My grandfathers, uncles, and my Dad were coal miners in the western part of Virginia and southern West Virginia - hard, honest work for minimal pay. The women in our families worked equally as hard in raising children and keeping house - and making the most wonderful meals out of the simplest ingredients! I have learned from my own cooking experience that the best part of preparing something is in sharing it with others who enjoy it, too. That is the purpose behind this blog: not only to preserve our family recipes, but to share them with others who can use and enjoy them as much as we have. Thanks for stopping by! Cris

A Note: I do not condone the use or consumption of beverage alcohol in any form for any reason. Therefore, the recipes posted here on our blog do not contain wine, beer, or liquor in any form.

Friday, July 31, 2020

Sausage and Zucchini Squash Casserole






       
shared by Cris Watson










Makes a 9 x 13 casserole

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of uncooked rice (or 1 1/2 cups cooked rice - SEE NOTE BELOW)
1 lb. Pork sausage (hot, mild, or Italian)
1 tbsp canola oil
3 small or 2 medium zucchini
1 medium onion
1 can diced tomatoes with the juice
1 tesp mustard
½ tesp garlic salt (if using garlic power, add ½ tesp of salt to the dish)
½ tesp oregano
1/4 test pepper
1 cup shredded mild or sharp cheddar cheese
OPTIONAL:  1 stack of Ritz crackers crushed into pieces


Directions:

1. Break up sausage into pieces and cook until done.  Set aside to drain.

2. Slice 1 zucchini into thin slices (these will be placed on the top of the casserole).

3. Cut the other zucchinis into bite size pieces.

4. Chop the onion into small pieces.

5. Heat canola oil and saute the onion and chopped zucchini.  Add in cooked sausage, canned tomatoes, and spices.  Mix well.

6. NOTE: if you are using UNCOOKED rice, add in all of the juice from the tomatoes and 1 cup more water.  The rice will absorb the liquid as it cooks.  HOWEVER, if you are using COOKED rice, do NOT add the extra water.

7. Put the rice on the bottom of the ungreased casserole dish.

8. Put the cooked meat and vegetables evenly over the rice.

9. Evenly place the thin sliced zucchini over the top of the casserole.

10. Cover and cook in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.

11. OPTIONAL:  Uncover and evenly spread the crushed Ritz crackers over the top of the casserole. 

12. Cover and bake 10 more minutes.  (Total cook time covered should be about 30 minutes to get the sliced zucchini cooked)

13. Remove the covering and evenly spread the grated cheese over the top of the casserole.

14. Place under the broiler for a couple of minutes to melt the cheese.

Free clipart courtesy of Dover Clipart



















Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Banana Bread


BANANA BREAD       
shared by Cris Watson

MAKES 1 large loaf or 4 small loaves
Prepare pans with non-stick spray or coat with shortening.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Ingredients:

4 small to medium VERY ripe Bananas *
2 eggs
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup buttermilk
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup white sugar
½ tesp. vanilla extract
1 tesp. banana extract
2 cups self rising flour
1/4-1/2 cup chopped walnuts


Directions:

1. *  Mash bananas with a potato masher or fork so they are still lumpy; don't puree the bananas.

In large mixing bowl:

2. Beat eggs just until blended.

3. Add extracts, oil, and buttermilk, mix just to blend.

4. Add in sugars and mix to blend.

5. Gradually add in flour, mix just to blend..

6. Stir in walnuts.

7. FOLD in bananas - do not beat with mixer.

8. Evenly divide the batter into the prepared pans.

9. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes for large loaf or 30 minutes for mini loaves.  Check for doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center to see if it comes out clean.

10. Cool on racks for 10 minutes before removing from pans.

11. These loaves keep in the freezer really well.  I wrap them in foil and then put them into a zip-lock freezer bag; I have kept them in the freezer up to 3 months without any problems.

All Photos courtesy of Doc Watson