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Judy in Buffalo, actually I am looking for a sugar free pecan pie bars recipe. Our annual Senior Citizen Christmas Party is coming up and our church always bakes cookies for the event. I am in charge of the Sugar Free cookies/treats. I have a wonderful sugar free pecan pie recipe and was wondering if anyone knew how to change it from pie to bars that would be firm enough to eat with your fingers like cookies. Thanks for the tip! I may try to experiment and see what I can come up with.

In the meantime, does anyone have any great sugar free or diabetic cookie recipes they would like to share? The party is the 1st Saturday in December, so time is running out! Thanks in advance, Dee in So, Il

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Nancy, for our Thanksgiving I always make a few dishes that have been handed down to me by my Mother and Grandmother. I also add one or two new dishes each year just to make it interesting! I hope this is what you were talking about on today’s newsletter about Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions! For our turkey, we buy a turkey breast, bone in, and fix it in our counter top cooker.

Cranberry Whip T & T*
from www.thecuttingboard.com
posted by azlinda

2 cups cranberries
2 cups miniature marshmallows
2 cups crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup whipping cream, whipped, or 2 cups Cool Whip®

Grind cranberries in a food processor or blender. Mix cranberries, marshmallows, pineapple and sugar and refrigerate overnight. Fold in whipped cream or Cool Whip®. Refrigerate covered.

*I used Cool Whip - the 8 oz. container and also added 1/2 to 3/4 c. chopped pecans. This is pecan country, ya know! Posted on Nancy’s message board under Holiday Chris in NM

Chris's Sausage Stuffing - TNT
1 c. diced celery
1 c. diced onion
2 (6 oz. ea.) bags Mrs. Cubbison's stuffing mix OR 1 lg. loaf day old French bread, cubed
1 c. butter, melted
1 c. chicken broth
1/4 to 1/3 lb. bulk sausage, browned w/ celery, onion & mushrooms
1 can sliced mushrooms, drained OR 1 container fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1 med. apple, peeled and chopped
sage, celery salt, marjoram & poultry seasoning to taste

Sauté' veggies and apple in butter, then add meat and brown. Add seasoning and mix all ingredients well. Place mixture in baking dish and bake, covered, 45 minutes at 350º F. Remove cover and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes. This is also posted on Nancy’s message board under Holiday.
Chris in NM

Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie
9 inch Pie crust, unbaked
2 eggs
1 can of pumpkin
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 2/3 cup of evaporated milk or light cream

Heat oven to 425F. Beat eggs slightly, beat in remaining ingredients. Pour into pie crust. Bake 15 minutes. Reduce oven to 350F. Bake 45 minutes longer. Knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool and serve with whipped cream. Source: http://www.abbyskitchen.co.uk Chris in NM

The first time I used regular potatoes like it called for, but the other day I made the potato buds and used them. Much faster and so good!!!!! Enjoy!

Irish Potato Casserole
5 med. potatoes, peeled
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
4 oz. sour cream
1/4 c. butter, melted
1 bunch diced green onions
3 shakes garlic powder
salt to taste
paprika

Cook potatoes in boiling water until tender. Drain and mash. Beat cream cheese w/ mixer until smooth. Add remaining ingredients, except paprika and beat till combined. Spoon into a lightly buttered 2 1/2 qt. casserole dish. Sprinkle with paprika. Cover and refrigerate overnight (I didn't do this). Bake, uncovered, at 350º F for 30 minutes, or till lightly browned. If you refrigerate overnight, remove from the fridge 15 minutes before baking. On Nancy’s message board under Veggies. Chris in NM

The sweet potatoes, I just peel, cut in large chunks and bake with butter, salt and pepper till the potatoes are done. We don’t care for all the toppings, because these potatoes are already sweet.

We either have green beans fixed like the one below or an asparagus casserole. Both are posted on Nancy’s message board under Veggies.

