Marjoram

May be used both dry or green.  Used to flavor fish, poultry, omelets, lamb, stew, stuffing and tomato juice.

Mint

Leaves are aromatic with a cool flavor.  Excellent in beverages, fish, cheese, lamb, soup, peas, carrots. and fruit desserts.

Oregano

Strong aromatic odor.  Use whole or ground to spice tomato juice, fish, eggs,pizza, omelets, chili, stew, gravy, poultry and vegetables.

Paprika

A bright red pepper.  This spice is used in meat, vegetables and soups.  Can be used as a garnish for potatoes, salads or eggs.

Parsley

Best when used fresh but can be used dry.  Use as garnish or seasoning.  Try in fish, omelets, soup, meat, stuffing and mixed greens.

Rosemary

Very aromatic, used fresh or dried.  Season fish, stuffing, beef, lamb, poultry, onions, eggs and bread.

Saffron

Orange yellow in color, this spice is used to flavor or color foods.  Use in soup, chicken, rice and   fancy breads.

Sage

Use fresh or dried.  The flowers are sometimes used in salads.  May be used in tomato juice, fish, fondue, omelets, beef, poultry, stuffing, cheese spreads, cornbread and biscuits.

Tarragon

Leaves have a pungent, hot taste.  Use to flavor sauces, salads, meat, poultry, tomatoes and dressings.

There you have it.  A few more herbs and spices to get acquainted with.  Try them often and enjoy the new flavors in your life!!!

gogi

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Basil 

Sweet warm flavor with an aromatic odor, used whole or ground.  Good with lamb, fish, roast, stews, ground beef, vegetables, dressing and omelets.

Bay leaves

A pungent  flavor , use whole leaf but remove fefore serving.  Good in vegetable dishes, fish and seafood, stew and pickles.

Caraway

Has a spicy smell and aromatic taste.  Use in cakes, breads, soups, cheese and sauerkraut.

Chives

Sweet mild flavor of onion, this herb is excellent in salads, fish, soups and potatoes.

Curry Powder

A number of spices combined to proper proportions to give a distinct flavor to such dishes as meat, poultry, fish and vegetables.

Dill

Both seeds and leaves of dill are flavorful.  Leaves may be used to garnish or cook with fish, soup, dressings, potatoes and beans.  Leaves of the whole plant may be used to spice dill pickles.  

Fennel

Both seeds and leaves are used.  It has a sweet hot flavor.  Use in small quantities in pies and baked goods.  Leaves can be boiled with fish.

Ginger

A pungent root, this aromatic spice is sold fresh, fried, or gound.  Used in pickles, preserves, cakes, cookies, soups and meat dishes.

Try to become more acquainted with the herbs and spices available.  They really do enhance your cooking and baking. 

More info on herbs and spices later.

gogi

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Aunt Eleanor used to make the best sandwiches when we were kids and we always called them Aunt Eleanor’s sammiches.  They could  be any flavor:

peanut butter and lots of jelly

egg salad with lots of lettuce and mayo

good ole bologna with all the triimmings- sliced onions, garden tomatoes, lettuce, mayo, mustard or you name it

scrambled egg and bacon sandwich…….

Whatever it was we always liked her to conger us up a good one.

You can do that also with whatever it is you have in your refrigerator or cupboard.  Be creative!! You will be surprised what might become a family favorite and memory.

Some of my most favoarite foods are ones grandma uised to make when money was short and things were tough.\

Enjoy.

gogi

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Here is a quick bread for breakfast or a brunch.

3 cups baking mix

1/3 cup sugar

3 eggs

3 T. grated orange peel

3/4 cup orange juice (fresh or frozen)

3/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Orange glaze:

Makes one loaf 9×5x3- preheat oven 350 degrees

Mix baking mix, sugar, eggs, orange peel and orange juice and beat 1/2 minute on slow speed.  Beat another 2 1/2 minutes on medium.  Stir in nuts and bake for 55 to 60 minutes.

Orange glaze: Mix 1 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 cup butter or margarine melted, 1 T. grated orange peel, 1 T. orange juice.  Mix thoroughly…  If needed add more juice.

Try this some morning with a great cup of your favorite coffee!

gogi

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This is a cheese ball you can make ahead without much fuss.

2 pkgs. cream cheese

2 cups sharp shredded  cheddar cheese

l T. chopped green onion

l T. chopped green and red bell pepper

2 T. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. lemon juice

Finely chopped pecans (amount as desired)

Soften and mix cheeses.  Add remaining ingredients except nuts.  Chill.  Add nuts and form into ball. Save some of the nuts to roll the cheese ball in.

You could make this into a centerpiece for a a snack table. 

Enjoy,

Gogi

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 WOW!  Here is an easy snack!  I was just talking to my friend Barb in Georgia and she gave me this recipe.  Just follow the simple directions.

box of Ritz crackers

jar of peanut butter

chocolate chips

Melt chocolate chips in double boiler VERY CAREFULLY.  While melting chocolate spread peanut butter between Ritz crackers making little sandwiches/cookies. 

Dip each little sandwich/cookie  into melted chocolate.  Remove and let cool on waxed paper.

This is sure to be a hit with both the young and old!!!!  Thanks Barb  for this quick and easy recipe.

You all enjoy,

Gogi

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I just finished making the crust for a cookie pizza.  I took a package of sugar cookie mix from the cupboard, mixed as directed and spread it on an ungreased round pizza pan and baked according to directions.  It is cooling now and later I will put the topping on it. 

1 8 ounce package of cream cheese softened

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup chopped salted peanuts

Mix together first 3 ingredients and spread on cooled crust.  Sprnkle peanuts over top.  Take chocolate ice cream or carmel topping and drizzle across the top.  Makes a great snack or dessert for family or company.  Refrigerate leftovers.

If you are going to eat this right away, slice some granny apples, dip in lemon juice and scatter across the top of pizza before adding the topping.  I prefer not to unless I know it is going to be used right away because the apples might not look so great after a while even if you dipped them. 

Enjoy,

gogi

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Combine 1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cuup brown ssugar

2 unbeaten eggs

Sift together

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

Add to creamed mixture above.

Then add to that mixture

1 cup coconut

1 cup oats

i tsp. vanilla

Drop from a spoon onto a greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

This is  a really quick and inexpensive recipe to make.  You can add raisins, nuts, cranraisins, or any other cut up dried fruits or just leave it plain.

LIKE I ALWAYS SAY- BE CREATIVE!!!

gogi

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Summer is coming and we are all looking for something we don’t have to turn on the heat  to prepare.  This salad takes a small amount of preparation time , but not much. 

1/4 cup shredded carrots

1 red apple diced

1/4 cup nuts chopped

1/3 cup raisins

1/4 cup sour cream

1 T lemon juice

1/2 cup cottage cheese

lettuce leaves

Combine all ingredients, except the last two; chill; place on lettuce and top witih cottage cheese.

You can make this into a larger recipe because this only serves one.

Enjoy

gogi

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