CLICK HERE to respond to newsletter replies, requests and tips. Please include date of newsletter, name of recipe and number of servings.  Remember to include your name within the message as well.

Hi Nancy,
I too enjoy any information from whatever your fans send in, as I need other advice from people who have been there, done that as to some of their experiences so please keep all the helpful information coming to us. It is so nice to hear of items that people have had experience with other than just food.

I too am so sorry for the loss of your brother as I can see you have a loving & caring family and wish you all comfort in knowing so many love you.
Lois in Virginia

I want to thank all the members that have been so supportive both emotionally and several contributions to the raining day fund to keep the site online. I had all the the email addresses and the snail mail addresses together. Importunely the information is sitting on my desk in Amarillo.
Nancy

In the July 8 newsletter Maggie B mentioned a 1/2 lb. meatloaf that she cooks in her toaster oven. I would love to have this recipe as my husband and I are empty nesters yet I can't seem to stop making family-sized meals. Also if possible is this recipe adaptable to a regular oven or only for toaster ovens?

Also Karen SW Arkansas posted her sweet tea recipe. Love the stuff but worry about the calories. Is this recipe adaptable to using Splenda? Would it be equal measurements for regular sugar?
Linda Boyles, Fairborn Ohio

July 1--Scalloped Tomatoes for Ann in Texas
This is a recipe I grew up with. We always had a big garden and canned all our fruits and vegetables. So we used homed canned tomatoes. This is about the only way we used home canned tomatoes. As this was before WW 11 and we were never introduced to pasta until about 1950. I still fix this for my family.

SCALLOPED TOMATOES
1 quart tomatoes or large can
Put in sauce pan on med. high heat. Add 1 tsp. sugar, & 1/2 tsp. soda and 1 cup half and half. (I use whole milk) add enough stale bread cubes to thicken. ( I sometimes use soda crackers) when I don't have enough bread cubes. The half and half is the best but I try and save a few calories when I can. Salt and Pepper to taste. Heat and serve. AK from CA

The following article from the FDA cautions about using Quinine for leg cramps.
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01521.html

Nancy, I hope some of your faithful readers can help with a problem I have. Two of my favorite kitchen throw rugs have lost much of their rubberized backing through washing and drying and general wear. I wonder if there is such a thing as a RUBBER SPRAY or PAINT to apply to renew their non-skid character? I will appreciate any help-- with such a great, practical and alert group we're all part of, if there is such a product, at least one of you will know!! Thanks, Nancy for all your hard work. You have many, many friends and admirers who look forward to this letter every day!!
Sandy in Bountiful

I got to an article on your website that had the recipe on how Dresback's Steak House in Grand Island, Nebraska, aged their steaks for 14 days. (They have been out of business for a number of years.) Now I cannot find that information; I believe it was on the exchange newsletter part. I did not write the site down because I thought I could easily re-access it, but I couldn't. Please email the article or the exact site to me,
thank you. Judie Lindburg

BunnyFace you will LOVE the Taste of Homes magazines. I keep all of them and look back through them to try new things. It's a fabulous magazine. I want to try the Butter Pecan Sauce, that sounds wonderful to me. I have to pick up some pecans when I go to the store next. I have a couple of summer time favorite recipes that I got from www.allrecipes.com and have been making them for a few years now. They are family favorites now. I hope you enjoy them too. Thanks Nancy for the wonderful newsletter, you do a fabulous job. Have fun with your family. That is always a nice treat. We have a family reunion every year and look forward to seeing all the family. Have a great day everyone.
Laurie~ Muskegon,MI

Hungarian stuffed peppers
1/3 cup ground Italian sausage
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3/4 tablespoon garlic salt
3 tablespoons grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/3 cup Italian-style dry bread crumbs
1 tablespoon olive oil
6 Hungarian hot peppers, cored and seeded

Place sausage in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, mix together the sausage, cream cheese, garlic salt, Romano cheese, oregano, basil, bread crumbs and olive oil. Stuff the peppers with the sausage mixture. Place on a baking sheet, and bake in the preheated oven 20 to 25 minutes, until the stuffing is lightly brown and bubbly.

Blueberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake
1 - 10 inch Bundt pan
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1/4 cup white sugar
3 eggs
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I use 2 tsp)
1-1/4 cups blueberries (I use about 2 cups)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10 inch Bundt pan.