Celebration Green Beans – T & T
1-1/2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed – I didn’t use this much
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup sliced onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs - plain
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Paprika, optional

Place beans in a steamer basket; place in a saucepan over 1 in. of water. *Bring to a boil; cover and steam for 7-8 minutes or until crisp-tender. Transfer to a 2-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Combine the oil, vinegar, salt and pepper; drizzle over beans and toss to coat. Set aside. In a small skillet, sauté onion and garlic in butter until tender. Remove from the heat; stir in bread crumbs and cheese. Sprinkle over beans. Sprinkle with paprika if desired. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until topping is lightly browned. Yield: 8 servings. From Taste of Home * I didn’t steam the beams first because I figured it would make them too mushy after baking, so just mixed it all, after sautéing the garlic and onion and continued with the rest of the recipe. This was very good! Chris in NM

Asparagus Casserole
4 cans asparagus spears, reserve juice
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
8 hard boiled eggs
grated cheddar cheese - enough for 2 layers
saltine crackers
pepper to taste

Mix mushroom soup with enough asparagus juice to make it creamy. Set aside. Layer 2 cans of the asparagus spears on the bottom of the large casserole dish. Slice and layer four of the hard boiled eggs on top of the spears. Gently spread 1/2 of the soup mixture on the top. Crumble saltine crackers on the next layer to the desired thickness. Cover with a layer of cheddar cheese. Repeat all the layers except the cheese. Bake at 350º F for 30 - 40 minutes. Remove from oven and add the last layer of cheese. Return to the oven and bake until the cheese is a golden brown. By the way, I usually cut this recipe in ½ for just the 2 of us.
Chris in NM

Here is another salad I make sometimes. It is so good and can also be used as a dessert!

Pineapple Cream Cheese Salad
1 small box lime gelatin
3 ounces cream cheese
2 cups boiling water (use drained pineapple juice
plus water for total amount)
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
1 pint whipping cream, whipped, or nondairy topping*

Combine gelatin, cream cheese, water and marshmallows. Beat at medium speed until melted. Cool. Add pineapple. Refrigerate until mixture jells. Fold in whipped cream or topping.

*I used 1 package of Dream Whip, prepared. Posted on Nancy’s message board under Jell-O.
Chris in NM

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Turtle Bars
1 German chocolate Cake mix, prepared per pkg. directions
1 stick margarine
1/2 cup evaporated milk
14 ozs. caramels
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup pecans

Pour half of cake batter into a greased and floured 9"x 13" pan. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Melt butter, milk and caramels together. Pour over baked cake and sprinkle with chips and nuts. Top with reserved cake batter. Bake at 250° for 20 minutes, then at 350° for 10 minutes.
JL in South Jersey

Autumn Soup
1 lb. hamburger
1 cup onion, chopped
4 cups water
1 cup carrots, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
1 cup potatoes, chopped (or hash browns)
2 tsps. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 can tomatoes (optional)

Brown hamburger and drain. Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes.
JL in South Jersey

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Hello Nancy,
Here is a recipe I made. Everyone that tried it likes it. Hope you Enjoy. I really like getting your recipes and newsletters. Have a good and safe Thanksgiving.
Brenda C. From Mill Run, Pa

Apple Filled Cookies

Filling:
6 apples peeled and sliced
1/2 C. Splendid or 3/4 C. sugar
2 T. cinnamon
3/4 C. water
cornstarch

Put in a sauce pan apples, sugar, cinnamon and water. Cook over med. heat til apples are tender. Mix in a small bowl enough cornstarch and water to pour over apple mixture to make thick. Cook for 3 minutes and set to side.

Cookie Dough:
3 C. flour, all purpose
3/4 C. Splendid or 1 C. sugar
pinch of salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda

Mix dry ingredients together.

1 egg, beaten
1/2 C. shortening
1 T. vanilla
1 C. milk

Preheat oven 350.
Mix in bowl flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Add egg, shortening, vanilla and milk to flour mixture.

Roll dough out on flour surface to 1/4 in. thick. Cut the size circle cookie you want. Put cookies on cookie sheet. Top with Apple filling what you want. (3 in. circle I put a Tablespoon filling.) Then top the filling with another cookie and press around edges of cookie to seal. Bake 7 to 10 minutes or til golden brown. Make about 4 dozen cookies.

I like making with berries.
Enjoy! Brenda C. From Mill Run, Pa

Hi Nancy, I just want to say how much I'm enjoying your newsletter. Especially your archives. You are doing a great job.

