Tuesday Pot-Luck

Let start off by saying, Yes I missed posting anything on Sunday, for that I am sorry.

I thought for this post i would post a few things having to do with camp - outs, camping, hiking, summer stuff since we are moving close to warmer weather here in Michigan, although right at the moment it is chilly, willy...

How about some Backpacking Simple Food Ideas

Here are some very simple ideas for dehydrated and light-weight
foods.

1) Any packaged dinner mix from the grocery and packed in ziploc
baggies, Macaroni & Cheese, Rice-a-Roni, Broccoli and Cheese, etc
There are tons of these things available today. If they call for milk,
then the boys can carry powdered milk in baggies. Margarine will
travel well, and since they will be working hard, the extra fat might be
desirable.

2) Instant oatmeal and instant grits and bagels are great for breakfast.
Again, powdered milk can be used with these. Get some of the new
Fantastic Foods hot cereal mixes--they are warm and filling.

3) Dehydrated vegetables and full meals can be found in camping
stores. Add dried peas to a box of mac & cheese, for instance

4) Try Ramen noodle soups, or any of those "soup in a cup"s (that can
be packaged in baggies so they take up less room).

5) Dehydrated bean flakes that mix up almost instantly with water are
available in HFS. Mix these with some cooked minute rice and put in a
tortilla. Yum! Flavor them with onion, garlic, cumin powders.

6) Cheese backpacks well. Again, the fat may not be so bad if they are
hiking all day. And if it's cold, then the fat is almost necessary to
help them stay warm. (You need a lot more calories when it's cold.)
Add a hunk to any soup, pasta, rice, or dehydrated veggies you're
cooking.

7) Pasta, pasta, pasta. Top it with sauces made from the dry package
mixes. A lot of these are tasty. High in sodium and preservatives
sometimes, but for a couple of meals they won't hurt you.

8) Instant mashed potatoes that can be mixed with the powdered milk
or water only. Make up an instant gravy to go top.

9) Dried fruit can be cooked in some water and put on top of a piece of
angel food cake for dessert. (Hey, the cake might get crushed a little,
but it is lightweight!) Add some cinnamon and Tang (in lieu of orange
juice)and you approximate a Cooking Light recipe.

10) The dry veggie burger mixes would make a great meal. Most of
them make up with water only and many are quite tasty.


Or how about something the Kids can make with a little parent supervision of course:

Box Oven

1 Brick (or flat rock)
1 pk Aluminum foil,heavy-duty
1 Corrugated cardboard box
1 Metal pie pan,old
3 Coat hangers
4 Charcoal briquet's,lit

1. Cover the inside and outside of the box completely with 3 or 4
layers of aluminum foil, including the flaps. Lay box on level ground so
that the opening opens oven-style (front-door style is OK, too).
2. Straighten the coat hangers, then run them through the sides of
the box about 2/3 of the way up from the bottom to form a rack.
3. Set brick in bottom. Place live coals into pie pan/pie plate. Put
pan on brick (don't forget, the PIE PAN IS HOT! Use an oven mitt or
hot pad).
4. Place food to be cooked onto coat-hanger rack and close oven door.
Watch carefully, checking often. Each live coal makes about 80
degrees Fahrenheit.

Maybe Mom/Dad can make up some: Camp Au Gratin Potatoes

1 can Corned Beef Or 2 Cans Tuna
-Or Similar Meat or no meat if you want.
2 Boxes Au Gratin Potatoes
6 c Water
1/2 c Dry Milk Powder
1/4 c Margarine Or Oil
1 med Pot For Heating Water
1 lg Pot For Potatoes
1 Stirring Spoon

Put the corned beef or tuna on the bottom of the pan. Open the
potato packages and layer the potatoes on top of the meat. Sprinkle
the cheese powder over the potatoes. Put the oil or margarine on the
potatoes. Heat the water to near boiling and add the dry milk.

