Shirley McMurtrie

Cheesy Baked Asparagus

Preheat oven to 400 F. arrange asparagus in greased 9 by 13 inch baking dish. In small bowl combine half and half, softened cream cheese, salt and pepper until smooth.Pour over asparagus. Top with mozzarella cheese, cashews and Parmesan cheese. Bake until asparagus is tender and cheese is melted and golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove dish to wire rack to cool for 5 minutes. Makes 8 servings.

Down Home Baked Beans

Preheat oven to 350 F. Cook bacon in large skillet over medium heat until browned and crisp, about 10 minutes. Remove bacon and drain. Reserve 1 tablespoon of drippings in skillet. Cook chopped sweet onions in drippings over medium heat until softened, about 7 minutes. Stir into skillet the beans, brown sugar, ketchup and cooked bacon. Pour mixture into an 8-inch square baking pan. Bake uncovered, until heated through and bubbly, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Chicken Noodle and Corn Chowder

Canned soup to the rescue again. This makes a quick and tasty lunch. Over medium heat, saute onions in margarine until soft but not browned. Stir in chicken noodle soup, water, cream style corn, evaporated milk and pepper. Heat not quite to a boil. Sprinkle each serving with chopped chives.

Macular Degeneration and Me

I have my eyesight checked every year. My poor eyes have been through so much. I try to keep on top of their care. I have had 2 detached retinas as well as a sceral buckle on my right eye. That is a rubber band holding the eyeball in the correct shape. A visceral hemorrhage came along with one of the detached retinas on my right eye as well. There is an extra strong lens over it to help it track with the left one.

Baked fish parmesan

Cat fish drawing by Shirley McMurtrie

I often forget how many ways a fish fliet can be prepared. Check this one out. Dip filets in lemon juice, then in a mixture of remaining lemon juice and mayonnaise. Combine Parmesan cheese and crushed potato chips. Place in shallow baking dish and bake in preheated 375 F. oven or 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily. Note: For variety, use a different flavored potato chip.

Creamy grape salad

Artwork By Shirley McMurtrie

For years, the only way I used table grapes was to eat them as a snack. Once I tasted a grape salad, I started looking for grape salad recipes. Here is one I like. In a mixing bowl combine grapes and set aside. In another bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Mix in remaining ingredients, except pecans and brown sugar. Combine brown sugar and pecans. Set aside. Pour grape mixture into 9 by 13 serving dish. Sprinkle brown sugared pecans over top. Chill overnight. Serve

Salmon and More

This has almost everything in it but the kitchen sink. It shows what you can do with a small can of salmon. Prepare macaroni and cheese mix as directed on package. Add flaked salmon, mushroom soup, chopped pimiento and milk. Carefully fold in English peas. Place in 1-1/2 quart buttered casserole. Bake in preheated 350-degree oven for about 40 minutes or until bubbly.

Seared Scallops

Scallops are new to me. I am still learning how to prepare them. Here is a recipe for preparing scallops. I think it is pretty good.
Put scallops in a paper towel and pat dry with another paper towel...

Smelt Dipping

What does springtime in Tennessee lack? That’s easy. Smelt. A few years ago I found one package in Food City’s frozen foods. I have searched for them every year since, but to no avail.

Pork chop suey

We made this dish often in the 1950’s. We had just come out of WWII with all the shortages that occur during wartime. It was time to try something new, like pizza or chop suey. In Dutch oven, brown meat in hot oil. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt. Drain off excess oil. Place meat in 9 by 13 inch baking pan. Combine sprouts onion, green pepper and rice. Add to pan. Gradually add milk and soy sauce to soup, stirring until smooth.

Hawaiian chicken

Arrange chicken breast halves in crock pot. Mix together remaining ingredients and pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Remove chicken breasts. Serve. Note: you could thicken sauce with cornstarch and serve with the chicken breasts and mashed potatoes.

Baked tuna and noodles

This simple casserole serves eight easily. There are two other options to try. Cook celery and onion in butter until tender. Blend in soup and milk. Add remaining ingredients, except the buttered bread crumbs. Pour into 3 quart casserole. Sprinkle top with buttered crumbs ...

Mock Turtle Soup

The title is misleading. There isn’t even a hint of turtle in this soup, but it's good. Melt margarine in large kettle. Add onions, celery and carrots. Sauté until tender, but not browned. Add diced beef and flour, stirring to mix well. Add stock and milk, stirring as it thickens. Simmer 20 minutes. Add chopped eggs, salt and pepper just before serving.

Applesauce cupcakes

These cupcakes don't need frosting. Instead, sprinkle tops with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon when you take them from the oven. They are delicious. With electric mixer, cream butter and add sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Then stir in beaten egg and 1/4 cup applesauce.

Applesauce loaf cake

Applesauce makes a nice cake. It is always moist. This cake can stand alone without frosting, but i like frosting on amlost anything sweet. I have made this cake for years. Cream shortening and sugar with mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs and beat well. Add applesauce. Mix and sift together dry ingredients and stir with spoon. Bake in greased and floured 8 inch loaf pan at 350 F. for 30 minutes or until tested done by inserted toothpick. Cool on rack. Frost top with Lemon Butter Frosting if desired.

Oatmeal Rolls

This recipe makes a lot of rolls. Serve some and freeze the rest. Perfect amount for taking to a potluck. Pour boiling water over quick oatmeal. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in shortening and molasses. Mix 1 cup of flour with dry milk solids, salt and yeast. Stir in shortening and molasses. Add quick oatmeal mixture to flour mixture

Vegetable Beef Soup

Here is a go-to recipe for the depths of winter. I would have most of the ingredients on hand. What a wonderful aroma to greet you when you opened the door. Memories are made of this.

Chicken bake

Yes, here is another chicken recipe. chicken is so versatile. add some noodles and gravy and you have a tasty casserole. In mixing bowl, place 3 tablespoons butter and 1 cup milk. In Dutch oven, melt remaining butter. Blend in flour, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper. Add remaining milk all at once. Cook, quickly, over medium high heat until mixture thickens and is bubbly.

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