In a large bowl, stir together cake mix and sugar. Make a well in the center and pour in eggs, cream cheese, oil and vanilla. Beat on low speed until blended. Scrape bowl, and beat 4 minutes on medium speed. Stir in blueberries. Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
Source: www.allrecipes.com
Laurie~ Muskegon,MI

Doris, Oklahoma City thank you for your quick reply. I did read your post regarding the museum with the onyx colored stoneware, but I wasn’t sure that if food wasn’t being cooked on it if it was ruining the stone because it wasn’t getting properly seasoned. I am happy to know that I can still use it!

My neighbor attended a party where the hostess served fruit with a dip that was very yummy. It was orange flavored, she asked the host for the recipe and she said that it had tang, mayo and something else in it. She does not know the measurements nor the something else. I am hoping that someone out here has the recipe that they are willing to share with me.

Thank you in advance!
Gracie, Roch., NY

This recipe is from my sister Suzanne, who is a newsletter subscriber but evidently just wants to sit back and enjoy the fruits of others' labor (contributions) and not participate herself.

Suzanne's Coleslaw
1 bag (16 oz) cabbage-carrot coleslaw mix
1 jar (8 oz) mayonnaise
1/3 cup Ranch salad dressing
1 tsp sugar

Combine mayonnaise, Ranch dressing and sugar; mix well. Place cabbage-carrot slaw mixture in a large bowl. Stir in dressing. Refrigerate overnight.
Really delicious! Suzie is a GREAT cook!
grannym IL

grannym IL ,
I thought the grooms family was supposed to host the rehearsal dinner also, that is why I was so caught by surprise when it got dumped on me. The grape salad is a wonderful idea tho. thank you so much for suggesting it. according to the weather that we are currently having, it will probably be atleast between 90 & 95 degrees that day, if not hotter.
Nedra in VA

For Doris in Oklahoma City,
My daughter has been a Pampered Chef consultant for over 12 years. I asked her help and here is what she said. Hi Doris. My name is Angela. While the stone may look black and ugly, it is completely fine to use. It is probably one of the most seasoned stones you will ever find--and that's a good thing! It got that way because you left it in the oven without food on it. Stoneware tends to season in places where the food is NOT. In the past, when this happened, some consultants told their customers to put them in the over during the self cleaning cycle. While this will turn a stone into looking brand new again, it is not recommended by our company because the high temperatures could cause the stone to break. If you try this, do so at your own risk. But rest assured that your stone is fine and you can cook on it all you want.

I cant seem to find a bread recipe that i used to always be able to get online, it was called Pennsylvania bread. As I recall, it was a plain white bread recipe, perhaps having some oatmeal in it, but I'm not sure about this.. do you have any idea of this bread recipe? I also seem to recall it was from a woman who said she was of Amish decent, and this was a short cut recipe to a friendship bread recipe, although it had none of the traditional friendship recipe components such as cinnamon and pudding mix and all of that. It was wonderful, and simple, but of course I can find it anymore. I used to search it by "Pennsylvania bread", thats what it was called. any help would be appreciated.....
thanks you! Janet

This is for Janette: This is not the true recipe for Tiramisu, but an easy one and I think very good.

TIRAMISU (Means pick-me-up in Italian) TOFFEE TORTE

Cake:
1 pkg white cake mix
1 cup strong brewed coffee, room temp
4 egg whites
* 4 Heath candy bars, (1.4 oz each), chopped

Frosting:
4 oz cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup sugar
2 cups whipping cream
1/3 cup chocolate syrup
1/4 cup plus 6 Tbsp strong brewed coffee,room temp, divided
2 tsp vanilla extract
*1 Heath candy bar (1.4 oz), chopped


Line 2 greased 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper and grease the paper; set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat the cake mix, coffee and egg whites on low speed until moistened. Beat on high for 2 min. Fold in chopped candy bars. Pour into prepared pans.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 min. or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 min. before removing from pans to wire racks. When cool, split each cake into two horizontal layers.

For frosting, in a chilled mixing bowl beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add the whipping cream, chocolate syrup, 1/4 cup of coffee and vanilla. Beat on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 min.

Place one cake layer on a serving plate; drizzle with 2 Tbsp. of the remaining coffee. Spread with 3/4 cup frosting. Repeat twice. Top with fourth cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake with remaining frosting. Refrigerate overnight. Garnish with chopped candy bar. Store in the refrigerator. Yield
12-14 servings.

