Fruit Leather

This stuff is delicious and very easy to make. Use the fruits you like best.
I love apricot. I've made lots of this over the years. This one is for Jacki since she asked for it.

About 2 cups fruit puree
About 3 TBSP sugar or honey (It depends on the sweetness of the fruit)
Any type ripe fruit (apricots, apples, grapes, berries,
pineapple, oranges, pear, peaches, plums or tropical fruit or
combinations). Apples and Concord grapes should be cooked
until tender and made into sauce first. For fruits that tend
to darken, add 1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice per quart of
fruit. Additional sugar for other fruits are optional. You may also add a pinch
of cinnamon.
Prepare fruit as for table, removing stones, pits, seeds and
peel as desired.
Cut fruit in chunks and place in blender to puree. Line
cookie sheet or drying tray with Saran Wrap (pan must
have edges). Pour puree 1/4-inch deep onto sheet. Distribute
evenly by tilting pan. Do not use spatula or knife. When all
spaces are covered, the right amount of puree has been applied.
Set oven at lowest setting (140 degrees). Position pan in oven and
crack door 2 to 6-inches. Fruit will dry in 4 to 6 hours.
Properly dried fruit leather will be barely sticky to
the touch (test the center) and it will peel easily from Saran.
After loosening the edge and peeling Saran back an inch, roll
Saran and Fruit Leather in one piece in a loose roll (or cut
into individual pieces). It can be stored for 30 days at room
temperature, months in refrigerator or years in the freezer.

Butter Cream Icing

This is the best butter cream frosting recipe I've found. It's easy, easy to use, and tastes great! People keep asking for this one, so here it is.

Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar (approximately 1 lb.)
• 2 tablespoons milk
Makes: About 3 cups of icing.

Instructions
(Medium Consistency)
In large bowl, cream shortening and butter with electric mixer. Add vanilla. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry. Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Keep bowl covered with a damp cloth until ready to use.
For best results, keep icing bowl in refrigerator when not in use. Refrigerated in an airtight container, this icing can be stored 2 weeks. Rewhip before using.

For thin (spreading) consistency icing, add 2 tablespoons light corn syrup, water or milk.

Pickled Beets

This one is for Nola. She wanted it and here it is.
Boil beets in water until done. Drain. Discard juice or save to make beet jelly. Cool beets, peel and slice. Boil beets in syrup for 10 minutes. Put in clean bottles and seal. Syrup recipe makes about 12 quarts.

Syrup:
6 cups sugar
6 cups water
6 cups vinegar
2 tsp. salt
3 tsp. cloves
3 tsp allspice
3 tsp cinnamon

Mix together in large pan and heat.

Roasted Root Vegetables

This is one of my favorite ways to cook and eat vegetables. Very easy and tasty. You can make any amount you want to serve the number of people. In the summer when I don't want to use the oven and heat up the house, I just do these in my dutch oven over the coals or on top of the stove. Yummy!

2-4 cups Root vegetables, peeled if desired, cut into uniform 2 inch pieces
1-2 TBSP Vegetable oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Spread vegetable oil onto baking sheet. Add vegetables in a single layer and stir to coat with oil. Add salt and pepper.
Bake 30 to 50 minutes, until tender, stirring half way through.

Southwest Seasoning Mix

This is a great rub or marinade for chicken or pork. Use it instead of Taco seasoning in the Southwestern Chicken Salad. It's quite spicy. Don't put too much.


1 Tablespoon Paprika
1 Tablespoon Oregano
1 Tablespoon Garlic (fresh)
1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

Mix all together and sprinkle or rub on meat and foods as desired.
Will keep in the refrigerator for about a week.

Cilantro Lime Dressing

This dressing is wonderful. It's especially scrumptious on the Southwestern Chicken Salad. It's also good on Taco Salad.

1 pkg of Buttermilk Ranch Dressing dry mix
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup mayonnaise
1-2 tomatillos, peeled
1 clove garlic minced
1/3 bunch cilantro, chopped
1/2 tsp lime juice
1/2 small jalapeno, seeds removed

Blend ingredients together in a blender. Add additional mayonnaise if dressing is too thin. Keep refrigerated.

Southwestern Chicken Salad

This salad is wonderful and so easy. If you want it to be extra special, instead of ranch or French dressing, use the recipe for Cilantro Lime Dressing. I'm sure you and your family will love it. It's great for summer or can be used as a side dish.
You can use the Southwest Seasoning Mix instead of the Taco seasoning mix.

Makes: 4 servings

6 cups torn romaine lettuce
1 Lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite sized pieces
1 can (11 oz) corn, drained, liquid reserved
2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix (from 1-oz package)
1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (2 oz)
1/2 cup ranch or French dressing
1 cup corn chips (1 1/2 oz)
Salsa, if desired

In 10-inch nonstick skillet, place chicken and reserved liquid from corn. Sprinkle with taco seasoning mix. Cook over medium heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring constantly, until blended and chicken is done.
Mix chicken mixture and lettuce. Sprinkle with cheese and corn. Drizzle with dressing; top with corn chips. Garnish with salsa.
For a variation add a can of drained black beans.