Bakin' Bits
By Bonnie Dick
THE WHITE KNUCKLE FLIER RIDES AGAIN!
The husband and I have just returned from a 10-day carribean cruise, where the highlights of the trip were seeing Larry in a tuxedo, and the fifth day out my winning over $6,000 on a slot machine. Just little stuff, folks. Everyone should have those 15 minutes of fame when they put sixty-four one hundred dollar bills into your hand. I couldn't rest when we returned until it was safely in the bank. And no, I didn't spend it. I brought it ALL home!
Of course, the dinners on the ship are gourmet, and since we are meat loaf people, that was no treat for us. We were anxious to get home and eat food whose name we could pronounce. Generally, the food was pretty good though. Larry found a place to get chili dogs every day, and the ship makes their own ice cream. Need I say more?
White knuckle flier that I am, I was squished in my seat from San Juan to Pittsburgh by a not so nice lady who had her seat all the way back despite my saying, "Excuse me?" So just before we landed, I gave her a couple good pokes with my knees into the back of her seat.
One of the first things I made when we returned was my mother's recipe we call Mom's Casserole. I hope it becomes a family favorite of yours as well.
MOM'S CASSEROLE
1 16 oz. pkg. wide noodles
2 lb. ground chuck
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can Creamed corn
1 lg. can tomatoes (squished)
1 large can tomato sauce
1 tsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. oregano
salt and pepper
sugar
While noodles are boiling according to pkg. directions, brown meat and onion seasoned with salt and pepper. Meanwhile, in your large casserole dish, mix the squished tomatoes, corn, tomato sauce and oregano together. When meat is brown, squish it up a little with the potato masher, and add to the casserole dish along with the cooked noodles. I generally like to add a little sugar to take away the acidity in the tomato, so add that to your personal taste. Cover and bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven, and place slices of american cheese over the top and put the lid back on for 5 minutes. I generally have garlic bread to go along with this meal. This casserole is extra tasty warmed up too.
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This next recipe came from an Italian lady who lived next door to me many years ago. It's a little heavy because of the oil, but it has a really good flavor.
KATHY'S APPLE CAKE
3 eggs 1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. sugar 1 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. oil 5 apples, peeled, pared, and sliced
2 c. reg. flour 1/2 c. nuts (opt.)
Mix all ingredients and pour into 9 x 11 pan sprayed with Pam. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until brown. Serve with Cool Whip on top.
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Food for Thought: Learn from the mistakes of others - you can't live long enough to learn them all yourself.
