Lemons Family Favorites http://lemonscookbook.com/ en 2004-02-04T15:18:02-06:00 Welcome to the Lemons' Family Cookbook http://lemonscookbook.com/archives/welcome_to_the_lemons_family_cookbook.html ... or as Grandma Lemons more accurately titled it, the Lemons' Family Favorites.

I encourage you to take a look around, try out some of the recipes, and leave as many comments as you like.

If you find a typo -- and I'm sure there are plenty -- just send an email to joeljohnson@gmail.com and I'll fix it up.

When I think of the Lemons Family, more than anything, I think of food.

Entering in these recipes has been an opportunity for me to reminisce about the times we all gathered in the old house on the highway over the years, times that were almost invariably tied in some way to the tastes and smells of the food that was around.

Pushing blankets down in the morning to the smells of biscuits, ham, and gravy; meals so large they overflowed the countertops to cover the tops of the freezer, the washer and dryer, and whatever surface was spare; engaging in heated arguments spirited discussion about god-knows-what over coffee and pie (or cake, or ice cream, or cookies, or brownies).

I always presumed that every family ate so lavishly and with such frequency. It was years later (coincidentally, nearly the same time I had to start cooking for myself) that I realized what effort and concern had gone into preparing it all.

These foods are as much a part of my experience of 'family' as anything, and for Grandma to have taken the time and effort to catalog them was a remarkable gift. Being able to pass these recipes and stories on to family and friends is important, even though it will just be an echo of those times, at best.

It's hokey to say so, but every time I typed in a new recipe I spent a little time in that kitchen, remembering, and I hope that as you go through some of these recipes (and hopefully make some of the food!), you can remember some of those times, too.

]]> Meta Joel 2004-02-04T15:18:02-06:00 Guacamole http://lemonscookbook.com/archives/guacamole.html
  • 2 medium avocados
  • 1 small tomato, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons minced onion
  • 1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder (I don't.)
  • ½ teaspoon salt.

    Peel avocados. Mash with fork in medium size bowl. Stir in tomato, onion, lime or lemon juice, garlic powder & salt. Makes enough to serve 6.

    I like it with shredded lettuce with any kind of Mexican food.

    ]]> Main Dishes, Meats, Vegetables Joel 2004-02-04T14:10:26-06:00 Molded Gelatin Salad http://lemonscookbook.com/archives/molded_gelatin_salad.html Dissolve 1 package lemon or lime Jello in 1 cup hot water. Let set till partially set, then whip with mixer until fluffy. Stir in 1 cup cottage cheese, 1 cup cooked, drained, crushed pineapple, ½ cup chopped nuts, and 2 tbs. Miracle Whip -- can add a little sour cream if you like.

    Pour in flat pan & let "set" in refrigerator. Shred cheese on top.

    ]]>     Salads Joel 2004-02-04T14:04:45-06:00     Easy Cottage Cheese Salad http://lemonscookbook.com/archives/easy_cottage_cheese_salad.html
  • 1 cup cottage cheese
  • 1 package dry Jello - orange, lemon, etc.
  • 1 cup drained pineapple
  • 1 cup drained mandarin oranges
  • 1 cup miniature marshmallows
  • ½ cup nuts (English walnuts or pecans)
  • 1 cup Cool Whip

    Just mix all together & chill before serving.

    ]]> Salads Joel 2004-02-04T13:53:45-06:00 Raisin Carrot Salad http://lemonscookbook.com/archives/raisin_carrot_salad.html
  • 3 ½ cups shredded carrots
  • 1 cup miniature marshmallows
  • 1 small can crushed pineapple, drained
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 1 cup coconut

    Toss to mix. Add 1 cup sour cream to mixture. Fold in 1 cup whipped topping. Freezes well.

    ]]> Salads Joel 2004-02-04T13:50:31-06:00 Seven Layer Salad http://lemonscookbook.com/archives/seven_layer_salad.html Fill a large salad bowl half-full of shredded lettuce, sliced like cabbage, not torn.

    Add in layers:

    • 1/3 cup each chopped celery, green pepper, onion
    • 1 package (10 oz.) frozen peas, cooked & drained
    • 1 pint Miracle Whip or mayonnaise
    • 2 tablespoons sugar, sprinkled over dressing
    • 1 - 6 ounces shredded cheese
    • 8 strips bacon, fried & crumbled over top

    Cover with plastic & refrigerate 8 hours or overnight. Do not mix before serving.

    ]]>     Salads Joel 2004-02-04T13:46:22-06:00     Wilted Lettuce http://lemonscookbook.com/archives/wilted_lettuce.html Clean LEAF BY LEAF and wash through 2 or 3 pans of water. Drain, and add 6 or 8 green onions & 6 or 8 radishes. Sprinkle 1 tsp. salt & 3 tbs. sugar over lettuce mixture.

    In skillet, cut up & fry 3 or 4 slices bacon till crisp. If you don't want the bacon, just use about ¼ cup bacon grease. Add ¼ cup vinegar & 2 tablespoons water. Just before serving, heat together until very hot, and pour over lettuce.