Pour the hot liquid over the dry potatoes and put the pot on a moderate fire to
simmer gently for 40 minutes. This arrangement should result in a
slightly liquid mixture. Turn the pot from time to time if it is being
kept at the edge of the fire to assure it heat all the way around.

The oil or margarine is to keep the liquid from foaming. A smaller quantity
or none can be used, but more care to keep the liquid from boiling
over must be made. Good served with something that will sop up
the extra juices.

Or Campers Pizza Pie

8 oz pizza or spaghetti sauce
1 lb Wheat bread
1/4 lb Mozzarella cheese
Pepperoni or mushrooms, or anything you'd like to add

Using the pie iron, take two slices of bread, put 1 1/2 tablespoons
pizza sauce on one slice of bread. Top with Mozzarella cheese and
sliced pepperoni. Place other side of bread on top and butter outer
sides of bread. Put sandwich into pie iron and place in coals of fire.
Cook until bread is toasted.

I bet you have never heard of this be done: RICE--- cooked in a sleeping bag.

Take instant rice in 2 heavy duty zip
lock bags.
Add slightly less than normal amount of boiling water, (it
must be at a full boil), add some raisins, nuts or some cinnamon and sugar,
or whatever other flavoring you desire.
Zip it up tight and place in a sleeping
bag. The rice will cook in about 20 minutes.
Once the rice is done, you can
add cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins and nuts to make it a
dessert or snack; or you can use it as a side dish by adding butter, soy sauce
or canned gravy.

Here's something for all hikers, cyclists, etc. Honey Granola Bars

1 1/4 c Quick-cooking oats
2 T Honey
1/4 c Whole wheat flour
1/3 c Raisins
1/4 c wheat germ,Toasted
Or dried apricots,Chopped
1/4 c Honey -- Plus

Combine the oats, flour, wheat germ, and cinnamon, and stir to mix
well. Add the honey, and stir until the mixture is moist and crumbly.
Fold in the raisins or apricots.

Coat an 8" square pan with nonstick cooking spray. pat the mixture
into the pan, and bake at 300 for 18-20 minutes, or until lightly
browned. Cool to room temperature, cut into bars, and serve.

Well I think that will keep all of you busy for awhile, LOL

Have a great day, and if you can get a hug from someone and hug them too...

Be seeing you, Knobby

Recipe Sunday...

First one on the list is 'Beer Jelly'

Ingredients:

one 12 ounce can of beer
8 ounces ginger ale
4 tablespoons sugar
1 pack Knox (tm) gelatin
2 1/2 ounces water
4 slices of lemon

How to make:

1. Combine the gelatin in the water.
2. Bring the beer, ginger ale, sugar and lemon to a boil.
3. Dissolve the gelatin mixture in the beer.
4. Pour 2/3rds of the mixture into four glasses. Make sure a piece of lemon goes in each glass.
5. Beat or whip the other 1/3rd of the mixture, and pour slowly into the glasses.
6. Set them in the refrigerator to gel.

For your adventurous people out there you can also - substitute red or white wine for the beer and change the ginger ale to 7Up (tm) or Sprite (tm).

Thanks to Keiko Kashiwabuchi, and Nick Miller for the recipe.

How about a quick & easy AMISH APPLE CRISP

Take 6 apples
Peel and slice, put in a 9x13 inch pan. Mix together: 3/4 c. sugar 1 tsp.
Baking powder 3/4 tsp. salt 1 egg Pour over apples. On top of this pour 1/3
cup cream and sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes
or until apples are done.

For main course try this AMISH COUNTRY CASSEROLE

1 lb. beef chunks or ground beef
1 chopped onion
1 can tomato soup
1 lb. egg noodles
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 tbsp. olive oil

Saute chopped onion in olive oil. Add beef. Cook well. Add can of tomato
soup undiluted. Cook egg noodles according to directions on package.
Drain well. Add can of cream of mushroom soup, undiluted. Grease
casserole dish. Place 1/2 of beef mixture in bottom of casserole. Add 1/2 of
noodle mixture. Put rest of beef on noodles. Add remaining noodles. If
desired, sprinkle paprika lightly over top of noodles. Bake in 375 degree
oven for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly.

