Daily traditions:
Book of Mormon reading has included many fun variations. When the kids were little, puppets and stuffed animals would “read” the text or tell the stories and read a few selected passages.
Currently, we have everyone reading from another language and translating into English so we learn about differences in translations. In place of high sugar cereals for breakfast, we eat “Déia Delights,” a mix of a sugary cereal and a healthier one.
Favorite dinner meals include: Black beans and rice, wheat chili, home made pizza, fettucini alfredo, pasta con broccoli, chicken satay, and for company we like lasagna with French bread and a salad. We always include vegetarian options for our 3 veggie girls and those of us who are still getting ready to take the plunge.
Black Beans and Rice (This was originally trying to imitate Brazilian black beans, but it actually has more Cuban spicing.)
1. soak 2 C. black beans overnight
2. drain and rinse. Cook an hour or two with 6-8 C. water in a big pot until beans are tender (Alternately, cook in crock pot with 6-8 c. water for at least 8 hrs)
3. mostly drain liquid
4. add 1T salt, 2 t chili powder, 1 t onion powder, 1/2 t cumin, 1/2 t garlic powder, 1/2 t black pepper, 1 T. brown sugar, 1 T. vinegar optional: add 1/2 lb kielbasa sliced and fried with a sliced onion
5. serve over rice
Wheat Chili (serve with corn chips and grated cheese) (great vegetarian food storage meal)
1. Soak 2 C. beans overnight in 4 C. water (I use kidney beans or red beans or pinto beans)
2. drain beans. Pour into crock pot with 1 C. wheat and about 8 C. water (there should be twice as much water as beans and wheat
3. cook on high at least 8 hours until beans are soft
4. pour off most of the extra water 5. add 1 T. salt, 1T. Chili powder, 1 t. onion powder, a sprinkle of garlic powder, an 8-oz can of tomato sauce, and a can of corn
Pizza
1. Crust (adaptation of Willow’s French bread recipe): mix 1 c water, 1 T. yeast, 1 t. sugar, 3 c. flour, 1 T. oil, 1 t. salt in food processor. let it rise to double.
2. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease pizza pan. Stretch dough to cover pan.
3. Top with spaghetti sauce, then shredded mozzarella. Other favorite toppings include: sliced olives, cooked Italian sausage, pepperoni, onions, cooked vegetables. Ariana likes goat cheese.
Fettucini Alfredo (As Wanda says, “It’s just like making macaroni and cheese from a box but tastes better.”)
1. put a pan of salted water on the stove to boil
2. cook 1 lb fettucini. drain.
3. Melt one stick of butter in the pan. Add drained pasta. Add 1-2 c. freshly grated parmesan. Add half and half until it stirs nicely. Serve.
Pasta Con Broccoli (Pasta House Co. recipe)
1. bring a large pot of water to boil
2. saute 1/2 lb mushrooms in olive oil, set aside
3. add 1 lb shell pasta (or similar size) to boiling water. Stir. Return to boil. Cook 5 min
4. add 1lb chopped broccoli. Return to boil. Cook 5 min
5. drain pasta and broccoli
6. melt 1 stick butter in the pan. Return pasta and broccoli to pan
7. add 2 c. freshly grated parmesan cheese, sauteed mushrooms from #2, 1 t. salt, 1/4 t. pepper, 1/4 t. garlic powder, two 8oz cans tomato sauce, 2 C. half and half.
8. Serve or put into a casserole dish to reheat or freeze
Tempeh/Chicken Satay (Recipe from Rebecca at family reunion. We love it!)
1. make the marinade: mix 1/4 C. sesame oil, 1 C. soy sauce, 1/2 C. orange juice, 1/4 C. brown sugar, 4 cloves garlic (minced), 1-1/2 T. curry powder
2. soak tempeh or chicken at least an hour in the marinade (try it with tofu)
3. cook 2-3 c rice in rice cooker
4. grill #2 or bake in the marinade
5. make peanut sauce: saute 1 Chopped onion and two minced cloves of garlic in 1-1/2 T. olive oil. Add 1 t. chili flakes, 1 T. ground coriander, 1 t. ground cumin, 3T. Brown sugar, 2 T. lemon juice, 2 T. soy sauce, 1 C. smooth peanut butter. Gradually stir in 1 can coconut milk. Heat through.
6. Serve tempeh on rice topped with peanut sauce.
Lasagna
1. start a big pot of water boiling. Add a little salt. Add a pound of lasagna noodles when the water boils. cook about 10 minutes. drain
2. cook a pound of sausage (optional)
3. pour half a jar of spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a large baking dish
4. top with a layer of lasagna noodles overlapping
5. the next layer is two tubs of cottage cheese stirred together with a pound of chopped spinach and 4 beaten eggs.