**I use the packages of Heath toffee bits.
Nancy in Montana

Nancy and all others, thanks for the info on a little something extra to add to creamed corn. I appreciate the help and suggestions.
Betty in ME

Hi all...this is in response to Doris, S. Indiana's request that I send the brand name of frozen creamed corn logs that I use in my sausage and corn dish. I dug one out the freezer to make sure, it is McKenzie's Southern Style Golden Creamed Corn. It is a 20 oz package that is a shaped in a log (or like a roll of sausage). I buy it at our local Wal*Mart Neighborhood Market, as well as the Supercenter. I bet any grocery that carries the McKenzie frozen veggies will have it or be able to get it on request. It's a wonderful product. I try to keep a few logs in the freezer at all times.
Make it a great day!
Lisa (East Texas)

Hello Nancy and everyone, I recently went to a 50th wedding anniversary and thought I would share with the newsletter family what I thought was a unique idea. Each person attending was given a booklet tied with a gold ribbon. The outside cover had "Around the (family name) table" and the couples name and wedding date under that. Inside the booklet was some of their favorite family recipes over the years, along with a comment on it's origin or whose favorite it was. I will include a recipe that I know is very good, since I have eaten them and they are wonderful. Bet you can't eat just one! :)
Doris, S. Indiana

Crescent Rolls
3/4 cup sugar
2 pkg. dry yeast
4-1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons salt
3/4 cup butter
2-1/2 cups very warm water
2 eggs
4 cups flour

Mix sugar, yeast, 4-1/2 cups of flour and salt together. Cut in butter with pastry cutter. Stir in warm water until fairly smooth. Add eggs and blend well. Stir in the remaining 4 cups of flour. Place in a greased bowl; cover with a cloth. Let rise for 4 to 5 hours or overnight.

Punch dough down and divide in half. Roll each half on a floured board into a circle about 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick. Cut into 16 pie-shaped pieces. Roll into crescent rolls. Place on a cookie sheet and cover. Let rise for 3 to 4 hours. Bake at 375 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes, until lightly

Nancy, Have you ever thought about printing a recipe book from all the recipes you get. I'm sure you would sell many on this site alone. Marlene

Comment
I gave it a thought but feel that the recipes belong to the members and are not for my profit. The newsletter is done because I enjoy compiling it each day. It gives me a great deal of joy to post it online.
Nancy

This is for Candy (July 7-8 newsletter)
I’m sorry I don’t have an exact recipe for deviled eggs. I make mine different every time I make them. It’s basically egg yolks, mayo, mustard, sometimes Worcestershire sauce, horse radish, fresh ground pepper, and the last time I made them I sprinkled the tops with celery salt. They are good with jalapeno slices or olive slices on them too. The thing that made them easy the last time I made them was doing the yolks in a bag. Just put everything in a zip-lock bag and squish with your hands. When everything is mixed together real good cut the corner of the bag and fill your egg whites. I couldn’t believe how easy it was, and no mess. Sorry Candy that is one food I don’t use a recipe for. Kind of like chili or meat loaf….no recipe for them either. Just dump!!!
Angie

Nancy,
When I read my recipe I realized my mistake in the amount of "orange juice" used, it is supposed to read 1 1/4 cup orange juice NOT 2/4 cups. Sorry about this. Barbara Ann in SE Texas

Chicken with Orange Sauce
2 nice Chicken Breasts (I use the Sam's Frozen and do not thaw)
About 3 tablespoons of Orange Marmalade
1 1/4 cup Orange Juice
Salt and Pepper to taste

Salt and Pepper chicken breasts and place in a Glass Anchor baking dish, spread orange marmalade on chicken breasts and pour orange juice over chicken. Bake at 325 F for about 1 hour. I like my chicken cooked completely (of course you can judge when the chicken is done to your liking. I cook white rice and spoon the juice over the rice. Barbara Ann in SE Texas

Hi Nancy, 

Since Nancylanders love Rice Krispie® Treats (who doesn’t) and they are great for summer treats and picnics (no-bake), I thought they might be interested in a baking guide with a bunch of interesting recipes like Cranberry White Chocolate, Strawberry, and Peanut Butter Chocolate. 
  

They can get it emailed to them here: http://www.preparedpantry.com/KrispieInfoPage.htm 

Dennis Weaver, The Prepared Pantry
208-745-7892

Hi Nancy--hope you and the kitties are enjoying your time away from home. Know your family is glad to have your company.

