)
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg

Mix and add oatmeal. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Spread topping onto cake and brown under broiler for about 1 minute (Keep your eye on it!).

Topping:

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup of cream, or evaporated milk
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup coconut

Delicious! It's especially delicious just out of the oven! HAPPY EASTER!