6. Add another pasta layer
7. top with sausage and a jar of spaghetti sauce
8. cover with aluminum foil and bake about 40 minutes at 350 degrees. remove foil. Top with about half a pound of shredded mozzarella
9. return to oven for 10 minutes (heat can be turned off)
10. let sit 10 minutes before cutting
Weekly traditions:
Go to church together each Sunday.Sing “Welcome, welcome Sabbath Morning” on the way there, followed by other primary songs and hymns.
Family Home Evening each Monday night.
We love: singing together, Katie’s lessons, repeating the family motto, watching movies together, going to the pool, family bike rides, canoeing.
Family motto:
- I am an important part of the Black family.
- I can be proud of my family and ancestors.
- We are brothers and sisters, so we are kind to each other in word and deed.
- We all love each other.
- We want to always stay together, so
- we read the scriptures,
- we listen to the prophet,
- and we will do what they say.
- “We will seek learning, even by study and also by faith.”
- We value beauty.
- We will share our blessings by serving others.
Monthly traditions:
Fasting.Eating pancakes together to break our fast.
Pancake Recipe (serves 4—I double this for our family)
1. stir together in a large bowl: 2 c flour, 1/4 c sugar, 1 t. salt, 1 t. baking soda, 1/2 T. baking powder
2. add 2 eggs, 2 t. vanilla, 1 T. lemon juice, 1/4 c. oil, 2 c. milk. Mix well until no lumps remain
3. fry in lightly oiled pan
Grump parades as needed. When someone’s feeling grumpy, we all line up and parade around the house making grumpy faces and music and chanting: “grump, grump, grump, . . .” It’s hard to keep a straight face or to stay grumpy through this.
The kids love doing plays together and presenting them for the family. We’ve had lots of enactments of Book of Mormon stories. Veggie tales-style “Joe and the gold bible” with real vegetable puppets was a big hit. Recently, we enjoyed Rose’s clue-style murder mystery where it turned out that Miss Scarlet (Katie) did in Mr. Body (a dog puppet) with her powerful music. Judge Lydia was found out one time to have stolen the Gutenberg Bible, leaving behind clues of Rose’s hair, Rose’s ramen noodles, and Rose’s music, all of which Lydia craves.
A Year in the life of the Black Family:
JanuaryNew Year's Day meal of: Ham, Collard greens, cornbread, and black-eyed peas with rice. There is a southern tradition that you'll earn a dollar in the coming year for every black-eyed pea you eat on New Year's Day. Recipes:
Ham – heat it up in the oven according to package directions.
Collard greens – Saute 1/4 lb bacon and 1/2 diced onion in a heavy pan. Add 2 big bunches of washed collard greens which have been cut into one inch slices. Cook about 15 min until greens are tender. Salt to taste; I think I add about a teaspoon.
Cornbread – mix 1 C. cornmeal, 1 C. flour, 1/4 C. sugar, 1/2 t. salt, 1 C. milk, 1/4 C. vegetable oil, 1 beaten egg, 4 t. baking powder. Bake in a well-greased 9x9 pan for 20 min at 425 degrees.
Black-eyed peas – Cook 3 C. black-eyed peas in crock pot or pressure cooker or regular pot just like you would any dry bean (soak first). Add 1 T. salt, 4 bay leaves, pepper, red pepper, 1 t. onion powder, garlic powder after beans are soft. Serve black-eyed peas over cooked rice.
Sledding followed by hot chocolate any time it snows.Sperreng Musicals: The Music Man, Hello Dolly, Oklahoma, Beauty and the Beast, South Pacific, Aladdin, Peter Pan
February
Heart shaped sugar cookies for Valentine’s day
LHS Musicals: Once Upon a Mattress, Lucky Stiff, The Sound of Music, Sweet Charity, Cinderella, Little Shop of Horrors
Charissa’s birthday, Lydia’s birthday
March
William’s birthday -- quidditch games
St. Patrick's Day meal of : corned beef, boiled cabbage, boiled new potatoes, and rye bread. Leftovers made into Reuben Sandwiches with: rye bread, corned beef, swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and horseradish sauce.
April
General Conference – we love to listen to general conference together, if we’re not watching Lydia. Charissa and Katie sleep. (documented photos/drawings by Ari)
“Easter Bunny Day” – The day before Easter is when we have the easter egg hunt. We boil about 5 dozen eggs and color them on Friday. Then, on Saturday, we do the hunt and eat hard boiled egg sandwiches and deviled eggs for lunch after the hunt. On Easter, we eat leftover eggs and candy and try to focus on Jesus. We often do Myrna's egg game to read scriptures about the crucifixion and resurrection.
