Dad's Spaghetti Sauce

This is Dad's (Craigo's) Spaghetti Sauce recipe created when we had a garden and harvested an abundance of tomatoes. We do not like added sugar, so this recipe does not have any sugar.

3-4 medium Onions, chopped and microwaved until tender
12 C Tomatoes, cooked, seeded and peeled
36 oz. Tomato Paste
2 TBSP  Parsley
2 TBSP Salt (Lawry's)
1 1/2 TBSP  Oregano
1 TBSP Pepper
1 tsp. Ginger
1 tsp. allspice
Garlic - lots! (1 bulb) minced

Combine and cook all ingredients together until bubbling. Pour into  clean jars, (continually stirring mixture to keep onions from settling on the bottom), wipe rims with paper towel and lightly tighten the rings. Place jars into  canner; when steam flows out of vent, put on 5# and cook until jiggles. Continue cooking for 5 minutes, then allow to cool completely before removing the canner lid.

Rhubarb Bread

It's Rhubarb time! This sweet bread is a family favorite. I was surprised it wasn't already on the blog.

Mix:
1 1/2 C Brown Sugar
2/3 C Oil

Add:
1 Egg
1 tsp Vanilla
1 C Sour Milk (1 Tbsp vinegar + enough milk to equal 1 C, let stand 5 minutes)
2 1/2 C Flour
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 1/2 C Rhubarb, diced

Pour into 2 greased loaf pans

Top with:
1/2 C Sugar
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1 Tbsp Butter

Bake 40 minutes at 325 F.

Mushroom Tarts

This recipe is from Mom O'Brien. It was a holiday favorite for the O'Briens. We always looked forward to snacking on Grandma Julie's Mushroom Tarts on Christmas day. Here it is, in her handwriting...

Dump Cake

Easiest recipe for a rich dessert! This recipe was given to me by my co-worker when I was a summer student at Palisade's Nuclear Plant in 1983. I think her name was Karen...

Dump into ungreased 9 x 13 pan:
1 can crushed pineapple
1 can cherry pie filling (or any flavor fruit filling)
1 yellow cake mix
1 cup chopped nuts

Cut 2 sticks of butter into pats and put on top.

Bake 1 hour at 350F.

Apple Cake with a Paleo Option

This is a favorite Apple Cake recipe for fall when apples are everywhere! It serves as a dessert and even a coffee cake. It is very moist and delicious!!

Mix:
1 1/2 C Sugar
1 C Vegetable Oil
3 eggs
1/2 tsp Salt

Mix together then slowly add to liquid mixture:
2 C Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 tsp Vanilla

Add:
5 medium Apples, peeled and sliced thinly
1/2 C Walnuts, chopped

Pour into greased 9 x 13 pan. Sprinkle with 1/2 C walnuts, chopped.
Bake at 350 F for 45 minutes.

PALEO Version 

(2nd try worked perfectly!)

Mix:
1 1/2 C Sucanat
1 C Coconut Oil
6 eggs
1/2 tsp Salt

Mix together then slowly add to liquid mixture:
1 C Almond Flour
2/3 Cup Coconut Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 tsp Vanilla

Add:
5 medium Apples, peeled and sliced thinly
1/2 C Walnuts, chopped

Pour into greased 9 x 13 pan. Sprinkle with 1/2 C walnuts, chopped.
Bake at 350 F for 45 minutes.

Pecan Tassies

One of the family's favorite Christmas Cookie recipes:

CREAM CHEESE SHELLS
1 (3 oz.) pkg Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 Cup Butter, softened
1 Cup Flour

Combine cream cheese and butter, cream until smooth. Add flour, mixing well. Refrigerate dough at least 2 hours. Shape dough into balls; put each ball into greased muffin tin and shape into shell.

FILLING
3/4 Cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 TBSP Butter
1 Egg
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
Pinch of Salt
1 Cup Pecans, chopped

Combine ingredients in a small saucepan, cook over low heat stirring frequently until mixture is melted and well blended. Fill each shell half full with filling. (Use mini muffin pans)

Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

Venison Jerky

This is the recipe for ground venison jerky. It is best to use a rough (single grind) venison. The double ground venison used for burgers, etc, does not give the jerky the tougher texture that is preferred by most for jerky.

2 # ground venison - add some fat (Craig uses the ratio of 21# venison with 1-1.5 # beef suet)
3 Tbsp. Liquid Smoke
1 3/4 Tbsp. Morton's Tender Quick
1 Tbsp Sugar
1 tsp. coarse black pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp.onion powder
1/2 tsp. mustard powder
1/4 tsp. celery salt
1/2 tsp ground oregano
1 tsp. red pepper

Mix all dry ingredients except Tender Quick in a small bowl.