I do have a question. What size is a #2 can?
Dee in Ohio

Hello Nancy:
Sorry about not adding my name when I sent you the recipe for "any fruit pie".
Anyway after reading more of new letter, I see that da from TN is looking for a apple cake. This is a wonderful TNT cake and very fool proof. Hope they will enjoy this one.
Best regards, Helen Brown/Saunemin, IL

TNT Fresh Apple Cake
1 1/2 cups oil
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Baking soda
1 tsp. Vanilla extract
2 ½ cups flour
3 cups apples, sliced
2 tsp. Baking powder
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1-cup nuts, chopped

Mix all ingredients together and bake in 9x13-inch pan @ 350? oven for 50 to 60 minutes. Cool and serve with Cool Whip or dust with powder sugar.
Helen Brown/Saunemin, IL

Hello Nancy:
Lena in Illinois was looking for a pear pie recipe. Here is a recipe that lets me use the fruits as they are available during the year. Hope you enjoy it.

Note: this is for a 9" DEEP DISH PIE

Any fruit pie (apples, peaches, pear)

Crust:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup veg.oil
2 tablespoons milk

Mix all together and press this mixture into a 9" pie plate up to the rim.

Filling:
For peach: 2- 28 oz. cans of peach slices; drained (if fresh fruit is used, 5 cups)

For apple: 4-5 cups apples; peeled and sliced

For pear: 2-28 oz. cans of pears; drained and sliced-for pear pie, (if fresh fruit is used, 5 cups)

1 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour + 1 teaspoon corn starch (mix together)
1 teaspoon cinnamon (for apple or peach)- for pear pie use ginger in place of cinnamon
1/4 cup water

Mix together with fruit and pour into pie shell.

Topping:
1 stick margarine; cut into small pieces
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Using pastry blender mix well and put over top of pie.

Bake @ 400 F for 15 minutes. Lower temp to 350 and bake for 50 minutes.

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Dear Nancy. Sue in Il. asked about buttermilk in 11-10 N/L.

I have found my evening meds. go down easier if I drink a little buttermilk with them.

Question--has anyone stored the cake/bread in canning jars for any length of time and then opened. I am thinking about baking up a few jars and storing them in case we have another ice storm this year, and are without heat for days, or in some cases weeks. Don't want to do this and them discover they are bad when I need them. Margaret, Tulsa

In the 11/17/08 newsletter, da from TN was looking for a fresh apple cake recipe. Here are three you might like to look at.
Connie in TX

Fresh Apple Cake
4 c. apples (peeled and chopped
2 c. sugar

Pour sugar over apples and let stand for 1 hour.

Coat apples with this mixture:
3 c. flour
1/2 t. nutmeg
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. salt
2 t. baking soda

Add:
1 c. oil
1 t. vanilla
1 c. chopped nuts
2 well beaten eggs

Mix all this by hand, do not use a mixer. Pour into a greased and floured tube pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour 15 min.
Connie in TX

Apple Cake
3 c. flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1 c. oil
3 eggs
2 1/4 c. white sugar OR 1 c. brown sugar + 1 1/4 c. white sugar
2 t. vanilla
2 c. pecans, chopped
3 c. chopped, peeled apples
1/2 c. coconut

Combine flour, soda and salt; set aside. Combine oil, eggs and vanilla. Beat at med. speed; add flour mix. Fold in nuts, apples and coconut. Batter will be thick. Spoon into a greased and floured tube pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hr. 20 min. Cool in pan 10 min. May also be baked in a 9 x 13 pan for 40-45 minutes.
Connie in TX

Apple Cake and Glaze
3 eggs
2 c. sugar
1 c. oil
3 c. flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. cinnamon
3 c. peeled and chopped apples
1/2 c. pecans, chopped

Mix in order given. Bake in a greased and floured tube pan at 350 degrees for 1 hr. 20 min.

Brown Sugar Glaze
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 T. evaporated milk
2 T. butter
Combine ingredients and bring to a boil, stirring constantly for 2 minutes. Cool to lukewarm and pour over cake after it has been removed from the tube pan.
Connie in TX

Hi everyone,
I was given some frozen jumbo pre-cooked shrimp and I don’t know what to make with them. Does anyone have any TNT recipes? Can they be used in hot dishes? Thanks for your help and Thank You Nancy for this wonderful website.
Janet, Tn

Fresh Apple Cake
2 c sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 c oil
2 tsp vanilla
3 c chopped and peeled apples
3 c flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3 c flour

Blend sugar, eggs, vanilla and oil. Sift dry ingredients together and blend with sugar mixture, add chopped apples. Pour into greased floured pan and bake 1 hour at 350. The cake mixture will be very thick, almost like paste however, the results is a very moist delicious cake.
Heather

 
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Nancy,
Lena in Illinois wanted a pear pie recipe in the Nov 11 news letter.