May
Katie’s birthday, Jon’s birthday
the Spirit Festival at LHS School
concerts
Memorial day ceremony with the LHS band next to Johnny’s Market
June
Ariana’s birthday
Swimming pool! We have a family pass and go as often as we can. For years we had lots of kids on the swim team. We love to swim!
July
We’ve watched 4th of July fireworks at the Arch, Webster Groves, and Kirkwood
Family Vacation – the essential element is a long time together in the car singing, talking, and playing games. Memorable elements include: The Ballad of Thundermoose and Cowdown
favorite places: North Carolina Outer Banks, Mesa Verde, Mexico, Yellowstone
August
school resumes
Mom’s birthday
September
October
Rose’s birthday
General Conference: we love watching general conference together. We take copious notes and do handwork (latchhook, embroidery, crochet, knitting) and sing and bask in the Spirit.
Halloween – Dad takes little kids trick or treating. If you’re taller than Mom, you host or go to a party instead.
Bake or boil at least one pumpkin to eat as a vegetable with meals and turn into pie
November
Dad’s birthday – he’s usually out of town at a meeting
Thanksgiving – Eat stuffed turkey (if you’re not a vegetarian) with grandma’s stuffing recipe, mashed potatoes, home made rolls, boiled yams, and pumpkin pie
Grandma Jones’ poultry dressing: (fills a 20-lb bird) We used this recipe growing up. We thought it was a treasured family recipe that had been handed down. When I was a freshman in college, I had my first Thanksgiving with Grandma and asked about the recipe. I learned that she’d never actually made this recipe but had just clipped it from the newspaper and sent it to my mom. But it’s a great recipe, and I still use it. 6 c. toasted bread crumbs, 1/2 c. diced onions, 1 c. diced celery, 1/2 c. melted margarine, 1 t. salt, 1 t. poultry seasoning. Mix and put into washed, salted bird cavities. Close cavities with toothpicks. Cook turkey in an oven bag according to directions.
Mashed potatoes: cut up washed potatoes and boil. (leave the skins on) Drain off most of the liquid. Add 1 stick margerine and 1/2 c. powdered milk. Mix with mixer. Add milk as needed to get the right consistency.
Klixi Cannon’s rolls: We had several Thanksgivings with the Cannon family, and Klixi makes wonderful rolls. This is her recipe with the platypus bill shape that Kevin’s family used when he was growing up. Mix 1 c. hot water, 1 T. yeast, 1/3 c. sugar. Proof. Add 4 c. flour, 2 T. dry milk powder, 1/3 c. butter, 1 t. salt. Mix in food processor. Rise to double. Shape into platypus bills: cut into circles, place a sliver of margarine in the center, fold in half, press in two fingers to make nostrils and close the shape. Let rise again. Bake about 15 min at 350 degrees.
Peggy Simpson’s Yams: We had Thanksgiving with the Simpson family in 1988 and 1990-1998? They were wonderful friends, and we miss them a lot. Boil: 1 stick butter, 1 c. sugar, 2 c. water, in a big pan filled with peeled, sliced, yams. Cook on high about 20 minutes.
Pumpkin Pie: (super healthy and delicious by using more pumpkin and less sugar than usual)
1. cook a fresh pumpkin by washing and seeding and then boiling chopped up chunks about 3 inches across.
2. Make 2 crusts: Mix 2 c. flour, 3/4 c. shortening, 1 t. salt until the mixture looks like coarse cornmeal. Add about 4-5 T. very cold water. Divide in half and roll out and place into pie pans.
3. Make filling: blend the following in blender or food processor: 2 eggs, 2/3 c. sugar, 1/2 t. salt, 1 t. cinnamon, 1/4 t. ginger, 1/4 t. nutmeg, 1 C. powdered milk, 3 c. cooked pumpkin, water as needed.
4. Pour into crusts and bake about an hour at 350 degrees.
Pink Lemonade Pie (from Klixi Cannon’s traditional Thanksgiving evening meal of just pie) 1.make or buy a graham cracker crust 2.mix 1/2 gallon softened vanilla ice cream with 4 oz whipped topping (cool whip) and 1/2 can frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed 3.dump #2 into #3. freeze
December
Muppet advent calendar (Muppet version of O. Henry’s Gift of the Magi, a gift from the Larsons)
Caroling for neighbors passing out bread and sometimes a missionary item Messiah sing along
The Muppets’ Christmas Carol movie!
Christmas Eve –
read the Black family Christmas-story-and-songs book together.
Girls night upstairs- nail painting and talking about boys, and anything else.
Also last minute present finishing/wrapping.
