Marinated Mushrooms

This is a great way to prepare fresh mushrooms for a relish tray. Use the small button mushrooms from the produce department at Food City. You wouldn't think that fresh mushrooms would have much flavor, but they do. If you never have tried them this way, it will be a treat for you, plus another recipe to add to your holiday collection.

Giblets and Rice Dressing

Cook rice according to directions. Drain and set aside. Cook the giblets in water for a minute or so. Drain, reserving water. Chop giblets and return to water. Simmer until tender. Saute onions in butter until yellow, but not browned. In large bowl combine onions, giblets and toasted bread. Stir until well combined.

Beans and Rice Salad

You need several hearty salads in your recipe collection to take the place of potatoes in your menu. They are usually cold salads, so can be made ahead of the planned meal. In a large mixing bowl, combine everything but the dressing. Pour dressing over mixture and toss to coat. Cover and chill until serving time or up to 24 hours. Makes 16 servings. Note: The pimiento and cheese adds color.

FILL 'ER UP!

We all have memories of unusual things. Well, I remember when you could buy gas cheap, really cheap . That was back in 1940, a long time ago. Don’t believe me? I have the picture to prove it. Mother took a picture of goats pulling some sort of contraption. The gas station sign happened to be in the picture, too. There it is – anti-knock for fourteen cents per gallon and ethyl for fifteen cents per gallon. For a penny more, you got their better grade. Do you remember when the engine would knock if you used too low a grade of gasoline? I do.

Dad's Electric Fence

I have subscribed to the magazine Farm Show off and on for many years. It is full of inventive ideas farmers do to solve their everyday problems. It shows how creative farmers can be. Of course, you learn to “make do” with homemade things when money is tight. For a farmer, that is almost always. He probably had to borrow from the bank for seed in the spring, hoping to pay it back when he harvested in the fall. A farmer is always looking for ways to save money. Isn’t that the definition of invention, looking for a cheaper or easier ways to do something?

Stringing Wire

Anne was tidying up our barn the other day. She brought a strange looking contraption in for me to identify. It was a line level, of course.
You must be of a certain age and farm bred to recognize it. I answer “yes” to both conditions.

Ranch Style Deviled Eggs

Make this a day ahead. You will have enough to do the day of the party. Place eggs in large saucepan with enough water to cover by 2 inches. Place over high heat and bring to a boil. Cover. Remove from heat and let stand until cool. Drain cooking water and cover eggs with cold water. Peel eggs and halve lengthwise. Transfer cooked egg yolks to mixing bowl. Set eggs whites aside on large platter ...

Spice Spritz

Have you ever tasted a Spice Spritz cookie? Try this one, it has an autumn flavor. In large bowl with mixer at low speed, beat butter and sugar until blended. Increase speed to high and beat until light and creamy, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula. Next, at low speed, beat in egg and vanilla until blended. Gradually beat in flour and pumpkin pie spice just until blended.

Autumn Fruit Salad

This salad tastes best when the fruits are fresh, so make it September to December. There are so many good fruit salads. Add this one to your recipe box. Wash and core apples and pears. Do not peel. Cut into 1 inch chunks. Slice banana in 1/2 inch pieces. Wash grapes and cut in half. Combine fruit in salad bowl. Mix yogurt with spices and cider. Pour over fruit and stir to coat evenly. Chill before serving.