OKAY, OKAY SO I BAKED A LITTLE (SHORTCAKE)

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE:

1 3/4 CUP FLOUR
1/4 CUP CORNSTARCH
2 TBSP SUGAR
4 TSP BAKING POWDER
1 TSP SALT
6 TBSP BUTTER (SOFTENED)
3/4 CUP MILK
1/2 TSP CINNAMON

MIX ALL DRY INGREDIENTS AND THEN ADD BUTTER.
CUT BUTTER INTO DRY
ADD MILK
ADD CINNAMON

MIX INTO A STIFF BATTER
SPREAD INTO PAN AND SPRINKLE MORE  CINNAMON ON TOP.

BAKE IN A GREASED PIE PAN FOR 20-25 MIN. AT 375 DEGREES.

I DOUBLE THIS RECIPE SO MY SHORTCAKE IS THICKER. BAKING TIME WILL INCREASE TO 30 MINUTES OR UNTIL KNIFE COMES OUT CLEAN IN CENTER.

SERVE WITH FRESH OR CRUSHED BERRIES AND COOL WHIP.

STRAWBERRY FREEZER JAM

1 QT OF STRAWBERRIES PER BATCH (APPROX. 2 C. CRUSHED BERRIES=3 PINTS OF JAM

2 cups crushed berries
4 cups sugar
1/3 cup sure jel
3/4 cup water

$21 FLAT

Remove stems and wash berries

Grind berries in a food processor

Mix 4 cups sugar with 2 cups ground berries. Set aside for 20 minutes and continue to make up three batches this same way. Do not double the recipe. Each batch has to be made up separately.

Mix 3/4 cup water with 1/3 cup sure jel and boil on med.

Mix sure jel mixture with fruit and sugar and fill jars. Cover with lid

POTATO CAKES

Originally Potato Balls but we changed the name to Potato Cakes. These are really easy to make.

Begin with 6 peeled and diced potatoes. Boil them until tender. Drain and cool. 
When potatoes are a bit cooled off, put them into a food processor with 1/2 cup sour cream
or mayonnaise, 1 egg and mix until creamy.
Add 1 tbsp of bacon style bits, 1/2 tsp garlic, 3 diced scallions (green tops too) and 1/2 of your favorite shredded cheese. 
Roll into balls and roll into seasoned bread crumbs. 

Which I make myself.

4 bread butts
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
(Parmesan optional)
Blend in a food processor

Bake on a greased sheet pan for 25 minutes turning once.
Serve with ranch and additional chopped scallions.

THE BOYS COOK

It's not just me, the boys like to cook too. Dan makes a homemade marinara sauce and pasta that is so good. The boys like to help in the kitchen too. This sauce takes a little time since it has to simmer for 20-30 minutes to thicken.

1 can whole tomatoes blended. 5 chopped garlic cloves. Fresh herbs. 1 TBSP tomato paste, 1 TBSP sugar

Keeping an eye on things is important

Simmer the sauce for 30 minutes

Cook pasta al dente

Add pasta to sauce and cook some more.

Bon Apitite!