In large bowl, combine venison and liquid Smoke; add dry ingredients. Mix, add Tender Quick. Mix immediately and press into strips (or squeeze through Jerky gun).

Spray cookie sheet with PAM or other vegetable spray/use dehydrator racks.

Dry in oven or dehydrator at 165F for 8-12 hours or desired dryness.

Meat Strip Jerky

A.k.a. "Leather Jerky" -
I'm not sure where this recipe came from originally, or how much Dad modified it to his taste, but this is the recipe we've used for as long as I can remember.

3 # Venison (1/4" maximum thickness)
2/3 C  Worcestershire Sauce
2/3 C Soy Sauce
1 Tbsp. Lawry's
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
3 Tbsp. Liquid Smoke
1 tsp. Tabasco
1 Tbsp. red pepper

Mix all ingredients and marinate overnight 14 hours minimum.

Place in oven @170F and dry to taste, usually at least 12-16 hours.

Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries

From "Country Living", this recipe is one of our favorites! It's a bit on the spicy side, so cut the red pepper in 1/2 if you need to.

1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 large (about 1 1/2 pounds) sweet potatoes

Prepare sweet potatoes - peel, cut each in half, lengthwise, then cut each half into 6 wedges.
Ina large bowl, combine the cut potatoes, oil and spices. Toss until potatoes are evenly coated.
Bake in a single layer on baking sheet, placed on the middle rack of a 400F oven until edges are crisp and potatoes are cooked through - about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

Corn Bread

This is the moistest, melt-in-your-mouth corn bread recipe I've ever tasted. Alinda P. (adapted from Dee R.) made it for one of our "Home Group" get-togethers, and graciously passed it on. It makes a large pan, so is perfect for large gatherings, or pot luck dinners.

3 boxes Jiffy Corn Bread Mix
3 eggs
1 C sour cream
1 can cream style corn
1 can regular corn (no need to drain)
1 stick butter (softened)

Blend all with mixer and bake in greased 9x13 pan. Bake 30-40 minutes at 350F.

(cut into 15 servings, each piece = 5 WW Points Plus)

Wine Cookies

A favorite Christmas Cookie made by Nonna. They are very pretty, too. Use a variety of jelly - raspberry, strawberry, grape, and peach.

Cream:
1 lb. butter
3/4 C sugar

Add and mix thoroughly:
2 eggs

Add slowly:
5 C flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 C wine

Refrigerate, roll out about 1/4" and cut into flowers, diamonds, circles, spades...etc. Match bottom of cookie with same shaped mate with a hole in the center for the jelly to show through.

Bake at 350 F for 15-20 minutes. until barely brown on the edges, Cover bottoms with jelly, gently place tops with holes on the jelly. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies

These are Craig's favorite cookie that we make at Christmas. They are like Cherry Cordials...

Cream:
1 C butter
2 C sugar
2 eggs
3 tsp. vanilla

Add slowly:
3 C Flour
1 C unsweetened cocoa
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda

Drain:
2 - 10 oz. jars of Maraschino cherries, reserving juice

Shape very stiff dough into 1" balls. Use thumb to make space for cherry. Place cherry in center of each cookie.

SAUCE

Combine over low heat until melted:
6 oz. chocolate chips
1/2 C sweetened condensed mild
4 tsp. reserved cherry juice

Slowly swirl chocolate over cherry, just enough to cover the cherry.

Bake on un-greased cookie sheet at 350 F for 10 minutes.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

This is a favorite for the holidays. It is more like a dessert than a salad.

Mix and press into 9x13 baking dish:
2 Cups pretzels (coarsely crushed)
3/4 Cup butter (softened)
1 Tbsp sugar
Bake 8 min. @ 400F; cool.

Cream together:
1-8oz Cream Cheese (softened)
1 Cup sugar
Fold in 1/2 large carton Cool Whip and spread over crust.

Dissolve 1- 6oz box of Jell-O into 2 cups boiling water.
Add 2-10oz pkg. frozen strawberries
Refrigerate until thickened and pour over cream cheese layer.

Refrigerate salad until firm and serve!

Apple Cake

This is super moist and can be eaten for breakfast as coffee cake. So easy!