Christmas morning –
open presents one by one starting with the youngest kid’s first present, then the second youngest’s first present...
and eat buffet of cheese and crackers, fruit, candy, and Christmas bread and EGG NOG
Egg Nog: mix in a blender: 1/2 c. milk powder, 1 raw egg, 3 c water, 1/3 c sugar, 1 sprinkle nutmeg
Christmas bread:
1. Dissolve in a small bowl: 1 T. yeast, 1 T. sugar, 1/2 c. hot water
2. bring to boil in a small saucepan or microwave 2-1/2 minutes: 1/2 c. margerine, 1 T. shortening, 1/2 c. water, 1/2 c. sugar, 2-1/2 t. salt
3. immediately add 1-1/2 C. cold milk to #2
4. place 2 c. flour in a large bowl. Add mixture from #3. stir. Add 3 beaten eggs. Stir. Add mixture from #1. stir.
5. add about 6 more c. flour until you have dough ready to knead . Add up to 1 more cup during kneading
6. rise to double
7. shape into 4 braided wreaths. Brush with egg. Bake 35 min at 350 on cookie sheets covered with foil
Pour 1C brown rice, 2-1/2 C water, 1T. Cajun seasoning, and a 15-oz can of chili beans into rice cooker. Cook. Stir in stewed tomatoes and red pepper flakes as desired. Bean Soup 1. soak beans overnight in water. Drain water 2. saute 1 chopped carrot, 1 lg chopped onion, 1 c. chopped celery, 1 T. minced garlic in olive oil in a big, heavy pan 3. add beans and 3 qt water to vegetables. Cook about an hour 4. add 1/2 t. dried basil, 1/2 t. dried oregano, 3/4 t. cumin, 6 oz tomato paste, 4 t. Vegeta seasoning, Tabasco sauce to taste Alternate cooking method: after soaking beans overnight and draining, cook at least 8 hrs in crock pot with 3 qt water. Add spices and vegetables after beans are soft.
Minestrone Soup
1. saute 1 C. diced carrots, 1 minced clove garlic, 1 c. chopped onions in olive oil in a big pot 2. add 1 c chopped cabbage 1 c. chopped celery, and water to cover several inches 3. heat to boiling. Add 1 c. dry pasta. Return to boil 4. add 1/4 t pepper, 1/4 t. rosemary, 2 t. vegeta, 1/4 t. thyme 5. cook about 10 min until pasta is tender. Remove from heat. 6. Add 1 c. frozen peas, 1 can kidney beans, 1 can tomato sauce. Let sit 5 min until peas are cooked Vegetable soup with dumplings 1. saute 1 onion in olive oil. Add 3 chopped carrots and cook until slightly brown 2. add 4 c. water, 4 c. tomato juice, 1c. Peas, 1 can corn, 1 t. basil, 1/4 t. pepper, 1 t. vegeta 3. heat to boiling. Spoon on dumpling batter: 1-1/4 c. whole wheat flour, 3-1/2t. Baking powder, 2 t. parsley, 3/4 c. milk. Cook covered 12 min.
Lentil Soup 1. saute 1 chopped onion in 3 T. olive oil 2. add 2 chopped carrots. Saute 3. add 7 c. water, 1-1/2 c. dry lentils, sprinkle of garlic powder and thyme, 1/2 t. lemon pepper, 2 bay leaves, 2 t. vegeta 4. cook about an hour 5. optional addition: 1/4 lb cubed ham or hot dogs 6. serve with biscuits
Biscuits 1. stir together: 4 c. flour, 2 T. baking powder, 2 t. salt, 2/3 C. oil, 1-3/4 C. milk 2. spoon onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake 10 min at 400 degrees
Bread Co. Broccoli-Cheddar Soup 1. boil 1/2 lb chopped broccoli, 1 C. chopped carrots 5-10 min until soft. Set aside 2. Saute 1/2 med. Onion in 1 T. butter in a heavy, large pan. 3. Add 1/4 C. butter and 1/4 C. flour. Mix well. 4. Slowly add in 2 C. half and half and 2 C. water with 1 t. Vegeta 5. add vegetables from #1 and as much water as desired to make soup desired consistency 6. add salt and pepper to taste 7. blend in blender or food processor or with an immersion blender if desired 8. add 8 oz sharp cheddar, 1/4 t. nutmeg. Stir and serve. (Chicken) Curry 1. saute 2 chopped carrots and 1 chopped onion in oil in a large, heavy pan 2. add 3 chopped potatoes and enough water to cover with an inch. Cook 10 min. 3. add 2 t. curry powder and 1/2 t. chili powder and 1 t. salt. Stir 4. add 2 T. flour mixed with 1/2 C. cold water. Stir in carefully until cooked and thickened. 5. Optional: add 1 can coconut and/or chopped cooked chicken 6. serve over rice or as a soup alternatively, you can throw everything but the oil into a crock pot and leave it cooking for several hours