As it is blueberry season, I thought I'd send this along as it is a favorite of everyone that has eaten it. I have one friend who calls if she is coming for dinner or a party and asks if I will make it....and I do if the berries aren't to expensive. :)

Blueberry Cream Tart
Line a 10" tart pan with pie crust (I use the pie crust in the dairy case)--bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. (foil line over pastry to hold in place)

1 c. sour cream
2 T. flour
3/4 c. sugar
1 t. vanilla
1/4 t. salt
1-1/2 t. cinnamon
1 egg

Combine above with whisk and fold in 2 1/2 to 3 cups blueberries. Bake 400 degrees for 35 minutes.
Add topping and bake 15 minutes longer.

TOPPING
6 T. cold butter
6 T. flour
6 T. chopped nuts
3 Tablespoons of brown sugar or more to taste
~Bev in Michigan

I am looking for a recipe for Green Tomato Marmalade. I had this in a restaurant. It was fried green tomatoes with the green tomato marmalade on top then grilled shrimp on the very top. The green tomato marmalade was wonderful.

I enjoy this recipe site so much. Everyone is so nice and so helpful.
Thanks Nancy for all the hard work you do to provide it.
Eva... Longview, Tx.

Re:Does anyone know of a 1 qt. electric iced tea pot? Mr. Coffee used to make one. I used mine for years...but they no longer make it and I can't find another small one!
Thanks! Athena in DE


I saw them at Wal-Mart. Check there.
Lora

Dear Nancy;
You ENJOY you time in Az. it will do you good !!
For Athena in DE

I have a Mr. Coffee ice tea maker and is very different but toooo small for me. It came with 2 serving pitchers. The hot unit sets up on top of each pitcher to make ice tea. You can make tea and refrigerate that pitcher with lid while making another pitcher of tea. It works great but really too small for my use. You can have it if you just pay shipping and I'll get another one.

About cucumbers;
my version besides vinegar water and sugar is; A 16 oz. carton of sour cream . To it I add horseradish to tastes some dill 2,3 or 4 cucumbers sliced, 1 tablespoon soysauce and 2 tablespoons cider vinegar. Mix well, refrigerate 2 or more hours. Very simple but sooo good.
Enjoy !! Judy Montana

Thanks Nancy for including info as to how to get Watkins products. My mother introduced this brand to me years before she passed and I have been using both the old products as well as the new ones. That said, can anyone help me with some good recipes for ranch dressing Thanks , Rose in Texas

Comment
I love the Watkins product line. There pepper is the best. The vanilla is great too. They have products you can count on and know they are quality products. If you want to know more either click on the site or email Brenda.
Nancy

To Nancy in Montana: I believe I first posted the hint regarding soap under sheets for leg cramps. I did get that hint from Dr Gott's medical column. I completely forgot to give him the credit (or the person that first wrote to him and letting him know how much it helped). I'm glad Nancy, that credit was given where credit is due.
Agatha (Ontario, Canada)

Dear Nancy,
I have wrote in and asked if anyone could give me the recipe for the filling or icing you put in Lady Locks but haven't seen where none responded, I have been having some trouble with my computer and I don't know if you are receiving the letters or not. Keep up the good work you have been doing a GREAT job, and May God Bless You.
Sally in PA

Holiday Crunch Drops
1 cup Butter or Margarine
1 cup Granulated Sugar
1 cup Light Brown Sugar, packed
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups sifted All-Purpose Flour
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 level teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 cup Coconut
2 cups Quick Oatmeal
2 cup Rice Krispies
1 - 12 oz. package of chips either Chocolate, Peanut butter, or Butterscotch..your favorite

Cream shortening and gradually add sugar to creamed shortening. Add beaten eggs. Add vanilla.

Sift flour, salt, baking powder, and soda. Then by hand add oatmeal, coconut, and rice krispies.

Add Chips last. and drop 1/2 teaspoons on greased floured cookie sheet. Bake 350* in preheated oven 12 to 15 minutes.
Joan B

Hi all Just got back from the beach where my brother had surgery and wanted to warn all whenever you leave for any vacation or length of time turn your water off to the house. I came home and had a major mess. The commode had a break of some kind on its own while I was gone and the water went through 3 floors and my kitchen ceiling was on the floor and counter tops and floor was 3 inches deep in water when I walked in.I will never leave again without turning off water to house. For Lou, Fl. Thank you for the Tortilla Soup recipe. I too will save it til cool weather. For Kat in Colorado I am so sorry for your loss and will keep you in my prayers. I will also try your Creole Rice recipe.Thank all of you for the grilling recipes since I have lost my stove among a lot of other stuff. Oh well it could have been worse. Before I left someone from NC wanted some ice cream recipes. Here is one for Cheerwine drink that is made in
Salisbury NC

