Kansas Cucumbers

1 c. mayonnaise or salad dressing
1/4 c. sugar
4 tsp apple cider vinegar
3 onions thinly sliced
1/2 tsp dill weed (dry is o.k.) it's what I use.
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional) more for sprinkling.
4 med. cucumbers, peeled and thinly sliced.

In large bowl with lid combine thinly sliced cucumbers and thinly sliced onions then lightly sprinkle over the top salt.  Keep 1/2 teaspoon salt for salting for taste at end of recipe - cover and place in refrigerator for several hours or over night / stirring every so often.

I leave mine in over night and the next day I drain off all the water that has come from the cucumbers and onions and I rinse them under water. Then with a colander by the hand full I Press out as much water between both of my hands then place in a bowl with lid.

In mixing bowl I combine mayonnaise, sugar, apple cider vinegar, dill and salt (if desired). Whisk well.  Pour into your drained cucumbers and onions and chill for at least 1 hour.  The longer these have to cool in the fridge the better.  Yields about 8

Strawberry Shortcake

2 cups cake flour
1/4 cup white sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup shortening
1 egg
1/3 cup milk

Sift dry ingredients. Cut in shortening. Mix egg with milk and fold into mixture. This makes a dry, rough mixture. Pour into greased and floured square cake pan.  Bake and remove immediately from pan. Baking time 12 min. Temp 450 degrees.

This was my grandmothers favorite and is still hands down the best shortcake I have ever tasted. I hope you enjoy. Quick and Easy!

Condensed Milk

2 c Whole milk
2 c sugar

Boil 30-45 minutes, then ready to use.

Cocoa Syrup

1 c cocoa
1 1/2 c water
2 c sugar

Combine ingredents heat to boiling. Cool.
Can be used for drinks or ice cream topping.

Green Goddess Basil Dressing

Ingredients

1 cup good mayonnaise1 cup chopped scallions, white and green parts (6 to 7 scallions)1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)2 teaspoons chopped garlic (2 cloves)2 teaspoons anchovy paste2 teaspoons kosher salt1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper1 cup sour cream3 heads Bibb lettuce2 to 3 tomatoes

Directions

Place the mayonnaise, scallions, basil, lemon juice, garlic, anchovy paste, salt and pepper in a blender and blend until smooth.

Add the sour cream and process just until blended. (If not using immediately, refrigerate the dressing until ready to serve.)

Cut each head of lettuce into quarters, remove some of the cores, and arrange on 6 salad plates.

Cut the tomatoes into wedges and add to the plates.

Pour on the dressing and serve.

Good morning muffins

Ingredients

Muffin Batter
4 cups Flour
1/2 cup Sugar
2 Tablespoons Baking Powder
1/2 cup Shortening (can Use 1/4 Cup Shortening With 1/4 Cup Butter)
2 cups Orange Marmalade
1 cup Orange Juice
1 teaspoon Vanilla
2 whole Eggs, Beaten

Topping Ingredients
3/4 cups Sugar
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Nutmeg
1 Tablespoon (plus 1 Teaspoon) Melted Butter
1/4 teaspoon Salt
Wheat Germ (optional)

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees, Sift together flour, sugar, and baking powder. Place in a mixing bowl. Use a pastry cutter to mix in shortening (or butter/shortening if desired).

Mix marmalade, orange juice, and vanilla in a small bowl. Pour into dry ingredients.

Beat eggs and pour into the bowl. Mix all ingredients together gently, using fewer than 10 large strokes.

In a small bowl, mix topping ingredients.Fill muffin pans with batter. Sprinkle 1 heaping teaspoon of topping ingredients over each muffin. Sprinkle wheat germ over the top for extra crunch. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes until done. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack. Eat warm or at room temperature.