Broccoli Divan 1. Cook 4 c. rice 2. steam 1 lb fresh chopped broccoli 3. mix 1/2 C. Mayonaise, 2 cans cream of mushroom soup, 1 t. curry powder 4. stir together #2 and #3. place in a microwave casserole dish. Top with grated cheddar. Microwave 5 minutes or more until cheese melts 5. serve #4 over rice in #1
Baked Potatoes with broccoli and cheese 1. wash a baking potato 2. bake it at 350 degrees for 45-60 min 3. top with steamed broccoli, salt, pepper, and shredded orange cheese 4. let sit 5 min for vegetables to cool and cheese to melt
Green Chile Enchiladas 1. chop 1 onion, grate 1-2 c. cheese 2. mix 2 cans cream of mushroom soup with 1 c. plain yogurt 1/2 c. milk, and a small can chopped green chiles 3. tear corn tortillas into fourths. (about 1-1/2 dozen) 4. layer soup, tortillas, cheese, and onions in a casserole dish. Repeat to make 3-4 layers 5. top with cheese 6. bake 30-40 min at 350 or 5 min on high in microwave 7. serve with green salad
Stir Fry 1. chop onions, broccoli, carrots, and whatever other vegetables you desire to use (cabbage and zuchini and summer squash are wonderful). 2. Stir fry each in oil (sesame is best, but canola is fine), removing each as you finish and adding more oil as needed 3. Stir together 2 T. soy sauce, 2 t. sugar, 1-1/2 t. cornstarch, 1/4 C. water. Cook in skillet/wok until thickened. This is the sauce. 4. Serve over rice Fried rice 1. saute 1/2 c. chopped onions in oil 2. add 2 c. other chopped vegetables as in stir fry 3. add 6 scrambled eggs and a cup or two of cooked rice 4. stir together and serve when eggs are cooked.
Ramen Noodle Broccoli Salad 1. toast in a dry skillet: 1/4 c. walnuts, 1/4 c. sesame seeds, 1 broken up pkg ramen noodles 2. chop up 1 lb broccoli and 3 green onions. Put in a large bowl 3. add #1 to bowl 4. In a small bowl combine: 1/3 C. sesame oil, 1/3 C. rice vinegar, 1/4 C. sugar, 1 t. vegeta. Mix well and pour onto mixture in large bowl. Stir well and serve.
Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad 1. Chop 1 lb broccoli and 1 head of cauliflower and mix in a large bowl 2. add 2/3 c. chopped red onion, 1/2 C. raisins, 1/4 C. sunflower seeds. Stir well 3. in a small bowl mix: 1/2 C. sugar, 1 C. mayonaise, 2 T. apple cider vinegar. Mix well and then pour over mixture in large bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve 4. add 2 C. shredded cheddar and a sprinkle of tvp bacon bits just before serving
Strawberry and Almond Salad 1. layer washed baby spinach leaves, sliced fresh strawberries, raisins, and slivered almonds 2. top with raspberry viniagrette or the following dressing: 2-1/2 T. raspberry or blueberry or balsamic vinegar, 1/3 c. walnut or grapeseed or almond oil, 1/4 t. salt, 1/3 t sugar, 1/4 t. pepper
Taco Salad layer: tortilla chips, shredded cheese, canned beans, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, salsa, avacados. Top with ranch dressing
Pasta House Salad 1. wash and 1tear up one head of iceberg and 1/3 head of romaine lettuce 2. add 1 C. artichoke hearts, 1 C. sliced red onions, 1 C. diced pimentos (optional) 3. in a small bowl mix: 2/3 c. olive oil, 1/3 c. good vinegar, 1 t. salt, 1/4 t. pepper. Mix well and pour on lettuce mixture 4. stir in 2/3 c. freshly grated parmesan cheese
No Fail Vinaigrette 1 c. olive oil, juice of 1 lemon or 1/4 c. good vinegar, 1 t. salt, 1 t. pepper, 1t. Minced garlic mix well. Optional: add fresh chopped herbs
February
Heart shaped sugar cookies for Valentine’s day
LHS Musicals: Once Upon a Mattress, Lucky Stiff, The Sound of Music, Sweet Charity, Cinderella, Little Shop of Horrors
Charissa’s birthday, Lydia’s birthday
March
William’s birthday -- quidditch games
St. Patrick's Day meal of : corned beef, boiled cabbage, boiled new potatoes, and rye bread. Leftovers made into Reuben Sandwiches with: rye bread, corned beef, swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and horseradish sauce.
