Food Valentine Greeting

Cabbage always has a heart;

Green beans string along.

You’re such a Tomato.

Will you Peas to me belong?

You’ve been the Apple of my eye,

You know how much I care;

So Lettuce get together,

We’d make a perfect Pear.

Now, something’s sure to Turnip.

To prove you can’t be Beet;

So, if you Carrot all for me

Let’s let our tulips meet.

Don’t Squash my hopes and dreams now,

Be my Honey dear;

Or tears will fill Potato’s eyes,

While Sweet Corn lends an ear.

I’ll Cauliflower shop and say

Your dreams are Parsley mine.

I’ll work and share my Celery,

So be my valentine!

                        Source Unknown

February has been designated as National Cherry Month. This is a quick history of cherries in the United States:

            Cherries won the hearts of Americans many years ago. European settlers had barely set foot in the New World before they began planting cherry trees. Early French colonists from Normandy brought cherry pits that they planted along the St. Lawrence River and beside the Great Lakes.

            It wasn’t until the late 1800’s that cherry growing and harvesting began in earnest, eventually becoming a commercial enterprise. A missionary, Peter Dougherty, is credited with getting the United States cherry industry started. In 1852 he planted a group of cherry trees on the Old Mission Peninsula, near Traverse City Michigan. The trees flourished and soon other residents of the area planted cherry trees. The area long Lake Michigan from Benton Harbor to north of Traverse City proved to be ideal for growing cherries.

            Today in Michigan there are almost 4 million cherry trees, which annually produce 150-200 tons of tart cherries. Michigan leads the nation in the production of tart cherries harvesting about three-fourth of the United States crop. .They are always grown in Utah, Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington.

Mini Cherry Cobbler

1 can (21 ounces)  cherry pie filling

1 tube (6 ounces) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits, separated into 5 pieces

1 tablespoon butter or oleo, melted

2 teaspoons sugar

2 teaspoons brown sugar

1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

            Set aside some of the pie filling, including five cherries for garnish. Divide the remaining filling among five ungreased custard cups. Top each with a biscuit, brush with butter. Combine sugars and cinnamon; sprinkle over biscuits. Bake at 375 degrees for 14-18 minutes or until biscuits are browned. Top with reserved pie filling. Makes 5 servings.                       

Hints Using Cola

• If you have cooked on crud, pour some cola into the pan, and bring it to a boil. The carbonation and heat will work together to loosen that mess! This same procedure will remove lime scale from the inside of your teapot. Just pour it in and bring to a boil.
   

• Cola is also a great de-greaser; pour over a load of greasy work clothes, on a greasy stain in your garage or even a nasty spill in the kitchen. It will break up the grease so it is easy to clean away.
   

• Sluggish drain? Pour some cola down there. It will bubble and fizz away greasy build-up keeping your drains flowing smoothly.
   

• If you need to remove a rusty bolt, cola to the rescue, it will loosen the corrosion in no time! It will also clean rust off of all sorts of other metal surfaces. Pour a little on a scrubbing pad and go to work, the rust will disappear.
   

• Pour a can of Cola down your toilet. Wait an hour and scrub away those stubborn stains.

Oregano

Sharp, tangy and peppery, oregano is an indispensable herb in favorite dishes like pizza and spaghetti. But for centuries, this close relative to milder-tasting marjoram was used only for medicinal purposes. It wasn’t until World War II that oregano really caught on as a seasoning.

How To Reduce Infections

• Handwashing  helps to prevent the spread of upper respiratory infections more than any other approach.
   

• Wash the hands after blowing or touching the nose.
   

• Discourage habits of touching the mouth and nose.
   

• Discourage cloth handkerchiefs and encourage the use of paper tissues.
   

• Avoid smoking in the home. The inhalation of passive smoke increases the frequency and severity of all upper respiratory infections.
   

• Clean all contaminated areas with a disinfectant so as to kill most bacteria that cause infections.
   