For some you vegetarians out there try these recipes:

This one came from Barbi - Baked Spinach

1/2 cup butter
8 oz cream cheese
2 pkg frozen spinach
1 pkg Lipton onion soup mix

Directions:
Melt butter in a large frying pan. Add 2 packages of spinach. Break up
and stir. Add cream cheese and onion soup mix. Stir well. Place in a
casserole and bake at 300°F for 45 minutes.


Then I have this one called - "Beaf" Stew

Remarkably similar in taste to real beef stew, but made with kidney beans
for that no-cholesterol, no-fat goodness.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup dried beans (or one can pre-cooked beans)
2 or 3 cups water
Several cloves garlic, chopped coarsely
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 large potato, diced (do not pre-cook)
1 carrot, chopped coarsely
1 portabello mushroom, sliced in 1-inch pieces
1 or two teaspoons each: salt, pepper, and chili powder
extra flour or cornstarch (optional)
tamari (soy sauce), nutritional yeast flakes (optional)

Method:

Soak the beans overnight. Rinse and cook for half an hour.
Add 2 or 3 cups water and bring back to a boil. Add the vegetables and
bring back to a boil. Simmer, covered, until the potato and beans are thoroughly cooked.

To thicken: In a closed tupperware container, shake up two or three tablespoons
of flour with a half cup of water. Add to the stew and bring to a boil. Boil for
five minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking. Add a small amount of
tamari (soy sauce) to darken the stew's color, and a few teaspoons of nutritional
yeast flakes for flavor, if desired.

Notes:
This stew takes about an hour to prepare -- less if made with pre-cooked, canned beans.
The longer it simmers, the better its flavor.
This stew refrigerates and freezes well. It should be brought to a boil in a saucepan
when re-heating.
As shown, recipe makes roughly six servings (with all those ingredients, it's hard to
make only a small amount). Tasty with crackers, rolls, or cheese.


This one will work for all occasions - Creamy Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole

1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
1 bunch broccoli, cut into florets
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 can cream of celery soup

Directions:

1. Steam broccoli and cauliflower over boiling water for ten minutes, or
until just tender. Drain thoroughly, if required, and place in a baking
dish.
2. Combine mayonnaise, cheese and soup and spoon over vegetables.
3. Bake uncovered at 350 F for 45 minutes or until nicely browned on
top.
Serves 6


Have a Happy Sunday & I'll be seeing you, Knobby

Fridays at Pinnebog General Store

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Pinnebog General Store

I changed the title from last week because I going a little different route as to making the post more real conversation like, instead of just posting tips and whatever. let me know what way you like... Thanks.

Dianne was telling Gladys how to save brown bananas, seems like when your bananas go brown, put them skin and all in the freezer. When ready to cook: defrost, pop out of skin and mash.

Joe says he keeps a empty tissue box in the garage that he put things to tie up garden things (tomatoes, roses, etc..), bits of string, twine, yard, whatever, also keep scissors in/by the box so you can cut the length you need.

Got a skin rash or eczema, Uncle Al says best treatment is chickweed. Make it into a 'tea' and use it as a wash...

Then we have Jeb, who came up with this one: He uses Elmer's wood glue for removing small hard to see wood slivers. Put the glue on, let it dry and pull off. The sliver comes out stuck to the glue.

'Course he also uses Elmers kids/white glue to heal burns too. Says he first runs the burn under cold water for 5 minutes than goops the glue on it and than a few minutes later puts ice in a zip lock bag and puts that on it. Who would have thought... He swears he never gets a blister. LOL

Some how or 'other conversation got starting about 'what would you use when there's no more Toilet Paper left in the world?' You know how some of them doom & gloom people are, or maybe I should check the store bathroom...