April
General Conference – we love to listen to general conference together, if we’re not watching Lydia. Charissa and Katie sleep. (documented photos/drawings by Ari)
“Easter Bunny Day” – The day before Easter is when we have the easter egg hunt. We boil about 5 dozen eggs and color them on Friday. Then, on Saturday, we do the hunt and eat hard boiled egg sandwiches and deviled eggs for lunch after the hunt. On Easter, we eat leftover eggs and candy and try to focus on Jesus. We often do Myrna's egg game to read scriptures about the crucifixion and resurrection.
May
Katie’s birthday, Jon’s birthday
the Spirit Festival at LHS School
concerts
Memorial day ceremony with the LHS band next to Johnny’s Market
June
Ariana’s birthday
Swimming pool! We have a family pass and go as often as we can. For years we had lots of kids on the swim team. We love to swim!
July
We’ve watched 4th of July fireworks at the Arch, Webster Groves, and Kirkwood
Family Vacation – the essential element is a long time together in the car singing, talking, and playing games. Memorable elements include: The Ballad of Thundermoose and Cowdown
favorite places: North Carolina Outer Banks, Mesa Verde, Mexico, Yellowstone
August
school resumes
Mom’s birthday
September
October
Rose’s birthday
General Conference: we love watching general conference together. We take copious notes and do handwork (latchhook, embroidery, crochet, knitting) and sing and bask in the Spirit.
Halloween – Dad takes little kids trick or treating. If you’re taller than Mom, you host or go to a party instead.
Bake or boil at least one pumpkin to eat as a vegetable with meals and turn into pie
November
Dad’s birthday – he’s usually out of town at a meeting
Thanksgiving – Eat stuffed turkey (if you’re not a vegetarian) with grandma’s stuffing recipe, mashed potatoes, home made rolls, boiled yams, and pumpkin pie
Grandma Jones’ poultry dressing: (fills a 20-lb bird) We used this recipe growing up. We thought it was a treasured family recipe that had been handed down. When I was a freshman in college, I had my first Thanksgiving with Grandma and asked about the recipe. I learned that she’d never actually made this recipe but had just clipped it from the newspaper and sent it to my mom. But it’s a great recipe, and I still use it. 6 c. toasted bread crumbs, 1/2 c. diced onions, 1 c. diced celery, 1/2 c. melted margarine, 1 t. salt, 1 t. poultry seasoning. Mix and put into washed, salted bird cavities. Close cavities with toothpicks. Cook turkey in an oven bag according to directions.
Mashed potatoes: cut up washed potatoes and boil. (leave the skins on) Drain off most of the liquid. Add 1 stick margerine and 1/2 c. powdered milk. Mix with mixer. Add milk as needed to get the right consistency.
Klixi Cannon’s rolls: We had several Thanksgivings with the Cannon family, and Klixi makes wonderful rolls. This is her recipe with the platypus bill shape that Kevin’s family used when he was growing up. Mix 1 c. hot water, 1 T. yeast, 1/3 c. sugar. Proof. Add 4 c. flour, 2 T. dry milk powder, 1/3 c. butter, 1 t. salt. Mix in food processor. Rise to double. Shape into platypus bills: cut into circles, place a sliver of margarine in the center, fold in half, press in two fingers to make nostrils and close the shape. Let rise again. Bake about 15 min at 350 degrees.
Peggy Simpson’s Yams: We had Thanksgiving with the Simpson family in 1988 and 1990-1998? They were wonderful friends, and we miss them a lot. Boil: 1 stick butter, 1 c. sugar, 2 c. water, in a big pan filled with peeled, sliced, yams. Cook on high about 20 minutes.
Pumpkin Pie: (super healthy and delicious by using more pumpkin and less sugar than usual)
1. cook a fresh pumpkin by washing and seeding and then boiling chopped up chunks about 3 inches across.
2. Make 2 crusts: Mix 2 c. flour, 3/4 c. shortening, 1 t. salt until the mixture looks like coarse cornmeal. Add about 4-5 T. very cold water. Divide in half and roll out and place into pie pans.
3. Make filling: blend the following in blender or food processor: 2 eggs, 2/3 c. sugar, 1/2 t. salt, 1 t. cinnamon, 1/4 t. ginger, 1/4 t. nutmeg, 1 C. powdered milk, 3 c. cooked pumpkin, water as needed.
4. Pour into crusts and bake about an hour at 350 degrees.
Pink Lemonade Pie (from Klixi Cannon’s traditional Thanksgiving evening meal of just pie) 1.make or buy a graham cracker crust 2.mix 1/2 gallon softened vanilla ice cream with 4 oz whipped topping (cool whip) and 1/2 can frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed 3.dump #2 into #3. freeze
December
Muppet advent calendar (Muppet version of O. Henry’s Gift of the Magi, a gift from the Larsons)
Caroling for neighbors passing out bread and sometimes a missionary item Messiah sing along
The Muppets’ Christmas Carol movie!
