Homespun


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Homespun
by Shirley Baker

HOME SPUN JULY 07

FOOD

This month I am going to deviate from the usual recipe column and invite you to join me in a fabulous outdoor cooking feast !!! With the weather being so hot and humid, cooking indoors is not even a current thought so we have come up with this meal we hope you try and enjoy with us.

We have recently found a new steak !! It is called the Flat Iron Steak which is cut from sections of larger roasts using a new cutting method and believe me, tender doesn't even begin to describe this steak!!

We rub the steak with our favorite store bought rub, or come up with your own concoction. Grill the steak turning occasionally to avoid burning. Here the chef is on his own but we like rare and juicy meat. Beside the steak, rub asparagus spears with olive oil and grill next to portabella mushrooms, onions and firm tomatoes. We let our imaginations run rampant with vegetables to grill beside the steaks as everyone seems to have their favorite veggie.

All our friends want to know when they are going to be invited over again just to taste this succelent meal. We jokingly say we serve a deliciious meal, your favorite libation, great conversation, relaxed atmosphere, and NO TIPPING. Let us know your favorite gathering meal cooked outdoors in the summer. We'd love to hear from you.

HINTS

Have you ever added 1/2 cup vinegar to the rinse cycle of your wash to soften clothes?
Full strength white vinegar poured on grass stains on white clothes, let soak, then wash
Out of toothpaste? Sprinkle baking soda in palm of your hand, dip wet toothbrush into it and brush.
To soften cuticles, soak fingers in baking soda and water mixture.
Dip cut flowers in solution of baking soda and water to sustain their life.
Neutralize battery acid by applying baking soda to the area.

HOME SPUN JUNE 07

In our every day hustle and bustle, sometimes we need to take a little time to do something special for our family. This is one recipe that will get many comments from one and all.

LEMON CAKE TOP PUDDING

3 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup sugar
4 egg yolks
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 teaspoons lemon rind
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
4 egg whites

Cream butter, add sugar, mix thoroughly. Add egg yolks, beat. Add flour, juice, rind, salt, mix well. Stir in milk. Beat egg whites till stiff, then fold into mixture. Pour into a 9 x 5 baking dish. Set in pan of hot water and bake in oven at 325 degrees about 40 minutes. Turn oven to 350 till brown on top, about 10 minutes. Remove and cool before serving.

HINTS

Drain opener: 1 cup each salt & baking soda flushed with kettle of boiling water
Funnel: Plastic bag with corner clipped away.
Glue for paper: Raw egg white.
Moving dolly: Skate board.
Measuring tape: Quarter is 1" in diameter. Pack of cigarettes is 2" wide. A dollar bill is 6 1/2 " long.
To color wood filler: Add instant coffee powder to spackle.

MAY 07'

This salad is most refreshing and so easy to prepare. Fix ahead and a salad will always be ready for guests, picnics or family fare.

BLACK BEAN, CORN, TOMATO SALAD

1 can black beans
1` can kernel corn
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1 cup chopped red onion
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
5 tablespoons salad oil
2 tablespoons wine vinegar
\1/4 cup snipped fresh basil

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can kernel corn, drained

Mix together:
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
5 tablespoons oil
1/4 cup snipped fresh basil

Toss marinade with beans, corn. Gently mix in 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes and 1 cup chopped red onion.

For a Southwestern flavor, one can always add cilantro.

HINTS

Freshen potato chips by placing on cookie sheet, place under broiler of oven. Remove before too brown.
Olive oil revitalizes stainless steel
Use plain toothpaste to remove scratches from glasses.
When your car heats up in the summer, turn on the heater and watch the temperature gauge go down until you reach a service station.

APRIL 07'

This recipe has been a crowd pleaser whenever family or friends gather. Do ahead and keep it easy. I always keep ingredients on hand for just that special meal.

3 cups cooked & deboned chicken, reserve broth.
(Broth can be used for canned broth)
1 large bunch broccoli, cooked
1 can cream celery soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can chicken broth or water
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated
2 cups cracker crumbs
2 Tablespoons margarine

Layer broccoli in casserole dish. Top with chicken. Next, spread mayonnaise
with lemon juice over chicken. Mix chicken soup and celery soup with 1 can
of chicken broth. Pour into casserole dish. Cook in 350 degree oven until
bubbly, about 30-45 minutes. Top with cracker crumbs combined with 2
Tablespoons margarine and cheese. Put back into oven for 5 minutes.

To improve pie crust, add milk instead of water.
Shell hard boiled eggs under running water
Remove silks from corn cob with a stiff brush.
Add 1 tablespoon vinegar to cup of milk to make sour milk in recipe.
Dip scissors in water while cutting marshmallows
Rinse measuring cup with water before measuring shortening to prevent
shortening from sticking to cup.