Anyhow, the suggestions were flying out left & right - a couple people said to use cloth wipes made out of t-shirts, course then Pete jump in and said he been using a smooth flat blade with a slight curve type stick like they do in Japan for years. That explains alot now about Pete. Than came the usual answers like dollar bills, pine cones, corn cobs, telephone books, leaves, moss, rocks, snow, etc.

Jeb was still in the store and he shouted out "I'll just drag my backside across the grass like a dog" I barked back 'not on my grass you won't'

Miss Susie said she would use her Water pic. After that the conversation just kinda moved to an end, as Miss Susie has been known to kiss a few of the fellas from time to time...

Linda stopped by and dropped off some of her 'beer jelly' which I will post the how to's to making it on Sunday...

New fella was looking for toothpaste, says it works real well polishing up his dull plastic lenses in his glasses... Seemed like they were awful shiny glasses he was wearing. He grapped some dental floss too, told me works great as a suture material for emergency surgery on farm citters.

Dave came in and bought some turpentine, told Jeb it was very good to use as a "cutting oil" when drilling steel. Course that got Jeb started on how he uses WD40 from time to time for shoulder and elbow pain. Just spray it on and rub it in and it helps the pain a lot, says Jeb...

Finally Deb the electrician came up with this suggestion: if you have nuts and bolts seized by rust and do not have WD-40 or lock-ezz at hand, pour Coca-Cola on the bolts and nuts, let sit a few minutes, repeat, then tap on wrench handle with a hammer to free the nut... I have always use Coca-Cola for cleaning my car battery post off also..

Well I guess that's about it for today, you take care.

Be seeing you soon, Knobby

Copy -Cat Recipes

I will be posting on Sunday mornings recipes that I have gathered from my travels across the Earth & beyond the Galaxies...

Today I will post a few copy-cat type ones from famous places... Some of these you might have to substitute 'close-enough' ingredients for what is listed...

#1 - A&W Chili Dogs

1 Sabrett brand 2 ounce beef frankfurter (7½" long)
1 regular hot dog roll
3 Tablespoons A&W Coney Island Sauce (see recipe below)
1 Tablespoon chopped white onion
1/2 Tablespoon Kraft shredded mild cheddar cheese (optional)
A&W Coney Island Chili Dog Sauce
1 pound ground chuck
1 six ounce can Hunts tomato paste
1 Cup water
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 Tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
1 Tablespoon dried, minced onion
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (heaping)
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Making the Chili Dog Sauce:

1. In a 2 qt. saucepan, brown the ground chuck, breaking into very small
pieces. Salt and pepper lightly while cooking. Do not drain the fat.
2. Add the remaining ingredients. Simmer, uncovered, 30−45 minutes until it
thickens. Stir occasionally.
3. Allow to cool, cover, and refrigerate until "Dog−Time". You'll be
microwaving what you need later.

Cooking your A&W Chili Dog

1. Bring a 2 qt. saucepan of water to a rolling boil.
2. Remove the saucepan from the heat, and add the desired number of
frankfurters to the water. Cover and let sit about 10 minutes.
3. After the franks are done, microwave the chili dog sauce until steaming.
(Only microwave what you need, save the rest) Then microwave each hot dog
roll 10 seconds....just enough to warm.
4. Remove the cooked franks with tongs, and place on the microwaved hot dog
roll.
5. Add about 3 Tablespoons of your prepared A&W chili dog sauce, and the
chopped onion. Grated cheddar cheese is optional.