Pear Pie
3 cups pears sliced
one tbl lemon juice
1 cup self rising flour
1 cup sugar
1 or 2 eggs
6 tbls butter i n baking dish

Sprinkle lemon juice over sliced pears. Mix flour sugar and eggs. Pour batter over
bake 325 -350 for 30 to 35 min
Sue B /Ga

Mock Champagne Punch

2 - bottles of 25.4 oz. of bottled, non-alcoholic, "sparkling" white grape juice, chilled.
2 - 2 liter bottles of ginger ale, chilled.
1 - 32 oz. bottle of white grape juice, chilled.
1 - 6 oz. can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed & undiluted.

Combine all of the "chilled" ingredients in a large punch bowl. Add frozen lemonade. Stir well. Add ice ring.
Yields: 6 & 1/2 quarts.

This is a very light and fresh, non-alcoholic, punch.
Be very careful when selecting the "sparkling" white grape juice vs. the regular white grape juice - two different kinds.
Virginia in Norfolk, Virginia

For Holiday Gift Giving
Note: 5 ingredients
Have clean decanters or bottles prepared.
* Use inexpensive vodka & brandy.
Prepare labels & holiday decorations for gift-giving

Homemade Amaretto
2 cups water
2 cups sugar
2 cups brandy
2 cups vodka
3-4 teaspoons almond extract

In medium saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in vodka, brandy, almond extract. Transfer to tightly covered decanters or bottles.
Virginia in Norfolk, Virginia

Scotch Fudge
2 packages (6 oz.) butterscotch morsels
1 (12 oz.) jar smooth peanut butter
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk

In double boiler, combine butterscotch morsels and peanut butter. Melt.
Add sweetened condensed milk. Stir. Turn into 8 inch foil lined pan. Chill. Cut into 64 pieces. Note: 3 ingredients, fast to prepare, nice for holidays
Virginia in Norfolk, Virginia

For "Sue in Illinois"
Re: Buttermilk - recipe to use up extra buttermilk

Orange-Pineapple Jello
1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple, undrained
2 tablespoons sugar
1 (6 oz.) package orange Jell-O
2 cups buttermilk
1 (8 oz.) carton Cool Whip
1 cup chopped pecans

Combine pineapple and sugar in saucepan. Stir, bringing to a boil. Remove from heat.
Add orange Jell-O and stir. Cool. Add buttermilk and stir. Fold in nuts. Fold in Cool. Whip. Spoon into mold or pan. Chill

Virginia in Norfolk, Virginia

Lena in Illinois, here is your recipe for pear pie. Yes, it looks like it is made just like an apple pie.

I think it was Dee that wanted to know about a pear pie. I make a pear pie the same way that I make an apple pie. Peel the pears, slice very thin, mix with sugar, about 1/2 cup, and flour, just to cover the pears, cinnamon about 1/2 tsp. or nutmeg. Put in pastry, cover with pastry, and cook until top is brown. I usually cook mine 30 to 45 min. Hope this helps
Betty T. Ga. In the 9/30/2006 newsletter (There is also another pear pie recipe a little lower down in the same newsletter.) Cooks.com also has several pear pie recipes. Chris in NM

da from TN in the 11/17 newsletter is looking for a fresh apple cake recipe. This looks so yummy!

Amish Fresh Apple Cake
1/2 c. chopped pecans
2 1/2 c. finely chopped apples, such as Granny Smith
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. all purpose flour
HOT CARAMEL SAUCE
1/2 c. butter
1 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. evaporated milk

In a large bowl, cream the butter. Add the sugar and beat until fluffy. Add the egg and beat until well blended. Mix in the soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add the flour and stir just until blended. Stir in the apples and nuts. Pour into an oiled 9" round cake pan and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes until the top springs back when touched lightly with your finger. Serve with Hot Caramel Sauce. In a saucepan, melt the butter, brown sugar and salt. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla and milk. Serve warm sauce over cake. Serves 8.
Chris in NM

Marti in the 11/17 newsletter is looking for a German goulash soup recipe. I found 2 different ones for you, both from Abby’s Kitchen! Both look very good!

