Archived Recipes

While looking for something else, I ran across this recipe on www.food.com.  I halved this recipe and still had enough for three meals for the two of us.  We had it with salad and homemade bread sticks—yummy!

Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli Soup

2 lbs. ground beef
1
onion, chopped
3
carrots, chopped
4 stalks
celery, chopped
2 (28 ounce) cans
diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (16 ounce) can
red kidney beans, drained
1 (16 ounce) can
white kidney beans, drained
3 (10 ounce) cans beef stock
3 teaspoons
oregano
2 teaspoons
pepper
5 teaspoons
parsley
1 teaspoon
Tabasco sauce (optional)
1 (20 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce 8 ounces pasta

Brown beef in a skillet.  Drain fat from beef and add to crock pot with everything except pasta.  Cook on low 7-8 hours or high 4-5 hours.  During last 30 min on high or 1 hour on low, add pasta.

Serves 12

Thanks to former co-worker and long-time friend Susie for this recipe.  I don’t make it a lot any more for just the two of us, but it’s great for company as it can be made ahead.

Lasagna

1 ½ lb. sausage or hamburger
1 clove garlic
1 Tbls. basil
1 ½ tsp. salt
1 lb. can tomatoes
3 (6 oz.) cans tomato paste
8 lasagna noodles
2 eggs|
3 c. ricotta cheese
½ c. parmesan
2 Tbls. Parsley
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
1 lb. shredded mozzarella cheese

Brown meat and drain.  Add next 5 ingredients and simmer 30 minutes.  Cook noodles in large amount boiling salted water till tender.  Drain.  Beat eggs; add remaining ingredients except mozzarella. 

Layer ½ noodles in 13X9X2 inch pan.  Spread ½ cheese filling.  Add ½ mozzarella and ½ meat sauce.  Repeat.  Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes OR: assemble early and refrigerate; bake 45 minutes.  Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Italian Beef

3 lb. rump or sirloin tip roast
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. oregano
2 c. water
1 tsp. sweet basil
1 tsp. parsley
1 tsp. garlic powder

2 bay leaves
2 green peppers, sliced

 Mix spices, peppers and water and pour over roast.  Bake at 350 degrees in covered pan for 21/2 to 3 hours.  Remove meat and cool completely.  Slice very thin and return to juice.  Reheat in juices to serve on French roll or submarine bun.

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The Best Fruit Salad

1 small jar maraschino cherries
1 small can chunk pineapple
1 can mandarin oranges
1-2 bananas
1 apple
2-3 kiwi, peeled and sliced
Small bunch red seedless grapes

Drain cherries and put in bowl.  Add pineapple without liquid, add oranges with juice, cut and add bananas, cut apple, peel and slice kiwis and cut into halves red seedless grapes.  You can increase or decrease amount of fruit; stir and enjoy.

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 My mom made THE BEST yeast rolls I’ve ever tasted.  My youngest sister, Ruthie makes them now & they are still delicious.  I’ve never really mastered them, but here is the recipe.  It makes quite a lot and can be refrigerated for several days.

Mom’s Refrigerator Rolls

Pour 1 c. boiling water over ¾ c. lard.  Let cool.  Add 2 well-beaten eggs, one at a time.  Mix thoroughly.  Add ½ c. sugar, 2 tsp. salt, 2 cakes yeast, dissolved in 1 c. cold water, 6 c. unsifted flour.  Mix well, cover and refrigerate.  Make into rolls 2 hours before baking.  Bake 15 minutes in 425-450 degree oven.

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Crock Pot Pasta Sauce

1 lb. lean ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1-lb. can tomatoes, drained & cut up
1 8-oz. can tomato sauce
1 12-oz. cans tomato paste
1 c. beef bouillon
2 Tbsp. minced parsley
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. dried oregano leaves
1 tsp. dried basil leaves
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper

Brown meat with onion and garlic; drain excess fat.  In slow-cooking pot, combine browned meat, onions, and garlic with remaining ingredients.  Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.  Serve over your favorite pasta.  May be made ahead and frozen.  Serves 6-8

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Growing up, my mom had an older cousin who, along with his wife were like grandparents to us.  Ruthie was a great cook and often tried new recipes on us (we survived them all!).  Here is one she shared with me; I ran across it recently and it brought back such pleasant memories as it’s in her neat handwriting.

 

Casserole Supreme

1 7-oz. pkg. macaroni & cheese dinner
¾ c. milk
2 eggs
1-2 Tbsp. instant minced onion
½ tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
5 hard cooked eggs
1 c. celery
¼ c. dried bread crumbs and melted oleo.

Prepare macaroni & cheese dinner according to directions.  Meanwhile, beat together milk, 2 eggs, onion, salt and pepper until blended.  Reserving 3 egg wedges for garnish, chop remaining eggs.  Stir milk mixture, chopped eggs and celery into prepared macaroni & cheese dinner.  Spread evenly into greased 12X7X2 baking dish.  Combine bread crumbs and oleo.  Sprinkle over casserole.  Bake in 350 degree oven 25 minutes.  Serves 8

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I love it when Bob cooks, and over the years he’s perfected his “world famous chili” recipe.  Of course, it changes a bit each time he makes it, but here’s the basic idea.  (He cleans up afterwards too, a real plus!)

