Fruit Punch

Otherwise known as banana slush, this recipe was used by Mom and many others at baby showers, wedding receptions, church functions, etc.  I don't know anyone who doesn't like it!

3 ripe bananas, mashed
juice of 3 oranges
juice of 3 lemons
1 large can (46 oz.) pineapple juice
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup water
7-up
Heat the sugar and water to make a thin syrup.  Remove from heat when sugar is dissolved.  Let cool.  Combine bananas, juices and syrup.  Freeze until mushy (or completely freeze and let thaw one hour before serving).  Whip with electric beater.   Add 7-up to taste and serve.

Pancakes

You'll never settle for pancakes from a mix after tasting these.

2 eggs

2 1/2 cups buttermilk

1 tsp. baking soda

2 1/2 cups flour

2 tsp. sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt
4 Tablespoons melted shortening or vegetable oil


Beat the eggs and combine with buttermilk.  Combine all dry ingredients in a separate bowl.  Add the egg/milk mixture.  Add the shortening or oil and beat well.  Pour batter onto a hot griddle (375 to 400 degrees).  Flip when air bubbles on the top of pancakes start to pop.  Mmmmmm.

Marinated Cabbage Salad

4 cups shredded cabbage
1/2 cup green pepper, chopped fine
1/2 cup red pepper, chopped fine
1 onion, sliced thin or minced

Dressing:
1 cup sugar*
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup water
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup vinegar
1/2 tsp. celery seed

Combine dressing ingredients and pour over cabbage, peppers and onions.  Let stand in a covered container in the refrigerator for least 6 hours.

*Can substitute 5 packages of "Sweet & Low."

Mom noted that this recipe came from "Marion at Diet Group" and was dated March of 1974.  I'm not really sure if this is low calorie, but it tastes wonderful.

Apple Nut Loaf

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 cup grated apples

1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
2 cups sifted flour
1 cup chopped nuts
1 tsp. grated orange rind
1 1/2 Tbls. buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla

Topping:  3 Tbls. sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon

Cream sugar and shortening.  Add eggs and apples.  Combine sifted flour, soda, salt,  orange rind and nuts in a separate bowl.  Add to apple mixture.  Stir in buttermilk and vanilla.
Pour into a greased and lightly floured loaf pan and sprinkle with the cinnamon/sugar topping.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for one hour, or until it tests done.

I found two versions of this recipe, both being quite similar.  One called for only 1/2 cup of nuts and the other had no orange rind.  I combined the recipes and used the orange rind and a full cup of nuts (I used walnuts).  Mom wrote a note on one of the recipes to "top with cherries, nuts and citron for a Christmas loaf" as an option.

Chocolate Drop Cookies

I have a theory that a recipe stained and tattered from use must be good.  Such is the case with these yummy cookies!

1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
2 squares unsweetened baking chocolate
1/2 c. shortening, melted
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Sift four, salt and baking powder together.  Melt chocolate and add to melted shortening.  Add sugar, egg, milk and then sifted dry ingredients.  Let stand 10 minutes.  Drop from teaspoon onto greased baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes.  Frost if desired.  Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

Fruit Salad

Let it be know that the standard fruit salad in our house (usually served on Sundays with roast beef and mashed potatoes) was simply bananas, apples and pineapple chunks mixed with Miracle Whip.  This is a more dessert-like salad and is quite good.

One 3 oz. package vanilla tapioca pudding
One 3 oz. package vanilla pudding & pie filling
3 Tlbs. orange juice concentrate
One 20 oz. can pineapple tidbits, drained
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
3 cups of liquid from fruit, plus orange juice concentrate and water
2 or 3 bananas, sliced
Mini-marshmallows

Combine pudding mixes with 3 cups liquid.  Cook over medium heat until mixture thickens and boils.  Add pineapple and mandarin oranges.  Cool thoroughly.  Add sliced bananas and desired amount of marshmallows and serve.