Country Cooking 11-15-2017

Cranberry Salad

1 3- ounce package raspberry Jello

1 3-ounce package strawberry Jello

2 cups hot water.

1 package cranberries, chopped

2 cups sugar

1 can crushed pineapple

2 cups fresh orange slices or 2 cans drained mandarin oranges

1 cup nutmeats chopped

Pour hot water in Jello to dissolve, let congeal partly. Add 2 cups sugar with chopped cranberries and heat over slow heat until sugar is dissolved, remove from burner and let cool. Add: l can crushed pineapple, 2 cups orange slices cut up  (or 2 cans drained mandarin oranges) and chopped nutmeats, add to mixture and stir. Will keep quite awhile in refrigerator.

Tropical Sweet Potatoes

4 large sweet potatoes (3 1/2 pounds)

1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, undrained

6 tablespoons butter, melted, divided

3/4 teaspoon salt

Pinch pepper

1/2 cup crushed saltines

2 tablespoons brown sugar

Pinch ground cloves

In a large saucepan, cover sweet potatoes with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until tender. Drain and cool. Peel the potatoes and place in a large bowl; mash. Add the crushed pineapple, 2 tablespoons butter, salt and pepper; mix well.

Transfer potato mixture to a greased 2 quart baking dish. Combine saltines, brown sugar, cloves and remaining butter; sprinkle over potatoes. Bake, uncovered, at 375º for 30 minutes. Yield: 8 to 10 servings.

Baked Potato Cheddar Soup

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

3 cups milk

2 large potatoes, baked, peeled and coarsely mashed (1 1/2 lbs.)1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese. divided

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions, divided

In a large saucepan, whisk flour and

Crumbled cooked bacon, optional

milk until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in the potatoes, 1/3 cup cheese, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Remove from the heat. Stir in sour cream and 1/4 cup onions until blended. Cover; cook over medium heat for 10-12 minutes or until heated through (do not boil). Garnish with remaining cheese, onions and, if desired, bacon.  4 servings.

Happy Cooking!