Cabbage Patch Soup January 2008
3 lbs. lean ground beef
4 (14.5 oz) cans stewed tomatoes
4 (15 oz) cans kidney beans
6 medium onions, sliced thin
1 cup celery, chopped
4 cups cabbage, coarsely chopped
3 cups water
3 teas. salt
2 Tbls. Old Bay seafood seasoning
4 teas. chili powder
1 teas. Cinnamon

Brown ground beef. Drain. Put all ingredients in a large pot. Heat to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour. Stir occasionally. Serve. Enjoy Barb - La Porte, IN Source:
http://www.abbyskitchen.co.uk Chris in NM

Kielbasa Sauerkraut Soup October 2006
2 strips chopped bacon
2 medium onion, minced
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1, 1 lb., can sauerkraut, drained and rinsed
6 cup bouillon
2 cups potatoes, peeled and diced
1 bay leaf
1 lb. ready to eat Kielbasa
chopped parsley
pepper

Put bacon in heavy 4 quart kettle or Dutch oven. Sauté on low heat for 2 minutes. Add onion and sauté 3 minutes. Add next 5 ingredients, bring to a boil and simmer 35 minutes. Add Kielbasa and simmer 15 minutes. Remove Kielbasa and discard casing and cut into ½" slices and return to soup. Season to taste with pepper and parsley. Susie Indy
Source: http://www.abbyskitchen.co.uk
Chris in NM

Sue, Illinois in the 11/17 newsletter is looking for recipes to use buttermilk in. I sent in a recipe the other day for buttermilk/sour cream sugar cookies. That would be good! Also you could use the buttermilk in place of the sour cream and make hamburger stroganoff! Whenever I need buttermilk I don’t buy it, I make the amount I need at the time. Take a 1 cup measuring cup and add 1 tbl. vinegar or lemon juice in. Pour milk in and let it sit on the counter till it thickens. There you have buttermilk! That’s a trick my Mom and Grandma taught me many years ago! Chris in NM

Nancy you take care and please don’t work too hard!
Chris in NM

Fresh Apple Cake
1/2 cup oil
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
4 cups chopped apples
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg ( I don't use )
1 cup pecans

Cream sugar and oil until creamy. Add eggs. Mix well. Add other dry ingredients. Stir in apples and nuts. Bake in preheated 350 oven for 45 minutes or until done. Frost with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting
1 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 box powder sugar
1 stick margarine
2 tsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups nuts, chopped ( I guess at how many nuts. 2 cups are too many for me)Beat all ingredients together with mixer until fluffy. Spread on cooled cake. The longer this sits the moister it is. If you can leave it along.

Chocolate Lovers Cheesecake
3 8 oz pkgs. cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups (12 oz) Hershey's minichips, divided
1 extra serving graham cracker crust (9 oz)
2 tbsp. whipping cream

Heat oven to 450. Beat cream cheese & sugar in large bowl until blended well. Add eggs & vanilla and beat well. Stir in 1 2/3 cups minichips. Pour into crust. Bake 10 minutes without opening oven door, reduce temperature to 250 continue baking 30 minutes or just until set. Remove from oven to wire rack. Cool completely. Cover; refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.

Place remaining 1/3 cup minichips & whipping crea in small micro bowl. Microwave at high 20-30 seconds or just until chips start to melt & mixture is smooth when stirred. Cool slightly; spread over top of pie.

Refrigerate 15 minutes or until topping is det. Cover, refrigerate leftover cheesepie, if there is any left. Around my house, there is hardly any left. I have a 6'5", 260 lb. son that could eat this whole thing by himself if we don't watch him. Everyone enjoy Thanksgiving.
Deb, AR

For Marti who requested Goulash Soup recipes

Hungarian Goulash
2 pound. beef chuck
1 teaspoon. salt
2 onions, white or yellow
2 Tablespoon. lard or shortening
2 Tablespoon. imported sweet paprika (most important to use real Hungarian paprika for ultimate flavor)
2 bay leaves
1 Quart. water
4 peeled and diced potatoes
1/4 teaspoon. black pepper
1 egg
6 Tablespoon. flour
1/8 teaspoon. Salt

Cut beef into 1 inch squares, add 1/2 teaspoon. salt. Chop onions and brown in shortening, add beef and paprika. Let beef simmer in its own juice along with salt and paprika for 1 hour. on low heat. Add water, diced potatoes and remaining salt. Cover and simmer until potatoes are done and meat is tender. Prepare egg dumpling batter:

Add flour to unbeaten egg and salt. Mix well. Let stand for 1/2 hour for flour to mellow. Drop by teaspoonful into Goulash. Cover and simmer 5 minutes after dumplings rise to surface.