Christmas Eve –
read the Black family Christmas-story-and-songs book together.
Girls night upstairs- nail painting and talking about boys, and anything else.
Also last minute present finishing/wrapping.
Christmas morning –
open presents one by one starting with the youngest kid’s first present, then the second youngest’s first present...
and eat buffet of cheese and crackers, fruit, candy, and Christmas bread and EGG NOG
Egg Nog: mix in a blender: 1/2 c. milk powder, 1 raw egg, 3 c water, 1/3 c sugar, 1 sprinkle nutmeg
Christmas bread:
1. Dissolve in a small bowl: 1 T. yeast, 1 T. sugar, 1/2 c. hot water
2. bring to boil in a small saucepan or microwave 2-1/2 minutes: 1/2 c. margerine, 1 T. shortening, 1/2 c. water, 1/2 c. sugar, 2-1/2 t. salt
3. immediately add 1-1/2 C. cold milk to #2
4. place 2 c. flour in a large bowl. Add mixture from #3. stir. Add 3 beaten eggs. Stir. Add mixture from #1. stir.
5. add about 6 more c. flour until you have dough ready to knead . Add up to 1 more cup during kneading
6. rise to double
7. shape into 4 braided wreaths. Brush with egg. Bake 35 min at 350 on cookie sheets covered with foil
OTHER RECIPES
Cajun Red Beans and RicePour 1C brown rice, 2-1/2 C water, 1T. Cajun seasoning, and a 15-oz can of chili beans into rice cooker. Cook. Stir in stewed tomatoes and red pepper flakes as desired. Bean Soup 1. soak beans overnight in water. Drain water 2. saute 1 chopped carrot, 1 lg chopped onion, 1 c. chopped celery, 1 T. minced garlic in olive oil in a big, heavy pan 3. add beans and 3 qt water to vegetables. Cook about an hour 4. add 1/2 t. dried basil, 1/2 t. dried oregano, 3/4 t. cumin, 6 oz tomato paste, 4 t. Vegeta seasoning, Tabasco sauce to taste Alternate cooking method: after soaking beans overnight and draining, cook at least 8 hrs in crock pot with 3 qt water. Add spices and vegetables after beans are soft.
Minestrone Soup
1. saute 1 C. diced carrots, 1 minced clove garlic, 1 c. chopped onions in olive oil in a big pot 2. add 1 c chopped cabbage 1 c. chopped celery, and water to cover several inches 3. heat to boiling. Add 1 c. dry pasta. Return to boil 4. add 1/4 t pepper, 1/4 t. rosemary, 2 t. vegeta, 1/4 t. thyme 5. cook about 10 min until pasta is tender. Remove from heat. 6. Add 1 c. frozen peas, 1 can kidney beans, 1 can tomato sauce. Let sit 5 min until peas are cooked Vegetable soup with dumplings 1. saute 1 onion in olive oil. Add 3 chopped carrots and cook until slightly brown 2. add 4 c. water, 4 c. tomato juice, 1c. Peas, 1 can corn, 1 t. basil, 1/4 t. pepper, 1 t. vegeta 3. heat to boiling. Spoon on dumpling batter: 1-1/4 c. whole wheat flour, 3-1/2t. Baking powder, 2 t. parsley, 3/4 c. milk. Cook covered 12 min.