    Adjust the ingredients to your taste. You can use head lettuce and winter onions, but they are not as good as my "YARDEN" ones. Wayne can eat a lot of this.

    ]]>     Salads Joel 2004-02-04T13:37:33-06:00     Potato Salad http://lemonscookbook.com/archives/potato_salad.html Peel & boil in salted water enough potatoes to make a large bowl full. Boil until just tender enough to chop in small pieces. Drain & chop potatoes.

    Add:

    • 1 small minced onion
    • 3 chopped hard boiled eggs
    • ½ cup chopped sweet pickles
    • A little chopped pimento if you like the flavor
    • ½ teaspoon celery seed
    • 2 tablespoons (more or less) prepared mustard
    • 6 tablespoons Miracle Whip

    I don't measure this very accurately, but usually mix and taste. I add enough of the pickle juice to make it thin enough to stir easily. If it is too sweet, add a little vinegar. I place in bowl, and shred American or Cheddar cheese on top & sprinkle with paprika. Keep cold.

    ]]>     Salads Joel 2004-02-04T13:33:07-06:00     Waldorf Salad http://lemonscookbook.com/archives/waldorf_salad.html
  • 2 cups diced apple, unpeeled
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • ½ cup halved seedless grapes
  • ¼ cup broken nuts (I like English walnuts.)
  • ¼ cup Miracle Whip

    Toss apple, celery, grapes & nuts with dressing. I sometimes use a little chopped lettuce in mine.

    ]]> Salads Joel 2004-02-04T13:29:15-06:00 Cauliflower and Broccoli Salad http://lemonscookbook.com/archives/cauliflower_and_broccoli_salad.html
  • 2 cups coarsely chopped cauliflower
  • 2 cups coarsely chopped broccoli
  • 2 cups chopped celery
  • 3 or 4 chopped green onions
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup sweet cream
  • 3 tablespoons Miracle Whip

    Blend all ingredients and refrigerate before serving.

    I think this is just as good if you use one of the creamy dressings, instead of the cream & Miracle Whip -- I like Green Goddess. Wayne likes this marinated in Italian dressing.

    ]]> Salads Joel 2004-02-04T13:25:48-06:00 Kraut Salad http://lemonscookbook.com/archives/kraut_salad.html
  • 1 cup chopped kraut
  • 1 green pepper, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • ½ cup celery, chopped
  • 1 small can chopped pimentos
  • ½ cup vinegar
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt

    Stir all together and let set in refrigerator overnight.

    This is Grandpa Orville's favorite.

    ]]> Salads Joel 2004-02-04T13:22:42-06:00 Theresa's Relish Slaw http://lemonscookbook.com/archives/theresas_relish_slaw.html
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 1 cup pure apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seed

    Combine above ingredients, stir & add:

    • 1 large head cabbage, chopped fine
    • 1 medium onion, chopped
    • 1 green pepper, chopped
    • 1 cup carrots, shredded

    Let stand overnight, and just dip out what you need to serve. This will freeze, but is not quite so crisp as when fresh.

    Theresa left out the carrots, but I like them or some pimentos for color.

    ]]> Salads Joel 2004-02-04T13:20:09-06:00 Four Bean Salad http://lemonscookbook.com/archives/four_bean_salad.html
  • 1 can (2 cups) green beans, drained
  • 1 can (2 cups) yellow wax beans, drained
  • 1 can (2 cups) red kidney beans, drained
  • 1 can (2 cups) garbanzos (chick peas), drained
  • 1 medium-large green pepper, sliced
  • 1 medium-large onion, sliced
  • 1 small can pimentos, chopped
  • 1 ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup wine or cider vinegar
  • ½ cup salad oil (I sometimes use ¼)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon dry mustard seed
  • ½ teaspoon celery seed

    Place first 7 ingredients in large bowl. Thoroughly combine the sugar, vinegar, oil, salt, mustand & celery seed in saucepan. Heat until sugar is disolved, cool and pour over the vegetables.

    Cover; marinate overnight, stirring once or twice. Before serving, stir & drain. Will keep several days in refrigerator. Freezes well.

    ]]> Salads Joel 2004-02-04T13:16:06-06:00 My Favorite Fruit Salad http://lemonscookbook.com/archives/my_favorite_fruit_salad.html I just use frozen peaches, frozen or fresh pineapple, chopped apples, oranges, bananas, miniature marshmallows & English walnuts or pecans. I don't use any sugar & I don't measure -- just toss in as much as you want.

    Good with vanilla ice cream.

    ]]>     Salads Joel 2004-02-04T13:09:46-06:00     Frozen Cranberry Salad http://lemonscookbook.com/archives/frozen_cranberry_salad.html
  • 1 cup ground cranberries
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 large can crushed pineapple
  • ½ cup chopped nuts
  • 1 1/3 cups miniature marshmallows
  • 1 cup Cool Whip

    Put sugar on ground berries & let stand 2 hours. Add remaining ingredients & mix well. Freeze in meal-size containers.

    To serve, remove from freezer a few minutes, slice & serve.

    ]]> Salads Joel 2004-02-04T13:07:37-06:00