Serve hot with dollops of sour cream.

Serves 6.

-DJ Joe La Cucina de Giuseppe

Interesting Slow Cooker Herbal Tea:
6 Lipton green tea/wild berry bags
6 black cherry flavored black tea bags
1 c. sugar
1 c. drained maraschino cherries ( can use 1/2 green and 1/2 red)
1 12 oz. can fruit soda

Mix all in crock pot. Fill to top w/ boiling water, turn on hi for 1 hr. Before serving take out tea bags & leave everything else. Can be served over ice in summer. It's good for you!
Athena in DE

Celebrity Chef Connection
Your foodie world is right here, with Barbara Nosek & Debbie Hall
New information and new videos every Wednesday by 5pm.
Demos, interviews with chefs and more.

Nancy it is always great to have newsletter to read when time is heavy. You can't do much with a sling on. I see the doctor on Wednesday, 11/19, and he will say what I can do or not. He is always surprised at what I can do and how well that I do it. The reactions that I had to the pain pill was not worth taking them. To Doris S. Indiana, Sylvia Scotland and Chris I am glad to be back. It will be a while before I can do anything with the newsletter.

Everyone have great day. Nancy and 4 legged associate take care, stay safe and warm.
Susie Indy

My Spumoni cake recipe got dropped from my note regarding Italian dinner menu ideas. I think my note may have been too long. Here it is:
Margo/Boston

Spumoni Cake
1 box yellow cake mix
1/4 cup oil
1 package instant vanilla pudding
1 cup sour cream
4 eggs
Mix the above for 2 minutes at medium sped. Mix well and separate into three bowls.

First bowl:
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 tsp vanilla
4-6 drops green food coloring

Second bowl:
1/2 cup chopped drained maraschino cherries
1 tsp almond extract
4-5 drops red food coloring

Third bowl:
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips, melted
1 tsp rum extract

Pour into greased bundt pan, green, then red, then chocolate layers. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Frost with Cream cheese frosting.

Great scaled down recipe for empty nesters.

Banana Bread
1-3/4 cups white or yellow cake mix from regular box
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2/3 cup water
1/2 cup mashed ripe banana (1 banana)
2 tbsp oil
1 egg

Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl. Pour into greased loaf pan. Bake 350 30-40 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
Judy/Buffalo

Margo/Boston,
Thank you so much for the Italian ideas. I would cetainly love to have the soup recipe and the Spumoni cake also. I have already planned on the macaroons, so great minds think alike! LOL
Gloria, Indiana

Christmas Stollen
Sprinkle 2 envelopes dry yeast in
1/4 cup warm water. Set aside to proof.

In the meantime, mix together in a large bowl:

1 cup milk, scalded and cooled to lukewarm
1/4 cup plus 2 T. sugar
1/2 large unpeeled orange, finely chopped in processor
1/2 large unpeeled lemon, finely chopped in processor
2 medium egg, beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons margarine, melted
1 teaspoon salt
Add yeast mixture

Gradually add in approximately:
5 1/4 cups bread flour
You may not need all the flour so add gradually.
Knead until smooth or use a food processor.

Place mixture in a bowl and add by hand:
1/3 cup raisins
1/2 cup candied chopped cherries
1/3 cup mixed candied fruit peels
OR
1/3 cup candied chopped pineapple
OR
1/3 cup of your favorite dried fruit(s)
1/2 cup cashews, chopped
1/2 cup pecans, chopped

Place dough in oiled bowl, turning to coat all surfaces. Cover with damp towel. Let stand until doubled, about 45 minutes.

Punch down dough. Turn out onto lightly floured surface and knead 2 minutes. Divide in half. Shape into 2 loaves. Place in greased 9x5 loaf pans and cover with damp towel. Let rise again for 30 minutes.. Bake 350 until golden, about 45 minutes.
Turn out onto rack to cool. Sift powdered sugar lightly over tops of loaves before serving.
Judy/Buffalo

Hi Nancy,
Hope all is well with you and your four-legged friend. Don't know what we'd do without our animals - they are so good for US.