#2 - Benihana's Fried Rice

1 cup uncooked rice
5 tablespoons butter
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped carrots
2/3 cup chopped scallions
3 tablespoons Sesame seeds
5 Eggs
5 tablespoons soy sauce
Salt
Pepper

Cook rice according to package directions. In a large skillet melt butter.
Add onions, carrots and scallions. Saute until carrots are translucent.
Set aside. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place sesame seeds in a shallow pan.
Bake until golden brown (10 to 15 minutes), shaking pan occasionally for
even color. Lightly grease another skillet. Beat eggs. Pour into hot
skillet. Cook as you would scrambled eggs. Combine rice, vegetables,
sesame seeds and eggs. Add soy sauce. Stir. Salt and pepper to taste.


#3 - Cinnabon Rolls

ROLLS:
Makes about 20 very large rolls.

1/2 cup warm water
2 packages dry yeast
2 tablespoons sugar
3 1/2 oz. pkg. vanilla pudding mix
1/2 cup margarine −− melted
2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
6 cups flour

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups confectioner's sugar
1 tablespoon milk
To make frosting, mix all ingredients until smooth.

In a bowl combine water, yeast and sugar. Stir until dissolved. Set aside.
In large bowl, take pudding mix and prepare according to package directions.
Add margarine, eggs and salt. Mix well. Then add yeast mixture. Blend.
Gradually add flour; knead until smooth. Place in a greased bowl. Cover and let
rise until doubled. Punch down dough and let rise again.

Roll dough out on floured board to 34 x 21" size. Take 1 cup soft butter and
spread over surface. In bowl, mix 2 cups brown sugar and 4 teas. cinnamon. Sprinkle over
top. Roll up very tightly. With a knife, put a notch every 2". Cut with thread or knife.

Place on lightly greased cookie sheet 2" apart. Take hand and lightly press down
on each roll. Cover and let rise until double again. Bake at 350 15−20 minutes. Remove when they start to turn golden. DON'T OVER BAKE. Frost warm rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting


#4 - KFC Cole Slaw

1 head of cabbage, shredded
1 or 2 carrots, grated
1/4 onion, grated

Dressing:
1 cup Miracle Whip Salad Dressing
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup oil
1/4 vinegar

Mix together the dressing and pour over cabbage mix. Let it sit
for a few hours before eating.


#5 - O'Charley's Baked Potato Soup

3 lbs. red potatoes
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup flour
2 quarts half−and−half
1 pound block Velveeta cheese, melted
White pepper, to taste
Garlic powder, to taste
1 tsp. hot pepper sauce
1/2 lb. bacon, fried crisply
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup fresh chives, chopped
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Dice unpeeled red potatoes into 1/2−inch cubes. Place in a large Dutch oven,
cover with water and bring to a boil. Let boil for 10 minutes or until
almost cooked.

In a separate large Dutch oven, combine melted margarine and
flour, mixing until smooth. Place over low heat and gradually add
half−and−half, stirring constantly. Continue to stir until smooth and liquid
begins to thicken. Add melted Velveeta. Stir well.

Drain potatoes and add to cream mixture. Stir in pepper, garlic powder and hot pepper sauce. Cover and cook over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Place soup into
individual serving bowls and top with crumbled bacon, shredded cheese,
chives and parsley.


#6 - Popeye's Red Beans and Rice

2 cups Uncle Ben's long grain rice (cooked)
1 − 16 oz. can Red chili beans in chili gravy
1 teas. Chili powder
1/4 teas. Cumin
Dash garlic salt

In saucepan, heat beans without letting them boil.
Stir in chili powder, cumin and garlic salt. When
piping hot, add warm rice and gently mix.


My Favorite! #7 - White Castle Hamburgers

Get a pound of 85% lean ground beef, and divide into 16 equal sized pieces.
Form each into a 2−1/2 inch square patties. Do this on waxed paper. Make
the patties very thin. Then "cookie−cut" five holes in each pattie.
(the pattern should resemble 5 on a dice) A CLEAN pen cap works nicely.
Freeze these 16 patties. (It'll make it easier later)

BUNS: the buns are also small. My grocer has dinner rolls the exact size
I need, but you might have to create your own using hot dog buns. One
hot−dog bun makes two White Castle buns. Simply cut in half (through top
and bottom) and then cut off the rounded sides to make them square.

