Rhubarb Cherry Jam

Besides being delicious, I love the fact that you don't have to "can" this recipe - you can just refrigerate or freeze it. It doesn't last long in our house though, due to the fact that we put it on bread, toast, pancakes, waffles, and ice cream! The kids have such an affectionate nickname for it - Blood Clots and Veins. It's because of the chunks of cherry, the stringy rhubarb, and the deep red color. And I'm sure that makes you REALLY want to try it now, right? =) You should.

5 C. rhubarb
3 C. sugar
1/2 C. water
1 can Wilderness cherry pie filling
2 sm. pkgs. cherry Jell-O

Boil rhubarb, sugar and water for 10 minutes. Add pie filling and boil 5 minutes more. Stir in Jell-O, pour into containers and refrigerate or freeze.

NOTE: One recipe makes about 3 pints. I refrigerate mine in glass canning jars. I have also substituted the cherry pie filling and Jell-O with strawberry, which was yummy!

My Homemade Pancakes

I came up with this recipe years ago, after my pancakes kept turning out different each and every time! I wanted consistency, and something home-made that my family would love. This recipe got me both.

1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. baking powder
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 C. flour
2 eggs
1/4 C. oil
2 1/2 C. milk

Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl; mix wet ingredients in a small bowl. Add wet to dry and whisk until fairly smooth. Cook on greased skillet. Makes 24 (1/4 C.) pancakes.

NOTE: Sometimes I use half regular flour and half whole wheat flour, just for a change. I'd never use more wheat flour than that, or else they'd notice. To make chocolate chip pancakes, sprinkle a few mini-chocolate chips on the top right after you flip them. These go good with a dollop of whipped cream!

Pear Lime Salad

A pretty green salad to add to your spring and summer company menu!

2 small pkgs. lime Jell-O
2 C. hot water
1 C. cold water
1 lg. can pears, drained (reserve syrup)
8 oz. Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
12 oz. Cool Whip

In large serving bowl, dissolve Jell-O in hot water. Add cold water and all the pear syrup you drained off. Puree pears and softened cream cheese in a blender. You may need to add a little of the Jell-O liquid if it's too thick. When it's all nice and smooth with no lumps of cream cheese, add it to your serving bowl with the Jell-O liquid. Stir well to incorporate, then refrigerate. When it's slightly thickened, whisk in Cool Whip. Again, make sure it's nice and smooth with no lumps of Cool Whip. Chill several hours.

Peanut Butter Frosting

1/3 C. Jif creamy peanut butter
3 Tbsp. butter
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 C. milk
3 C. powdered sugar

Cream together peanut butter and butter; add remaining ingredients and beat well.

Fluffy White Frosting

1 egg white
3/4 C. sugar
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 C. boiling water

Combine all ingredients and beat on high for 10 minutes. Cover mixer with a towel first. Goes good on both angel food and chocolate cake!

Caramel Frosting

1/2 C. butter
1 C. brown sugar
1/4 C. milk
2 C. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
Pinch of salt

Boil butter and brown sugar over Medium heat for 2 minutes. Add milk and boil 2 more minutes. Beat in remaining ingredients until smooth and slightly thickened.

Chocolate Cake

I know it seems weird to share a recipe for chocolate cake. Why? Well, for one, it seems like a pretty basic, simple item to make. I mean, what good homemaker wouldn't know how to make one? And second, I'm pretty sure that if people don't already have a favorite recipe, they certainly have a favorite brand of box mix. But you really need to try this one. I can't explain why it's so good - it just is! Sweet and moist, too! Several years ago I switched from metal baking pans and dishes to glass, and man - was I ever surprised at the results - especially in my cakes! When I grease the glass 9x13 pan and bake cakes at 325°, they rise so high and level, with no more hills or valleys down the center. Check it out and see if you notice a difference!

3 C. flour
2 C. sugar
6 Tbsp. cocoa
2 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
3/4 C. oil
2 Tbsp. vinegar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 C. cold water

Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Mix wet ingredients in a small bowl. Add wet to dry; whisk well. Pour into a greased 9x13 glass pan and bake at 325° for 30-40 minutes. Cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Raspberry Cordial

I've made this recipe several times over the years as a special treat for my girls - especially when we've got 'Anne of Green Gables' on the brain. We haven't had a marathon movie-watching day that featured Anne in awhile, but after browsing my recipes and finding this one, I think it's time. Drink up!

1# raspberries, frozen
1 1/4 C. sugar
4 C. boiling water
2 lemons

In saucepan, add sugar to frozen raspberries and cook for 20-25 minutes, until sugar has dissolved. Pour through fine strainer, mashing with a spoon thoroughly, then discarding pulp and seeds. Add the strained juice of two lemons and stir. Add boiling water, let cool, and refrigerate.

NOTE: I always use bottled lemon juice because I never have fresh on hand.

Caramel Bars

I got this recipe from my cousin, a long LONG time ago, and have been making them for years! These bars are super sweet, so be sure and cut 'em small.

1 14-oz. bag Kraft caramels
5 oz. evaporated milk
1 1/2 C. flour
1 1/2 C. oatmeal
1 C. + 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
3/4 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 C. butter, soft
1 1/2 C. Nestle mini-chocolate chips

Melt caramels and milk over low heat; set aside. Mix and blend flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, soda, salt and butter. Pat 3/4 of this crumb mixture into a 9x13 glass pan and bake at 325° for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle immediately with chocolate chips. Pour caramel mixture on top and spread to the edges with a knife. Sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture and bake 25 minutes more.

NOTE:If you like nuts, then add some chopped pecans after the final crumb topping. Yummo!

Salsa Chicken

1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. honey
1 C. salsa
4-6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

Combine brown sugar, honey and salsa in a small bowl. Pour over chicken and bake at 400° for 15-20 minutes.