Mix:
1 1/2 Cups sugar
1 Cup salad oil
3 eggs
1/2 tsp salt

Stir in:
2 Cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla


Add:
5 medium apples (or more), peeled, cored and sliced
1/2 Cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

Pour into greased 9x13 pan.
Sprinkle 1/2 Cup chopped nuts over top. (optional)
Bake at 350F for 45 minutes or until center is done.

Beef and Green Peppers

This is a favorite from Nonna and I thought of it when we were given a bag of green peppers I wanted to use fresh instead of chopping and freezing them. I'm so glad I did!

Brown:
1 # round steak (I used venison chops)
2 Tbsp oil
1 clove garlic, crushed
salt and pepper to taste

Stir in:
2 Cups Beef Bouillon
Sliced onion
Sliced green peppers

Mix together:
2 Tbsp cornstarch
1/4 Cup water
1/4 Cup Red Wine
2 Tbsp Soy Sauce

Slowly stir into meat mixture until thickened.

Serve over rice.

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cake

This is a very heavy, rich chocolate cake from Aunt Anne O'Brien which she brought to an O'Brien reunion many years ago. It is great for large gatherings because it is so heavy and rich. A small piece will curb the chocolate craving.

Cream:
1 Stick Butter
1/2 C Oil
1 3/4 C Sugar

Add:
2 Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla
1/2 C Sour Milk (1 TBSP vinegar + enough milk to make 1/2 cup)

Mix in:
2 1/2 C Flour
1/2 tsp Cloves
1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
4 TBSP Cocoa
2 C Zucchini, shredded
Walnuts, chopped (optional)

Pour into 9x13 pan sprayed with PAM.

Sprinkle Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips on top.

Bake @325F for 40 minutes.

Bran Muffins

Our favorite breakfast out on the water, these muffins are as hearty as you want to make them. I love that they make a lot and freeze so well. This recipe is from our good friend, Joan Davidson, who has provided many favorite recipes for our hunting and fishing trips. Thanks, Joan!

5 cups flour
3 cups sugar
5 tsp. baking soda
1 box Bran Flakes or Raisin Bran


1 cup oil
4 eggs, beaten
1 qt. buttermilk

Mix dry ingredients.
Add liquids. Mix well.
* I stir in a box of raisins and about 1cup of walnuts. 
Spoon into paper lined muffin tins.
Bake 375F for 18-20 minutes.

Baked Omelet

This is a great alternative to the Egg Casserole made with bread and easier than making individual omelets for everyone - from my friend, Lorene Ashford.

Grease 9x13" pan (serves 8-12)

Mix together:
1 1/2 dozen eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 cup milk
1 tsp. salt
1/4 cup chopped onion (optional) *
1/4 cup butter, melted and added last

Pour into pan and bake at 325F until firm and light brown (approximately 40 minutes).
* add cheese, ham, green peppers, mushrooms etc.
* Recipe works well halved and baked in 8x8" pan.  (serves 4-6)

Blueberry Sauce

• We grew up picking wild huckleberries starting in mid-July around our cottages both at Higgins Lake and Bear Lake in northern Michigan. The objective was usually to harvest enough for a fresh huckleberry (or wild blueberry - they look very similar) pie. As an added bonus we enjoyed blueberry pancakes smothered in fresh hot blueberry sauce. Now, we head to Blueberry Lane in Otter Lake and freeze them for winter enjoyment. 
• 
  
• Blueberry pancakes with blueberry sauce was our Christmas day breakfast, this year.
•  
• Mix:
• 2 Tablespoons cornstarch 
• 1 cup white sugar 
• 
  
• Slowly stir in:
• 1 cup orange juice 

Add:

• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• 
  
• Stir until thick, then add:
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

Chinese Cabbage Salad

Nonna made this one Christmas, and it was an immediate favorite. It is great for pot-lucks; I always get requests for the recipe.

1 Head Cabbage, shredded

8 Tbsp.  Sesame Seed

2 Pkg. Ramen Noodles, crushed (I just pound the pkg with a wooden spoon before I open it! Save the seasoning packs for use in another recipe; I use them to flavor rice.) 

8 tsp. Sliced Almonds

8 tsp. Sliced Green Onions

Brown almonds and sesame seeds in a small amount of butter. Mix cabbage and onions in a large bowl. Just before serving, add sesame seeds, almonds, noodles, and toss with dressing.

Dressing:  Mix all ingredients in a jar and shake.

2 Tbsp. Sugar

½ Cup Oil

3/4 tsp. Salt

½ tsp. Pepper

1 tsp. Accent

3 Tbsp. Rice Vinegar