Another Woman's Recipe Box

I bought this box  full of recipes at an estate sale. I couldn't wait to get home and look thru it  and see what old recipes I would find. The box wasn't in the greatest shape, paint had been spilled on it, it had a few dings and several rusty spots, but it had to hold true treasures. Reading cookbooks and looking thru recipes is a hobby of mine.  I wanted to make myself a cup of hot chocolate, settle on my comfy couch and see what treasures my little box held. Once I started going thru the box, I started to feel like I was invading someone's privacy. I started thinking about the woman who had owned it before me. Inside I found clippings from newspapers, some as old as 1963 and 1972, hand written recipes and recipes taken from the backs of boxes. There were recipes held together with straight pins, some were written on recipe cards and some on scratch paper. I started thinking about the woman who saw a recipe in a newspaper and thought to herself,  "ooh! that sounds good" or my husband, son or daughter would like that. How much time had she taken to collect them all. I can imagine she swapped recipes with a friend. What stories could my little box tell if it could. I wondered about the recipes that were flops and the ones that turned out great. I did find several recipes I would like to make. But I didn't only find a treasure of recipes but  a respect for someone I never met and never will. I first thought that I would take all the recipes out and give it a good scrubbing but on second thought I didn't. The box represents that woman's life, the recipes she collected thru the years,  the dents and dings everyone gets thru life, how could I try to make it look new. I now wonder what my recipe collection will tell about me, hopefully that I love my family, my home and God.

This will be posted to Gold Star Wednesday's, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday,  Foodie Friday and Tasty Tuesday

Gumbo

I came up with this recipe a couple of years ago to use leftover turkey from Christmas. It is a little spicy but is a great way to use turkey, chicken or ham. You can throw everything in a pot and let it simmer while you relax from a busy holiday. I use okra I have sliced and frozen from my garden. The other ingredients I buy ahead of time to have on hand. 

Ingredients:

2 cups chopped cooked turkey, chicken or ham

1 package turkey polish sausage, chopped

1/2 chopped onion

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp salt

2 bay leaves

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/8 tsp cayenne powder

1/4 tsp black pepper

2 cans chicken broth

1 can mild Ro-Tel

2 cups sliced frozen okra
cooked rice
Place all ingredients in stock pot and let simmer for a couple of hours  or until onions are done. Remove bay leaves. Serve over cooked rice.

I will be posting this to Gold Star Wednesday's, This Week's Cravings, Foodie Friday

Sweet Potato Balls

My Mom starting making this recipe at least 25 years ago. It has been a family favorite for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is easy to prepare, can be made a day or two ahead, doesn't take long to bake and it taste great with turkey or ham or as a stand alone dessert.

Ingredients:
1 large can sweet potatoes
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 stick softened margarine
1 bag marshmallows
1 sleeve graham crackers, made into crumbs

Drain and smash you potatoes. Add all ingredients except for the marshmallows and graham crackers.

Mix Well.

This part has to been done with your hands. Form the sweet potato mixture around a marshmallow, covering completely. How much you use is a personal preference, you can use a thin or thick layer.


Roll in graham crackers. Place into a greased pyrex pan. I usually make 12 but, if you use less sweet potatoes you will get more balls.


Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes.  I like to heat them until the marshmallow is slightly melted but again this is a personal preference.  If served as a dessert, lightly sift powdered sugar over the balls.



I will be posting this to:
Gold Star Wednesday
Foodie Friday
This week's Cravings
 Mommy's Kitchen