Anyway , here's a hint for Leah - learned this just recently from my dil who is a total avocado freak. I had always halved the avocado, carefully left the seed in trying not to disturb it at all, and wrapped tightly in saran wrap.

Well, what Dawn does - and now me, too - is to cut the avocado in half, leave the seed in and just put in the refrigerator unwrapped. It keeps a long time this way and doesn't get mushy as it tends to when wrapped tightly. When you want to use the remainder, you just carefully cut a very thin slice off where it has turned brown - but it never gets soft.
Give it a try.

Just goes to show -- we're never too old to learn!
Rosemarie from rural Kansas City

Nancy and Nancylanders,
Just wanted to drop a note and let you know I found my mother's Lime Jell-O and Velveeta Recipe. A family friend's daughter had the recipe, that my mother had given her grandmother.

Lime and Velveeta Salad
The only thing that need to be changed are the amounts of nuts and Velveeta from the original post . It should be 1/2 C. of chopped nuts and 1/2 C. shredded Velveeta. That was the only thing I messed up in transitioning from the Double amounts given to me. Everything is posted corrected now.

Dissolve 1 small box of Lime Jell-O in 2 C. boiling water in mixing bowl. Stir in and melt 1/2 of a large bag, or 10 oz., marshmallows (I think I will use 1 jar of marsh. creme from now on) I'm lazy! Use electric mixer to incorporate well. Let this cool.
Fold in 1/4 C. mayo, 1 C. whipped whip cream (I used cool whip), 1/2 chopped pecans, 1/2 C. shredded Velveeta (I will buy already shredded for this from now on). Pour into serving dish to set. This can be doubled but just for the two of us, I didn't want to make a complete recipe.
Jae Central OK

DA from TN asked in Nov. 17th for a fresh apple cake recipe I have one that my family just loves and it's easy.

Apple Cake
grease a 9 x 13 baking dish
peel and slice thick 7 - 8 apples 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 yellow cake mix + 2 tsp cinnamon
mix as directed pour over apples
bake 35 - 40 minutes until done

While cake is baking melt half bag of caramels add a little milk (1/4 - 1/2 cup) to thin. remove cake for oven let cool about 20 minute.... while cake is still warm pour melted caramel over cake. Let cool all the way before cutting.
DF from Ga.

Here is a recipe for the soup for Marti

Goulash Soup
1 lb. ground beef
1 head cabbage
1 bunch carrots
5 potatoes
1 or 2 onions
1 bay leaf
3 tbsp. paprika
4 tbsp. flour
5 bouillon cubes or a packet of goulash seasoning
1 pinch caraway seed (optional)
Pepper & salt to taste

Sauté' onions and ground beef, drain fat, replace in large pot. Chop cabbage and carrots and potatoes very coarse. Add to meat and onions. Sauté' 5 whole minutes or until well mixed. Add bay leaf paprika, caraway seed, pepper, salt and flour; mix well. Add water until all vegetables are covered; add bouillon cubes or seasoning packet. Let boil until vegetables are done, serve with spaetzle, bread sticks or biscuits.
Sheryl in AZ

To Marti from the November 17th newsletter.

My husband was born in Germany, and his mother also likes to use the packets of seasonings from Germany. Here is a link to the goulash seasoning. There is a recipe on the package--maybe that is what you are looking for.

http://www.dcimports.com/algospmixnet.html
Sheryl in AZ

For Sue, in Illinois who wanted recipes for her buttermilk. from 11-17 Newsletter.

This is a recipe I got in 1992 when I made a family reunion cookbook, it was from one of my cousins. We have enjoyed these

Oatmeal Pancakes
Mix together in large bowl:
2 cups buttermilk
1 1/2 cups quick cooking oatmeal
Stir in 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 eggs beaten in a small bowl, and add to batter
Don't over mix. Cook on a hot grill. I use a little canola oil on my grill or fry pan. Note: we like a little cinnamon in the batter. but that is up to you. I like to serve them with Maple syrup.
Enjoy AK from CA