Date And Nut Bread

3/4 c chopped nuts
1 c chopped dates
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 c shortening
3/4 c boiling water
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 c sugar
1 1/2 c sifted flour

Combine nuts, dates, soda and salt in a bowl, add shortening and water. Let stand 15. Stir to blend.  Beat eggs and vanilla. Stir in sugar and flour.  Add to date mixture.  Do not over mix.  Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Potato Salad Dressing

2 tbls flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar
1 tbls mustard
2 tbls butter
2 eggs
2/3 cup vinegar
1/3 cup water

Mix flour, salt and sugar in saucepan.  Add mustard and butter. Beat in eggs until smooth. Stir in vinegar and water. Remove from heat as soon as it boils.  Stir in a tablespoon of mayonnaise.

Pour over 4 cups sliced potatoes
Can add 5 slices of bacon crumbled and two tbls of bacon drippings.

Peanut-butter icing

Yield 2 cups

1/3 c creamy peanut butter
1/4 c whole milk
3 tsp Adams Best Vanilla powder or liquid
4 1/2 c sifted confectioners sugar

In large bowl,  beat peanut butter, milk, vanilla, and confectioners sugar at low speed with an electric mixer until smooth

Perfect on chocolate cake! Icing shown on chocolate cupcakes to get an idea on what it looks like.

Chocolate chip cookies

Yield 2 dozen

1 c butter, softened
1/2 c firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 c sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 c all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 c semi sweet chocolate morsels

Pre heat oven to 350º and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

In large bowl, beat butter and sugars at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.  Add eggs and vanilla beating until combined.  Set aside.

In medium bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually add butter mixture, beating until combined.  Add chocolate morsels, stirring until combined.

Using spring loaded 1 1/2 inch scoop, drop dough 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.

Bake until golden around edges, approximately 9 minutes.  Let cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes. Transfer to wire racks and cool completely.

Quick meringue icing

Yield 3 cups

4 large egg whites
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp cream of tarter
1 c sugar

In medium bowl, combine egg whites, vanilla, and cream of tarter. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until frothy, increase speed to high. Add sugar 1 tablespoon at a time beating until stiff and glossy, approximately 5 minutes. Use immediately. 

Classic recipe for cupcakes or lemon cake!

(Picture shown on a cupcake - so beautiful! )

Ginger cream-cheese icing

Yield 6 cups

20 oz. Cream cheese, softened
1 c unsalted butter, softened
6 c confectioners sugar
2 tbs. Honey
2 tsp. Grated fresh ginger

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese st medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.  Add butter, beating until light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes.  Add confectioners sugar, honey, and ginger beating until well combined, approximately 2 minutes.

Delicious on carrot or pumpkin spice cake!

Self Rising Flour

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Preparation:

1. Combine all of the ingredients. Then, use a whisk or flour sifter to mix them thoroughly.

2. Use right away or store in an air-tight container for later use. Your homemade self-rising flour will keep for months.

Want to make a bigger batch?
Just double, triple or quadruple the recipe to create as much self-rising flour as you need.

Here are some measurements to get you started:

For two cups flour - add 1 Tbsp baking powder and 1 tsp salt

For three cups flour - add 1-1/2 Tbsp baking powder and 1-1/2 tsp salt

For four cups flour - add 2 Tbsp baking powder and 2 tsp salt

For five cups flour - add 2-1/2 Tbsp baking powder and 2-1/2 tsp salt

For six cups flour - add 3 Tbsp baking powder and 3 tsp salt

Cobbler

1 c sugar + 1/4
1 c self rising flour
1 c milk
2 pkg berries

Mix 1 cup sugar and 1 cup self rising flour and 1 cup milk. Pour into buttered dish. Sprinkle berries evenly over the top plus 1/4 cup sugar over top. Bake in 350º oven for 1 hour.

Goulash

1 pound ground beef
1 onion
3/4 c elbow macaroni
1 can tomatoes
2 can tomatoe sauce
1 c shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp chili powder

Brown ground beef and chopped onion then drain. Cook elbow macaroni est. 12 minutes.  Combine ground beef and macaroni.  Add 1 can tomatoes and 2 can tomatoe sauce. Add cheese, salt, pepper, and chili powder - simmer 30 min.