COOKING: This is key. You need to finely chop a medium white onion.
On a pre−heated 375 degree electric griddle, lay about 1−1/2 Tablespoons
of onion for each patty you want to cook (generously spray with non−stick
spray like Pam first) The onions should only be "one deep" if you will.
Immediately place frozen patty directly on top of onions and press down.

Cook for about 4 minutes right on top of the onions. The holes in the beef
will allow the steam to cook the top side. (You don't flip)
Add a dash of salt and a pinch of pepper to each patty while they cook.
Remove and place on UNTOASTED buns.

Truck dashboard as hot house

As mentioned in one of tips in the post The Pinnebog General Store Community Board about using your truck/car windshield, dash as a greenhouse/dehydrator, well there's a picture of me doing it this morning. Temp is about mid 40's outside here in Michigan and was registering about 75 on the dash with the sun shining...

The Pinnebog General Store Community Board

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Pinnebog General Store

I am going to try my best to make a weekly Friday thingy. I will list all sorts of tips, ideas, web sites, etc that I hear about from around the General Store via Internet and/or neighbor talk during the week on a variety of subjects that I find helpful & interesting. Hope you do also... Feel free to add your own in the comment section...
Save your cardboard rolls from toilet paper & paper towels. Cut them open and use them as cutworm collars when you put your transplants in the garden.

The best time to transplant seedlings is just before it rains, or in a light rain

Stuck without a D battery? The MacGyver fix: Put a C battery in the slot and add three to five quarters to mimic the size of a D. WARNING: NOT INTENDED FOR LONG TERM USE!

If you need to shred cheese for a recipe, use the finer hole side on the grater. You will use less cheese than you need with the same results

To save time, cook up lots of ground beef, flatten it with a potato masher and freeze in pint bags for quick dinners like spaghetti, stroganoff, sloppy joes, etc.

How about this one. Some people have used the dashboard of their car as a food dehydrator. They took some apples, sliced them, dipped them in diluted lemon juice and put them on baking racks and spread them across the dash. With plenty of full sun, they were dry in a little over a day. - Have also heard that sun tea can be done that way also and it speeds up the process, so I'm going to try that and see come a nice sunny day here in Michigan..

Use about 1/4 cup of milk, added to a gallon jug of warm water and pour this over your roses. Milk is a natural anti-fungal--use it on your roses and on squash plants if they get fungus after a lot of rain...

How to Make a Raised Bed Garden out of used Kiddie Pools. If you don't like the look, you can surround it with pretty pots and big rocks.

Remember you can use color markers to "fix" fabric stains enough that you can't tell

Add up to one cup of White Vinegar in your laundry to help freshen & brighten your clothes. I do this and it does work, after a few washes you do start to notice a difference. Also works great when washing dirty, smelly sneakers...

Save the wax paper liners from cereal bags to use when baking. I lay it down to catch flour and other ingredients while cooking. And it's great for making pie crusts and kneading dough. Throw away when done. Free

Below is a little teaser from this coming Sunday Morning post...

Copy-cat recipe: Bob Evans Homestyle Meatloaf

1/2 cup ketchup

2 tsp. brown sugar

1 tsp. dry mustard (you can use regular mustard if you want)

1 lb. Bob Evans Farm Original Recipe Roll Sausage ( or any other cheaper brand sausage would be fine also)

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 cup uncooked quick oats

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 egg beaten

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

Preheat oven to 350. Combine ketchup, brown sugar and mustard in a small bowl, set aside. Combine 1/3 ketchup mixture and remaining ingredients in a large bowl; mix well. Shape mixture into loaf in large shallow baking dish. Bake 1 hour, remove from oven, pour remaining ketchup mixture over top. Bake for 10 min more. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.