Hi Nancy and Ditto,
In the November 17th newsletter, Marilyn in Ohio asked about making cookies with cake mixes and she has a chocolate cake mix and peanut butter chips. Marilyn, you can use just about any flavor of cake mix to make cake mix cookies. Just add 2 eggs and ½ cup of oil to the cake mix and add any other ingredients, such as nuts, coconut, cherries, etc. I think that if you use the chocolate cake mix and add one cup of the peanut butter chips (along with the eggs and oil) you would have a good chocolate peanut butter chip cookie. Sounds good to me! Also, here is a cookie that Judy from Buffalo submitted to Nancy’s Recipe Exchange Newsletter a while back. I haven’t made it yet, but it surely does sound good.
AtlantaPat

Pina Colada Cookies
1 box Pineapple cake mix
2 large eggs
1/4 cup oil
1 cup coconut
1 cup nuts (your choice macadamia, pecan, walnut)
1/2 cup drained chopped maraschino cherries

Bake 350 for 8-10 minutes. Cool completely. Drizzle with melted white chocolate. If time is of the essence dust I dust powdered sugar on top before serving. They make a lovely presentation.

When making this cookie I use a small (1 Tbsp) size ice cream scoop instead of rolling them into balls by hand. This procedure is a time saver and makes the cookies uniform in size and bake equally.
This is from Judy/Buffalo.

Hi Nancy,
This is a reply to da from TN who asked in the November 17th newsletter for a recipe for a fresh apple cake. This is one that a lady I worked with some 30 years gave me. It is so good. I think that I will make it this Thanksgiving. I am going to Augusta to my brother's for Thanksgiving and was trying to decide what I want to bring. I think this will be one of the things I bring. Everyone there likes it. Thanks, AtlantaPat

Apple Pound Cake
(with caramel glaze)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

1 1/2 cup Crisco oil
3 eggs, slightly beaten
2 cups sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
1-teaspoon soda
1-teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups diced apples
1-cup nuts
1-cup coconut

In a large bowl, add flour, soda, salt and flour. Mix well. Add apples and nuts and coat well with the flour mixture. In separate bowl, combine Crisco oil, slightly beaten eggs and vanilla. Combine oil mixture with flour mixture and gently mix.

Pour mixture in prepared tube pan and bake at 325 degrees for 40 minutes. Then turn down the temperature to 300 degrees. Continue cooking for 40 more minutes.

Turn cake out onto cake plate. Prepare Caramel glaze.

Caramel Glaze
1-cup brown sugar
1/2 stick margarine
1/4-cup milk

Cook until mixture bubbles and bubbles burst. Beat a few minutes. Spread on warm cake.

For Gloria in Indiana, November 17th newsletter. So glad you enjoyed my Chicken Cacciatore recipe. I use dried basil and thyme seasonings, not the fresh. And to Laurie in Brooklyn, November 11th newsletter. I'm sorry I haven't been able to send you those mascarpone cookie recipes yet. I've been busy taking care of my husband who has alzheimers and a muscle crippling disease. But I promise I will definitely get around to doing that for you. Thanks for being patient with me.
Mary in Poland, Ohio

To Sue in Illinois, newsletter 11-17-08. I make buttermilk pie from my buttermilk. The recipe is a follows:

Buttermilk Pie
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 Tbs. flour, rounded
3 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
prepared graham cracker crust

Cream sugar and butter. Add flour an eggs, beating well. Stir in buttermilk, vanilla (can add a dash of nutmeg.)

Pour into graham cracker crust and bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. You can use unbaked pie shell. I use 9 inch unbaked pie shell and bake at 325 for 1 hour.
Shirley in MS

Nancy,
this is in response to Sandy in Idaho, who wanted a jello with cranberry sauce.

Paula Deen had several on her shows this past week.1 I haven't tried was the deep fried cranberry sauce, but I will shortly. She had the recipe on her show the week of 8 th thru the 15th.It was with 2 boxes of raspberry jello and Knox gelatin with other ingredients. I don't want to tell Sandy wrong, so maybe she can find it on her show on The Food Network. If not let me know and I will find it for her.
Robyn

To da from TN who requested a recipe for fresh apple cake

Fresh Apple Cake
2 cups flour
2 scant cups sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
4 cups chopped fresh apples (or other fruit)
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup raisins

In a large mixer, mix everything together in the order given. Mix thoroughly. Use a sheet pan lightly greased (12 x 10). Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until golden brown.

Cream Cheese Frosting (optional)
4 oz cream cheese at room temperature
1/2 stick butter at room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

In mixer, blend cream cheese, butter and vanilla until smooth. Add powdered sugar and blend until smooth. Frost cooled sheet cake.
Angie/Buffalo