Grandma's Date Pinwheel Cookies...

This was my Grandma's recipe. She made these the size of cinnamon rolls. They were her trademark specialty cookie. This was my Mom's favorite cookies during the holidays and each year I made her a huge tin full. I like to make them any time of year, it just so happens I wanted to use up some dates that I had and these were what came to mind this week.

I cook my dates before making the dough. This gives them a chance to cool down before I start my dough. if my dough sits while the dates are cooking and cooling, it tends to dry out and crumble when you roll into the pinwheel log.

Dough:
1 C. brown sugar
1 C. white sugar
1 C. shortening
3 eggs, beaten
4 C. flour
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt


Date Filling:
1 pound of dates, chopped
1 C. sugar
1/2 C. water

Mix dough and on a lightly floured surface roll to 1/4 inch thickness.
You can divide the dough into 2 equal parts for smaller cookies.

In the top of a double boiler, bring date mixture to a boil.
Let cool.

Spread dates over the top of dough and spread evenly. I roll these out on wax paper, then I just roll the dough by pulling them over into a log by pulling the wax paper away... it's much easier this way. Roll like tightly like a jelly roll.

Wrap the rolls in wax paper and chill over night.
Cut into slices and bake at 375 degrees until light golden. Don't over bake, a nice light golden brown will produce a chewy cookie.

Soda Pop Cake...

It always seems I make this cake in the summer. Maybe it's because ever since my son was 5 he always wanted this cake for his birthday, which is in June. It's a family favorite, as well as anyone I have made it for. Enjoy!

Bake a Duncan Hines Butter Yellow Cake Mix according to directions. Let Cool. This has to be the Butter cake not a plain yellow cake. The results would be very soggy.

Punch holes with a fork all over the top.

Mix together and pour over cake:
1 Large pkg. strawberry Jell-O
1 1/2 C. boiling water
3/4- 1 can strawberry soda pop

Let cake cool about an hour.

Blend together and frost with:
1 large box of vanilla instant pudding, prepared according to directions. Letting it set for the required amount of time.
1 small tub of Cool Whip

Refrigerate.

Tamale Lentil Casserole...

I had this dish awhile back at my friend Mendy's. It was delicious! I am always looking for a meatless meal to make and this one is a keeper. In case you don't have an corn bread mixes in the house and have corn meal, there is an alternative recipe for the cornbread topping.


For lentil mixture:

1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 cups water
1 ¼ cups dried lentils (10 oz.), sorted and rinsed
1 can (14 oz.) tomato sauce
1 package (1.25 oz.) taco seasoning mix
Cooking spray

For cornbread topping mixture:

1 pkg. (8 ½ oz.) cornbread muffin mix
1 can (8 ½ oz.) cream-style corn
½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese (about 2 oz.)
¼ cup milk
1 large egg

Alternate cornbread recipe from scratch. (Cornbread Topping )
1/2 C. cornmeal
1/2 C. wonder flour
1-1/2 Tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt1 8.5-oz. can cream-style corn
1/2 C. shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 C. milk
1 large egg
Mix all ingredients just until moistened.

Heat oil in 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook onion, bell pepper and garlic in oil, stirring frequently, until vegetables are tender.

Stir in water, lentils, tomato sauce and seasoning mix; reduce heat to low. Partially cover and simmer 35 to 40 minutes, or until lentils are tender.

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Spray 2-quart casserole with cooking spray.

Prepare cornbread topping by mixing all topping ingredients together in a bowl until moistened.
Spoon lentil mixture into casserole. Spread topping evenly over lentil mixture.
Bake uncovered 15-20 minutes until topping is golden brown.

Makes 6 servings, about 1 ¼ cups each. Per serving: 295 calories, 8 gm fat, 3 gm saturated fat, 45 mg cholesterol, 48 gm carbohydrates, 2 gm fiber, 10 gm protein, 1,000 mg sodium.

Overnight Layered Salad...

Shred 1 head of lettuce in a wide shallow bowl.
Top with 1 1/2 C. sliced thin green onions.

Layer in this order:
1 C. thin sliced celery
1 can sliced water chestnuts
1 pkg. frozen peas, thawed

Spread 2 C. mayonnaise evenly over the top
Sprinkle with 2 tsp. sugar

1/2 C. parmesan cheese
1 tsp. seasoned salt
1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Cover and chill as long as 24 hours.

Just before serving, spread 3 chopped hard boiled eggs
1/2 lb. crumbled bacon
Cut 2 medium tomatoes into wedges and arrange on top.

Every time I take this salad to a potluck it seems to be a crowd pleaser. Most of the time I leave the eggs out of this recipe. It's good either way.

Mom’s Egg and Lettuce Salad...

1/2 head of iceberg lettuce, torn in pieces
2 hard boiled eggs, chopped
1 green onion, chopped
parsley flakes
salt and pepper

Mix all the above ingredients in a salad bowl and toss lightly with mayonnaise. If too much mayonnaise is used the salad will be soggy.So it is best to use a little and add more if needed. Also make sure the lettuce is dry.

My Mom made this quick and easy salad all the time for us as children and when we came to visit with out families. There was just something about the way she made it that it was always just right and not soggy. Using a little mayo at a time is the key.

Chicken and Grape Salad...

6-8 chicken breasts, boiled, boned and diced
1 can pineapple tidbits or chunks, drained
1 1/2 C. seedless green or red grapes
1/2 C. diced celery
1/3 C. chopped walnuts

Toss all the ingredients with Miracle Whip salad dressing. Not mayo!
Serve on a bed of lettuce.


My cousin made this for us when we went back to Michigan in 1973. I have been making it ever since and it has been a family favorite in the hot summer months.

Crunchy Pea Salad...

I really like this pea salad. I like the crunchiness of it and the flavor. You could almost have all the ingredients on hand for a last minute side dish. it's important to have it thoroughly chilled for the best flavor.

1-10 oz. package of frozen peas, thawed
1-8 oz. can sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 C. thinly sliced celery
1/2 C. sliced green onions
1/4 C. mayonnaise
1/4 C. sour cream
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt, optional

In a bowl, combine the first 4 ingredients.
In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and seasoned salt.
Mix well and add to pea mixture, toss to coat.
Chill until serving.

Poppy Seed Mandarin Orange Salad...

Dressing, mix in food processor:
3/4 C. sugar
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. salt
1/3 C. cider vinegar
1 Tbsp. onion
Beat in 1 C. olive oil
Stir in 2 Tbsp. poppy seeds
Make dressing ahead of time.
Put in a jar and either stir or shake through out the day to dissolve the sugar.

Mix together:
Iceberg lettuce and Romaine 2-3 heads
2-3 avocados, diced
2 C. shredded red cabbage
2 cans mandarin oranges, drained
1 can water chestnuts
1 C. roasted almonds
4 green onions, sliced

This is great for luncheons or brunches.