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Memories & Recipes Some of the neatest things grow on vines; even some that I wouldn't have expected. I never really gave any thought as to where the loofah came from, I just used them. Bill Gates called me to get a package of loofahs. They grow on a vine until dried out, then you peel them and use them. Inside the fruit are a lot of seeds. Bill can grow most anything. I have received cuttings of Rose of Sharon plants and even produce from his many gardens. I'm waiting for a cutting from a money tree. Anybody out there have any? I'll trade you some recipes for the cuttings (that's plural!). By the way, that would not be Bill Gates the Microsoft mogul, rather it is Bill Gates the museum mogul. While I picked up my loofahs, I also visited his mini museum. There is quite a lot to see, in the museum, that brings back memories for me. The best memory that came to my mind was when he showed me the bright red ice tongs. I couldn't help but think of the Saturday evening rides in the back of Uncle Richard's truck to go to the ice house. The five cousins would pile into the back and ride uptown to get Granny's ice for the week. I don't really remember why she needed the huge block of ice because she had a refrigerator. She may have kept her old ice box out in the garage. But I do remember that Uncle Richard told me I could get the ice if I could pick it up. I never could do that by myself. The tongs were very large and heavy. The ones I saw at Bill's didn't look that large or maybe I have just grown to be a formidable opponent of the ice block. Anyway, here is the advance payment for my money tree cuttings! While you're waiting for the tree to produce, why not visit Bill's museum? See what memories you can delve into.
Canned Swiss Steak
1/2 c all
purpose flour
Combine flour, 2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper; pound into meat. Cut meat into serving sizes. Brown meat in hot shortening and then drain. Pack the meat into hot jars, leave one inch headspace. Combine remaining ingrediets; bring sauce to boiling. Pour sauce over steak. Process in pressure canner at 10 lbs pressure ( about 90 minutes). Makes 3 quarts. Before serving, boil uncovered, at least 10 minutes before tasting or using. For each qt. combine 1/4 C cold water and 2 T flour. Slowly add to meat mixture. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.
Freezing fresh corn Bill and Mary freeze their corn, on the cob and unpeeled. Bill cuts both ends off and places them in freezer bags without any precooking at all. To cook, peel and place in boiling, salted water until tender.
Pecan Date Bars
crust:
topping:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare 13X9X2 pan. For crust, place cake mix in large bowl and cut in butter with pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Add egg and stir well. Pat mixture into bottom of pan. For topping, combine dates, pecans and water in medium saucepan. Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer until mixture thickens, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Spread date mixture evenly over crust. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes. Cool then dust with confectioners sugar. Cut into bars. Store in airtight containers.
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