This recipe is dedicated to a dear friend I met going to the University of Phoenix.  She offered me support and guidance to help me through the years.  I was so happy to receive her e-mail asking me for this recipe.  I am almost confident this is what she wanted.  Let me know my friend if this is the recipe you asked me about sent to me e-mail address!  I LOVE YOU!

 

Cherry Cheesecake Pie – If you have my cookbook, you have this recipe

1 – 8 ounce cream cheese softened

1 cup sifted powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup whipping cream, whipped
¼ teaspoon almond extract
1 can of Comstock Cherry Pie Filling
1 baked 9” pastry shell/piecrust

Beat together cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla till smooth and creamy.  Fold in whipped cream.  Pour into pre baked pastry shell/piecrust.  Add almond extract to cherry pie filling and carefully spoon over cheese layer.   Chill until firm about 4 to 6 hours.  Can be garnished with additional whipping cream when serving each slice.

Chicken and Rice Salad 

 You know that I am trying to make recipes which my son in law will enjoy.  The recipes that I like  to create for him is using rice.  I created this chicken and rice salad over the weekend.  Hope you enjoy!

1 cup raw Uncle Bens Rice – Cook as instructed from box.  Once you have cooked the rice, place the rice in a strainer and rinse with water.  Set aside to drain while preparing the rest of the recipe.  Also, do not overcook the rice.

2 chicken breasts seasoned and grilled – once cooled dice in small bite size pieces

1 cup of chopped celery
½ cup of chopped green salad onion
1 small jar of diced pimento drained
2/3 cup of golden raisins
2/3 cup sour cream
2/3 cup of mayonnaise – I use Hellmans
Salt and pepper to taste
Mix thoroughly all ingredients, chill before serving

I like to serve with grilled chicken and vegetables!  I hope you enjoy.  You will enjoy further with a glass of your favorite wine!  Remember always, just have some fun!

ATM Golden Vanilla Cake and Grape Jelly Icing
Recently, our family lost an important family member which is part of the structure of our family tree.  The love and kindness she showed us all through the years is remembered in this dessert she loved to make for her family.  Many family gatherings included this dessert.  We will always love you!

Prepare a Golden Duncan Hines Cakes Mix as instructed on the box for a 9 X 13” pan.  One change, if you would substitute the water on the cake mix using whole milk instead.  You will love it.

Once cooled from the oven frost with the following, please do not over bake the cake!

14 ounce Welch’s Naturale Concord Grape Spread
3 tablespoons of Chambord Royale Deluxe
Place in a saucepan and cook heated over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes

Let cool and frost the cake and then sprinkle with coconut.

This cake and icing are really good, and your kids will love it!  I love it and I love ATM more!

Green Peas and Ham

32 ounce package of frozen green peas

½ onion chopped
¼ cup olive oil
2 whole clove garlic
1 pound of ham steak – diced in small cubes
1 cube chicken bouillon
1 cup water
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix together in a small bowl

2 tablespoons of cornstarch
4 tablespoons of water

Place in a skillet the olive oil and ½ chopped onion and 2 whole clove garlic.  Saute onion until onion is tender.  Add the ham steak and cook for 3 minutes with the onion and olive oil.   Add the bouillon, water, and peas over medium heat until mixture becomes hot and bubbly.  Salt and pepper to taste.   As Guy Fieri would comment on Diners Drive Ins and Dives (http://www.foodnetwork.com/diners-drive-ins-and-dives/index.html) tighten up with the cornstarch and water.

Serve with meatloaf, pork, or chicken.  You will love the  comfort food this recipe offers.
Enjoy and do not forget the glass of wine!
Reference
Guy Fieri, Tighten Up, http://www.foodnetwork.com/diners-drive-ins-and-dives/index.html

VII XXIII MMIII Fruit Salad

These roman numerals represent a significant date and time
7 23 2003  the date I survived a major ruptured brain anuerysm

I would like to share with you a fruit salad which a dear friend sent to me during my days of recovery.  Each year that brings me to the anniversary of survival I can never forget this fruit salad which was offered from a friend and filled my days knowing someone out there cared for me.
Love it!

3 cups of sliced strawberries
2 cup of blueberries
2 cups of sliced fresh plums - your choice
1 apple sliced and chopped
2 tablespoons of honey
1 tablespoon of chopped fresh mint

Mix all together refrigerate and enjoy!

Czech Red Potatoes

My grandmother made wonderful red potatoes which were seasoned with onions and bacon, which were coated with butter and  vinegar.  My recipe replaces the butter with olive oil and they are oh so good.  Complimented with pork, chicken or beef and your favorite bottle wine.  Let’s have some fun!

3 pound bag of small red potatoes covered with water and seasoned with salt.  Boil  until tender and set aside.,

12 ounce package of lean Hormel Black Label Bacon.  Trim off fat and place in iron skillet.  Brown bacon until all pieces are crisp and browned. Place bacon on plate covered with paper towels and drain well. Drain bacon grease from iron skillet.  Add 1 onion chopped and sauté with bacon until onion is tender in the iron skillet.  Add ½ cup olive oil along with onion, bacon, ¼ cup red wine vinegar and cooked potatoes.   Toss and enjoy with your side chicken or pork.  Remember enjoy and have some fun!  Do not forget the wine!