Bob McCorkle’s World Famous Chili

1 ½ lb. lean ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove fresh garlic, minced
1 tsp. salt

½ green pepper, chopped
(This depends on the size of the peppers)
½ red pepper, chopped
1 oz. pimento

¼ tsp. ground cumin
½ tsp. ground oregano (can also use Italian seasoning as a substitute)
2 Tbs. chili powder
1 large can tomato puree
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 16 oz. cans dark red kidney beans, drained (can also use chili beans)

1 can medium salsa
(Use hot salsa to spice it up a bit)
1 cup elbow spaghetti

Brown beef in large skillet & drain; stir in onion, salt, cumin, oregano & peppers.  Blend tomato puree, tomato sauce, beans, salsa, garlic, chili powder & ground beef in slow cooker.  Cook on low for 6 hours.  45 minutes before serving, stir in 1 cup elbow spaghetti.

Yield: 8-10 servings.  *** To make chili a little hotter, mix in some hot sauce to taste.

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I used to make this recipe when our sons were young and hadn’t thought about it for years.  Recently granddaughters Abby & Grace have helped me make it and we thought we’d share.

Yabba-Dabba-Doo Squares

¼ cup butter or margarine
3 cups miniature marshmallows
3 cups Post Fruity Pebbles or Cocoa Pebbles cereal

Melt butter in saucepan, stirring frequently.  Add marshmallows and cereal; stir until marshmallows start to melt and stick to cereal.  Remove from heat.  Press mixture firmly into buttered 8” square pan.  Chill about 1 hour.  Cut into squares.  Store in cool place.  Makes 16 squares.

Optional: Ad 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter when using Cocoa Pebbles cereal. 

Note: Recipe may be doubled and pressed into buttered 13” X 9” pan.

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Thanks to bridge teacher & Tucson friend Sherrie, for this tasty and unusual salad.

Sweet Pasta Salad

3 cups uncooked penne pasta, or smaller pasta, i.e.: bowtie
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries divided
1 teaspoon canola oil
4 cups torn salad greens
1/2 cup chopped walnuts toasted
1/3 cup flaked coconut toasted

Cook pasta
For dressing combine the cream, sugar, vanilla and 1/2 cup strawberries in a blender and process until smooth.

Drain pasta, rinse with cold water, and place in a large bowl, add oil and toss, add coconut and remaining strawberries, place the greens in a serving bowl top with pasta mixture, drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with walnuts.

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A  long-ago co-worker gave me this easy & yummy recipe which I love to make.  Both my sons like it, so I often make it when we’re together.  Most items are staples that can be kept on hand.

 

Strawberry Salad

1 can strawberry pie filling
1 small can crushed pineapple, drained
1 can Eagle Brand milk
1 large bowl Cool Whip, thawed
1 bag nuts

Mix all together and chill.

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Thanks to long time friend, Tina for this easy & delicious snack.

Tina Rowe’s Toffee 

2 sticks butter
1 cup sugar
1 sleeve unsalted saltines
12 oz chocolate bits
Chopped nuts

Mix butter and sugar and boil 3-4 minutes.  Spread saltines on cookie sheet.  Pour boiled mix over saltines and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  Pour chocolate bits over and bake 35 seconds.  Sprinkle with nuts and cool about 2 hours.

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Thanks to friend and former co-worker Darla for this yummy dessert. 

Raspberry Truffle Cream Pie

1 2/3 cups (10-oz pkg) Hershey’s raspberry chips
1/3 cup milk
2 cups miniature marshmallows or 20 large marshmallows
1 (8 oz) tub frozen non-dairy whipped topping, thawed
1 (9-inch) packaged crumb crust (6 oz)

Additional whipped topping (optional)
Fresh raspberries (optional) 

Place raspberry chips and milk in large microwave-safe bowl.  Microwave at high 1 minute or until chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred.  Add marshmallows; microwave at high 1 minute; stir.  If necessary, microwave at high an additional 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, just until marshmallows are melted when stirred.

Spread ½ cup chip mixture over bottom of crust.  Cool remaining mixture to room temperature; fold in whipped topping and spoon into crust.

Cover and refrigerate 4-6 hours or until firm.  Garnish with whipped topping and raspberries, if desired.  Cover and refrigerate leftover pie.

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When my mother-in-law was living, this was a staple on the Christmas dinner table.  I have made it a few times as it is one of Bob’s favorites.  So this recipe is in memory of my mother-in-law, Elizabeth McCorkle.

Date Nut Loaf

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup small marshmallows r large ones quartered
1 cup chopped dates
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 tsp. vanilla
½ cup cream

 Mix all ingredients in bowl (mixture will be just moistened).  Turn out onto waxed paper and shape into roll and chill.  Serve with whipped cream.

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Thanks to my brother-in-law Rick for this quick and delicious casserole.  It’s great for potlucks and most of the ingredients can be kept on hand.