Home made Cheerwine Ice Cream
1 (2 liter) Cheerwine
1 c. sugar
1 can Eagle Brand condensed milk
1 carton whipping cream( Pint)
Enough reg. milk to fill ice cream container

Mix this and put in Ice Cream freezer, freeze, and enjoy some really good ice cream.
Bobbie in NC

My sister told me that in a recent newsletter that there was a sampler pack for Watkins offered.  What newsletter was it posted in?
Dixie in TN

It was posted in the July 7-8, 2007 newsletter.

Re: Bunnyface in 7-03-07 letter
For a peanut butter topping, simply thin peanut butter with simple syrup until consistency you desire. Owned soft ice cream business for years and this is what we used as topping, and to also make peanut butter ice cream. Simple syrup is 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil until sugar is dissolved. Also can be used to sweeten tea, lemonade, without the grainy texture of regular sugar. Just refrigerate. Last forever.
Carolyn from Edon

Hi! Just to say I got a giggle out of the letter signed "A 75 year old gal, Corinne" This Corinne, (I), will be 75 the 19 of this month and was tickled to see there's another of the same vintage! I was wondering if she was named for the actress Corinne Griffith, too- - a real old-timer!!
Corinne, Murrieta, CA , originally Pennsylvania.

Hi Nancy,- This has nothing to do with recipes but would like to know how you traveled with your kitties in the car. I hope to be moving about 800 miles away and my biggest worry is my cats in the car. The only time they are ever in a car is on the way to the vet and THEY KNOW IT!!! And I don't recognize the songs they are singing but sound alot like the music now days. Any suggestions will be appreciated
Thanks, Judy

Comment
Both Ditto and Siggy did very well on the trip to Arizona. I got two carriers and put their favorite pallet in them. I asked my vet for a mild tranquilizer. I gave them the tranquilizer about 20 minutes before I loaded them in the car. They traveled very well. Siggy had made the trip several years ago when I came out for a month. One thing to remember is to make sure you have identification on them where you are going so if they get loose you can be notified.

Siggy and Ditto are doing well here in Arizona. I am staying in a studio apartment attached to the back hangar at my sister-in-law's house-hangar. Yesterday I introduced Betty's dog, Ginger, to the cats. Ditto loves all dogs and Siggy thinks all dogs are evil. Siggy, hid behind the TV and watched Ginger from a distance. I sat on the bed with Ginger beside me. Ginger acted like if she didn't see the cats then they didn't exist. In about 15 minutes Ditto jumped up on the bed with Ginger and began playing with Ginger's tail. Ginger gave Ditto a big Slurp with her tongue on Ditto's head and they have been friends ever since. Siggy has choosen to view Ginger from behind the TV. Both Siggy and Ditto are very happy and content here. They love the wide window ledges and the ability to watch me coming and going from the apartment and the rabbits and birds outside.

I do not know whether I will be out here for 2 weeks or 6 weeks. I will stay as long as my sister-in-law needs me.
Nancy

To Nancy in Montana, what brand of floor steamer did you purchase and can it be used on carpet as well as floors?
Dixie in AL

July 2 news letter from Marie-Pembroke, MA
I too suffer from nightly leg cramps, from the chemo drugs I took years ago that I was allergic to. In Dec. I was taking care of a dear friend of mine and the hospice nurse told her about STOPAIN, I buy it at the pharmacy dept. at Wal Mart You might have to order it. but you do not need a prescription. Longs and Walgreen also might carry it. Stopain is comes in a spray bottle.

This past week while visiting with my daughter in Montana, she introduced me to a hand held vibratory. It worked like magic in just a couple of seconds. I just applied the vibratory on the area that was hurting so, So that is on my list to go get one today.

I have used the bar of soap under my bottom sheet for years. It might help but I am still bothered with leg cramps and the STOPAIN and the Vibrator does help my problem. I'm not sure what a vibrator will cost but it is clean and easy to use.

Thanks Nancy for all you do for all of us, and never ask for anything in return. God Bless You
Hope everyone had a healthy safe fourth.
AK from CA

Comment
Please check with your medical doctor to see if this is suitable for you and your specific medical condition.
Nancy