Elmer and Mary Mesmer

is then ready for frying.

Marinated Three Bean Salad

1 can green beans - good quality

1 can wax yellow beans

1 can kidney beans

1 med sized bell pepper sliced and chopped

1 med onion sliced and chopped

1/2 cup oil ( veg or olive)

1/2 cup vinegar

1/2 cup sugar

If desired 1-1/2 teas salt, and pepper. Drain and rinse kidney beans. Drain additional beans. Combine all ingredients place in frig..... best after 2-3 days. Very good.

Baked Flounder

Cover baking dish with foil leaving enough to cover fish for baking. place fish in pan, sprinkle both sides with lemon pepper, salt, pepper paprika and parsley. add to top side pats of butter. cover with foil add about 1/4 cup water to pan. bake at 350 degrees for about 30 mins before serving squeeze lemon juice over fish.

 Same method can be used to bake bass, catfish, etc. remove bones before serving.

BBQ Brisket Moms style Soak 1/2 bag of wood chips overnight, drain off water. Divide into two portions. Add first portion at beginning of bbq and the other in the middle, after the brisket begins to cook, about an hour. Now this is the easy part..... put a whole average sized bag of charcoal in a mound, light and wait until the top has ashed. Spread this out evenly over bbq pit . Add wood chips. Cover brisket with foil in deep pan filled with enough water to come even with brisket.  Cook for 1 hour.  Remove completely from heat., discard liquid from pan. Stir coals carefully using 2 meat forks.

  Put brisket directly on rack above coals and braise /cook for about 10 mins. turn. Place back in pan, coat with a bbq sauce mixture (recipe below) uncover and cook for 1 hour.

Take off pit, keep liquid in pan, place back on grill for 10 mins on each side, basting with sauce, then return to pan, make sure enough liquid is there to be even with brisket, add water if necessary. However long you continue this depends on the size of the brisket . A meat thermometer should read at least 180 degrees to be done.

Of course, this is TEXAS, adjust to your liking.

At a meal pop and I catered for 190 folks, we soaked the brisket in Chablis wine before cooking it was delicious.

Some sprinkle seasoning on the brisket and add no sauce, others add picante sauce and beer to store brands....... just use your imagination. The secret is in charring the brisket as you cook it to get the best flavor. Linda taught me how to do this. You can start with fewer coals and add hot coals as needed if your pit is small. If using a smoker make sure you have a pan of water inside to insure moisture.

Hawaiian Beef and Noodles

sorta cheating,

2 pkgs oriental ramen noodles

2 cups frozen italian vegs

4 tbs finely sliced onions

2 lbs hamburger, cooked and drained.

season beef with seasoning packet of noodles set aside

using directions on package of ramen combine all ingredients except beef and onions. simmer 3 mins. add beef and onion. season with salt and pepper as needed.

Quick chicken and dumplings

to Dutch oven or large pot, add boned chicken pieces in small sizes, 1 can chicken broth, parsley, salt, pepper, add equal parts milk and water to cover chicken. bring to a boil, careful not to burn. lower heat to med.

add 1-2 cans biscuits, by tearing in 1/2 each biscuit and adding to liquid. cover for 10 mins, cook until biscuits are done. add additional bullion cubes if needed for chicken flavor. if biscuits are eaten and broth is left -use it again following the same process.

Pops chicken noodle soup

cook chicken in boiling water until tender. remove, debone and cut into serving size pieces. in separate pot cook 1 cup each onion and celery adding 1/2 stick butter and 1 can chicken broth. cook until vegs are done. add to original broth. season with: salt and pepper. add a couple cups or how many you want of wide noodles, I use a whole bag. cook in broth until tender. add more chicken broth, or chicken bullion cubes to get a good chicken flavor. sprinkle with parsley before serving......

Crunchy Fried Steak

Now this was a staple we all loved when the family was together and growing up. - Poor mans chicken fried steak.

hamburger meat ( amount according to servings needed)at least 1/4 LB per person.

cracker crumbs

egg and milk mix, one 1/4 cup milk per egg

salt, pepper, paprika, parsley to taste

mix meat into patties.

dip in milk and egg mix then in cracker crumbs repeat for good coverage. fry in med hot skillet until burger is done and browned well on both sides. serve with country gravy

Cole Slaw

finely cut cabbage or shred,

shred one carrot

garlic salt to taste

mayonnaise( miracle whip is best)

1 tbs sugar

variations

add 1 small can crushed pineapple or

add 1/2 cup sour cream or

add finely chopped 1/2 cup onion and celery. or

add 2 tbs wine vinegar

Continental Breakfast

fresh strawberries

cut cantaloupe pieces

cut honey due melon pieces

boiled eggs

serve according to how many are eating - 4 berries to each person, serving of melons, and 1 egg. put egg in small bowl... serve melon and berries with picks.

this was served at German hotel in Frankfort.

Crab Salad

either 2 small cans crab meat, drained and rinsed or 1/2 pkg imitation crab meat flaked and chunked. enough to make 2 cups.

chopped lettuce

chopped tomatoes

parsley

miracle whip

add all together and chill.

Classic Deviled Eggs

Serve for any occasion, whether it be a wedding feast, a picnic in the park, or for lunch or dinner!

Items Needed: (for 12 Deviled Eggs)

6 hard boiled Eggs (large)

3 tablespoons mayonnaise or salad dressing

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon mustard (honey mustard is great!)

1 teaspoon vinegar

salt & pepper to taste

paprika (optional)

To boil eggs, place eggs in enough cold water to cover completely, bring to a rolling boil over high heat.

Reduce heat to a lower MEDIUM BOIL and cook an additional 12 minutes.

Promptly chill eggs so yolks stay bright yellow.

Remove shells from eggs, and halve lengthwise with a knife.

Carefully remove the yolks, and place in a medium bowl.

Mash yolks with a fork, and add remaining ingredients.

Very carefully spoon mixture back into the egg white halves. Garnish with a light sprinkling of paprika (optional).

 Enjoy!

Dream Creme Pie

2 cooked deep dish pie shells.

2 containers cool whip or equivalent redi whip etc.

2 cans mixed fruit - drained

mix whipped topping with fruit. put in pie shells, freeze.

you can also add chopped nuts if desired. this is delicious for the holidays.