Family Memories

I have some recipes that are family favorites as the kids were growing up. I have them in this really skinny book that I hand wrote them in, every time I need them I can never find them, so as I was going through all my cookbooks to get rid of 75% of them for a yard sale I found it. Don't worry I still have over 100 left. I am getting better. I sold over a 100 of them at my last sale or gave a lot away to family and church members..

So where to start. I think I will start with one of my husband favorite cakes.

Poppy Seed cake

This one is so easy.

Heat oven to 350

1 yellow cake mix
2 sm lemon instant pudding
1/3 cup poppy seeds
1/2 cup oil
1 cup water

Mix together and beat for three minutes. Grease and flour a bunt pan. cook until tooth pick comes out clean, I would check after 15-20 minutes.

These are my girls favorite cookies, well one of their favorite

Thumb Print cookies,

These are the best I have ever tasted and believe me I have tried many trying to make these cookies.

Heat oven to 375

1 cup butter at room temp

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 large eggs separated
1/2 tea. vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1/4 tea salt
1 1/2 cups finely chopped nuts, ( I have used almond, pecan and walnuts. Almond or pecan is my favorite. I have a friend who was one of the bakers for Safeway who loved them so much with walnuts he asked for the recipe and started selling them in the bakery over 25 years ago in Morgan hill.

raspberry jam (or your favorite, we like them with raspberry with seeds)

In a large bowl beat butter with sugar until creamy. Beat in egg yolks and vanilla. In another bowl mix flour and salt, slowly add to butter mixture.
In another bowl lightly beat egg whites with fork.
Roll dough into balls dip each in egg white and roll in nuts press thumb in middle. bake for 15 minutes, cool and fill with jam.

Turkey Turnovers.

I was talking to my daughter about these and she could not remember them. They are east and really good. I use to use left over turkey and make tons and freeze them.

Heat oven 375

Pastry for 1 single crust pie crust.
2 Tablespoon soft butter
1 cup cooked turkey (diced or shredded)
1/3 cup chopped green onions
2/3 cup sliced celery
1/3 cup sour cream

Prepare pastry combine turkey, onion, celery and sour cream. Place mixture over half the dough and crimp edges.

I always made small ones instead of one large one.

The next recipe is my favorite for bread Sticks

1 pkg yeast
1 1/3 cup warm water
3-3 1/2 cups flour
3 T vegetable oil
1 tbl honey or 1 tea sugar

1 tea salt

1 egg white beaten.
Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large bowl. Stir in one cup flour, oil, honey and salt. Beat until smooth. Stir in remaining flour. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size, about 45 minutes.
Heat oven to 400 stir down dough by beating about 25 strokes. Shape into ropes, brush with egg white sprinkle with coarse salt and bake until golden about 15 minutes.

I like to brush with butter when they are done and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. These make great pretzels also.

I will add more later since I need to get ready for my son's ball game.

Okay these are my favorite cutout cookies, every time I go to make these I cannot find the recipe, now I will have it on here and be able to find it when I need it.

Butter Cookies

2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/4 cups powder sugar
1 cup butter, soften
1 egg
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tarter
1 tsp almond extract
Frosting....I will admit I do not frost mine, I don't like really sweet cookies.
4 cups powder sugar
1/2 cup butter
3-4 tbsp milk
2 tsp vanilla
food coloring
In large mixer bowl combine all cookie ingredients, beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often until mixed well ( 3-4 minuted. If necessary chill dough about 2 hours. Heat oven to 375. Roll out dough 1/2 at a time on well floured surface ( I also do not like to use flour but powder sugar)
Roll 1/4" thickness, cut with cookie cutters. Place 1" apart on cookies sheets. Bake for 6-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
In mixing bowl combine all of frosting ingredients, beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until fluffy. If desire add food coloring. Decorate cookies.
if you would like to hang these on your tree at Christmas then while still warm use a straw to put a hole in the cookie.

24 hour Mexican Chicken Casserole

1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 large can diced green chili's
2 can's Ortega green salsa
Corn tortillas cut into triangles
onion, diced
Chicken breast
Mexican blend cheese

Mix soups and salsa and diced onion together, Chop up chicken and cut tortilla into triangles. Butter casserole pan. Lay down tortilla to cover bottom of dish, add some soup salsa mixture, chicken, cheese and chopped chilies. Keep layering.
Chill over night.
Cook 1 hour at 350