Lentil Soup 1. saute 1 chopped onion in 3 T. olive oil 2. add 2 chopped carrots. Saute 3. add 7 c. water, 1-1/2 c. dry lentils, sprinkle of garlic powder and thyme, 1/2 t. lemon pepper, 2 bay leaves, 2 t. vegeta 4. cook about an hour 5. optional addition: 1/4 lb cubed ham or hot dogs 6. serve with biscuits
Biscuits 1. stir together: 4 c. flour, 2 T. baking powder, 2 t. salt, 2/3 C. oil, 1-3/4 C. milk 2. spoon onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake 10 min at 400 degrees
Bread Co. Broccoli-Cheddar Soup 1. boil 1/2 lb chopped broccoli, 1 C. chopped carrots 5-10 min until soft. Set aside 2. Saute 1/2 med. Onion in 1 T. butter in a heavy, large pan. 3. Add 1/4 C. butter and 1/4 C. flour. Mix well. 4. Slowly add in 2 C. half and half and 2 C. water with 1 t. Vegeta 5. add vegetables from #1 and as much water as desired to make soup desired consistency 6. add salt and pepper to taste 7. blend in blender or food processor or with an immersion blender if desired 8. add 8 oz sharp cheddar, 1/4 t. nutmeg. Stir and serve. (Chicken) Curry 1. saute 2 chopped carrots and 1 chopped onion in oil in a large, heavy pan 2. add 3 chopped potatoes and enough water to cover with an inch. Cook 10 min. 3. add 2 t. curry powder and 1/2 t. chili powder and 1 t. salt. Stir 4. add 2 T. flour mixed with 1/2 C. cold water. Stir in carefully until cooked and thickened. 5. Optional: add 1 can coconut and/or chopped cooked chicken 6. serve over rice or as a soup alternatively, you can throw everything but the oil into a crock pot and leave it cooking for several hours
Broccoli Divan 1. Cook 4 c. rice 2. steam 1 lb fresh chopped broccoli 3. mix 1/2 C. Mayonaise, 2 cans cream of mushroom soup, 1 t. curry powder 4. stir together #2 and #3. place in a microwave casserole dish. Top with grated cheddar. Microwave 5 minutes or more until cheese melts 5. serve #4 over rice in #1
Baked Potatoes with broccoli and cheese 1. wash a baking potato 2. bake it at 350 degrees for 45-60 min 3. top with steamed broccoli, salt, pepper, and shredded orange cheese 4. let sit 5 min for vegetables to cool and cheese to melt
Green Chile Enchiladas 1. chop 1 onion, grate 1-2 c. cheese 2. mix 2 cans cream of mushroom soup with 1 c. plain yogurt 1/2 c. milk, and a small can chopped green chiles 3. tear corn tortillas into fourths. (about 1-1/2 dozen) 4. layer soup, tortillas, cheese, and onions in a casserole dish. Repeat to make 3-4 layers 5. top with cheese 6. bake 30-40 min at 350 or 5 min on high in microwave 7. serve with green salad
Stir Fry 1. chop onions, broccoli, carrots, and whatever other vegetables you desire to use (cabbage and zuchini and summer squash are wonderful). 2. Stir fry each in oil (sesame is best, but canola is fine), removing each as you finish and adding more oil as needed 3. Stir together 2 T. soy sauce, 2 t. sugar, 1-1/2 t. cornstarch, 1/4 C. water. Cook in skillet/wok until thickened. This is the sauce. 4. Serve over rice Fried rice 1. saute 1/2 c. chopped onions in oil 2. add 2 c. other chopped vegetables as in stir fry 3. add 6 scrambled eggs and a cup or two of cooked rice 4. stir together and serve when eggs are cooked.
Ramen Noodle Broccoli Salad 1. toast in a dry skillet: 1/4 c. walnuts, 1/4 c. sesame seeds, 1 broken up pkg ramen noodles 2. chop up 1 lb broccoli and 3 green onions. Put in a large bowl 3. add #1 to bowl 4. In a small bowl combine: 1/3 C. sesame oil, 1/3 C. rice vinegar, 1/4 C. sugar, 1 t. vegeta. Mix well and pour onto mixture in large bowl. Stir well and serve.
Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad 1. Chop 1 lb broccoli and 1 head of cauliflower and mix in a large bowl 2. add 2/3 c. chopped red onion, 1/2 C. raisins, 1/4 C. sunflower seeds. Stir well 3. in a small bowl mix: 1/2 C. sugar, 1 C. mayonaise, 2 T. apple cider vinegar. Mix well and then pour over mixture in large bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve 4. add 2 C. shredded cheddar and a sprinkle of tvp bacon bits just before serving
Strawberry and Almond Salad 1. layer washed baby spinach leaves, sliced fresh strawberries, raisins, and slivered almonds 2. top with raspberry viniagrette or the following dressing: 2-1/2 T. raspberry or blueberry or balsamic vinegar, 1/3 c. walnut or grapeseed or almond oil, 1/4 t. salt, 1/3 t sugar, 1/4 t. pepper
Taco Salad layer: tortilla chips, shredded cheese, canned beans, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, salsa, avacados. Top with ranch dressing
Pasta House Salad 1. wash and 1tear up one head of iceberg and 1/3 head of romaine lettuce 2. add 1 C. artichoke hearts, 1 C. sliced red onions, 1 C. diced pimentos (optional) 3. in a small bowl mix: 2/3 c. olive oil, 1/3 c. good vinegar, 1 t. salt, 1/4 t. pepper. Mix well and pour on lettuce mixture 4. stir in 2/3 c. freshly grated parmesan cheese
No Fail Vinaigrette 1 c. olive oil, juice of 1 lemon or 1/4 c. good vinegar, 1 t. salt, 1 t. pepper, 1t. Minced garlic mix well. Optional: add fresh chopped herbs