Velveeta Nacho Bake

1 12 oz. pkg. Velveeta Shells & Cheese dinner
1 lb. ground beef
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
¾ c. water
¾ c. sour cream
¾ c. shredded cheddar cheese, divided
¾ c. salsa
½ c. coarsely crushed tortilla chips

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Prepare dinner following basic directions.  While macaroni is cooking, brown meat and drain.  Add taco seasoning mix and water to meat; simmer 5 minutes.  Stir sour cream into prepared dinner.  Spoon ½ dinner mixture into 8-in. square baking dish; top with meat mixture, ½ cheese and remaining dinner mixture.  Cover and bake 15 minutes.  Top with salsa, remaining cheese and crushed tortilla chips.  Bake uncovered another 5 minutes.

Yield:  6 servings.

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My mom was a wonderful cook and nearly everything was made from scratch while I was growing up.  One of my favorites was her brownies, which she usually iced with a chocolate butter cream icing, something that few women did at that time.  Since Mom passed away March 29, I decided to honor her with her brownie recipe.  I love you, Mom!

Mom’s Brownies

4 squares chocolate
2/3 c. shortening
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
1 ½ c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 c. nuts

Melt chocolate and shortening in double boiler.  Combine all ingredients and mix well.  Bake in greased and floured 9X13 pan, 30-35 minutes in 350 degree oven.

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Chocolate Butter Cream Icing

1/3 c. soft butter
3 c. sifted confectioners’ sugar
3 Tbs. cocoa
3 Tbs. milk
1 ½ tsp. vanilla

Blend butter, sugar and chocolate together.  Stir in milk and vanilla until smooth.  Makes frosting for two 8 or 9 inch layers or 13X9 oblong.

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This is Bob’s Grandma McCorkle’s recipe for Sugar Pie, Bob’s absolute favorite pie!  It is quite simple and not to be confused with Sugar Cream Pie.

 Grandma's Sugar Pie 

In a 2-cup measuring cup, combine ¼ cup flour & ¾ cup sugar.  Stir to mix.  Add water, stirring to mix, until you fill to the 2-cup mark.  Pour into an unbaked pie shell.  Dot with butter; sprinkle with cinnamon.  Bake at 350 degrees until filling sets.  The top will still be a little runny, but will firm as it cools.

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 Turkey or Chicken Pot Pie

 1 c. chopped cooked turkey or     chicken                     
½ c. milk
1 can Veg-All, drained 
½ tsp. thyme
1 can cream of potato soup  
½ tsp. pepper
1 can cream of mushroom soup  
2 pie shells

 Mix and pour all ingredients into pie shell.  Cover with other shell and bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes.  Let stand 10-15 minutes.

Note:  You can make 2; freeze one without cooking.  Bake frozen pie 1 hour and 15 minutes.

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Thanks again to my college roommate and longtime friend, Glenda for this yummy recipe.  I like to serve it with the fruit salad recipe featured previously (see archives),

 Apple Bread

1/2  c. butter
1     c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. diced apples
1 tsp. soda dissolved in 2 Tbs. sour milk
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. flour

Cream together all but apples and flour.  Add apples and flour and put into greased and floured bread tin.  Mix together and sprinkle on top:

2 Tbs. butter
2 Tbs. flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 Tbs. sugar

Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.

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This is an easy, hearty soup to help warm a cold winter’s day.  It’s great alone or with a grilled cheese sandwich.

 Chunky Chicken Soup

1 ½ lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2” strips
2/3 c. finely chopped onion
2 celery ribs, chopped
2 cans condensed cream of potato soup, undiluted
1 tsp. dill weed
½ c. half-and-half
2 tsp. vegetable oil
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 c. frozen corn
1 ½ c. chicken broth
1 c. frozen peas

In large skillet over medium-high heat, brown chicken in oil.  With slotted spoon, transfer chicken to a 5-qt. slow cooker.  Add onion, carrots, celery and corn.  In a small bowl, whisk soup, broth and dill until blended; stir into slow cooker.  Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or until vegetables are tender.  Stir in peas and cream.  Cover and cook 30 minutes longer or until heated through. Serves 7.

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Thanks to my nursing school roommate and long-time friend Glenda for this delicious and easy to make recipe.  It is especially pretty layered in a glass pedestal dish.

 Fruit Salad

2 Cans Mandarin Oranges,
drained
1 lg can chunck pineapple,
drained
1 can peach pie filling
5-6 bananas
1 large bunch seedless
grapes

Mix all ingredients together and chill.

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Thanks to former co-worker, Terry for this easy & delicious recipe.  I love to make it and it’s always a hit! 

Chocolate Chip Cheeseball 

1 (8-oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
½ c. butter, softened (no substitutes)
¼ tsp. vanilla
¾ c. finely chopped pecans
¾ c. powdered sugar
2 T. brown sugar
¾ c. mini chocolate chips
Chocolate & regular graham crackers

In mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla with mixer until fluffy.  Gradually add the sugars; beat just until combined.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Cover and refrigerate 2 hours.  Place cream cheese mixture on plastic wrap and shape into ball; refrigerate at least 1 hour.  Just before serving, roll in pecans.  Serve with graham crackers.

(home)