• Don’t share washcloths and towels. In public restrooms, use paper towels.
   

• Discourage isolation. By the time the person shows symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, all the other members of the family have already shared the germs.

Black Bean Chili

1 onion, diced

1 pound ground turkey

1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

1 & 1/2 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon dried basil leaves

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 (15 ounce) cans black beans, undrained

            In a large heavy pot over medium heat, cook onion and garlic until onions are translucent. Add turkey and cook, stirring, until meat is brown. Stir in beans, tomatoes, chili powder, oregano, basil and vinegar. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 60 minutes or more, until flavors are well blended.

Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 Clark candy bars (1 & 3/4 ounces each), crushed (can use Butterfingers)

            In a mixing bowl, combine peanut butter and sugar; beat in egg and vanilla. Stir in candy bars. Roll into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 325 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool. Makes 2 dozen. This recipe does not contain flour.

Potato Pancakes

4 cups shredded peeled potatoes (about 4 large)

1 egg, slightly beaten

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon grated onion

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Cooking oil

            Rinse potatoes in cold water; drain well. Place in a large bowl. Add egg, flour, onion, salt and pepper, mix well. In a skillet heat 1/4 inch of oil over medium heat. Drop batter by 1/3 cupfuls into hot oil. Flatten to form a pancake. Fry until golden brown, turn and brown the other side. Drain on paper towels. Serve immediately. Serves 6.

Simple Dinner

1 pound ground beef

2 cups water

1 can (21 ounces) pork and beans, undrained

1 can (14-1/2 ounces) tomatoes with liquid, cut up

1 envelope sloppy joe mix

1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni

            In a large saucepan, brown ground beef, drain. Add pork and beans, tomatoes and sloppy joe mix. Bring to a boil; add macaroni and reduce heat. Cover and simmer 10 minutes or until macaroni is almost cooked. Makes 8 servings for lunch to take with you in thermoses.

Spaghetti Pie

6 ounces spaghetti

2 tablespoons butter or oleo

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup cottage cheese

1 pound ground beef

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup chopped sweet red pepper

1 can (8 ounces) tomatoes with liquid, cut up

1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

            Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain and place in a bowl. Add butter, egg, and Parmesan cheese; mix well. Spread over the bottom and up the sides of a greased 10 inch deep-dish pie plate. Spoon cottage cheese into crust; set aside. In a skillet, brown beef, onion and red pepper until beef is browned; drain. Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, oregano and garlic salt. Spoon over cottage cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese, return to the oven for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Cut into wedges. Makes 6 servings.

Southwestern Seasoning Mix

1/4 cup chili powder

1/4 cup onion powder

2 tablespoons ground cumin

2 tablespoons ground coriander

2 tablespoons dried oregano

2 tablespoons dried basil

1 tablespoon dried thyme

1 tablespoon garlic powder

            Combine all ingredients. Store in an airtight container. Use as a seasoning for cooked vegetables, grilled meats or chip dips.

                        Beef Noodle Soup

1 pound ground beef

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) Italian stewed tomatoes

2 cans (10-1/2 ounces each) beef broth

1 can (16 ounces) mixed vegetables, drained

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 cup uncooked medium egg noodles

            In  a Dutch oven or soup kettle, brown beef and onions; drain. Add tomatoes, broth, vegetables and seasonings. Bring to a boil; add noodles. Reduce heat to medium-low’; cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until the noodles are done. Makes 6-8 servings.

Mary Hoff worked at the Platteville Journal  before she got married.  After a few years, she started a column at the Tri-County Press and also covered Cole Acres Notes. When the Tri-County Press was sold to Bill Hale in Lancaster,  he asked to carry the column in the Grant County Independent.  Mary says she writes, "just to keep my mind from getting rusty." 

mjandmjh@pcii.net

"Be sure to send me your comments, recipes, or helpful tips."