I like to watch many of the cooking shows on the Food Network on the weekends. Ellie Krieger prepared this one on Saturday, June 30th. Being a southern girl, I was intrigued and watched all the way through. The ingredients sounded good and the finished product looked good. Needless to say, I gave it a try and it was such a family pleaser. I am sharing it with you -- with all credit for recipe going to Ellie Krieger.

Jambalaya with Shrimp and Ham
I tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, diced
1 red bell pepper diced
1 green pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
˝ tspn salt
1/4-tspn black pepper
1-tspn paprika
1/2-tspn dried oregano
1/2-tspn dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1/4-tspn cayenne pepper
1-tbspn tomato paste
6-ounces diced, smoked ham
2 1/2-cup chicken broth
1-cup uncooked long or medium grain rice
1(14.05-oz)can diced tomatoes
1-lb peeled and deveined medium shrimp

Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over a medium heat. Add the onion, peppers and garlic and saute until they begin to soften, about 10 minutes. Mix in the next 11 ingredients, salt through the diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Stir in the rice, cover, reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until rice is done and most of the liquid is absorbed. Add the shrimp and cook, covered, for 5 minutes more, or until shrimp is cooked through. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Note: I didn't change on e thing. It was delicious!
Thanks Ellie Krieger

Watkins Potato Salad
6 eggs
2 pounds potatoes

Cook eggs to hard boiled stage. Let cool before chopping. Cook potatoes until done, cool and cut up.

1 cup Miracle Whip
1/4 Cup celery
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. Watkins Black Pepper
4 tsp. Watkins Potato Salad Seasoning.

Mix dressing ingredients well and blend into cooled, chopped eggs and potatoes. Potato salad is best if kept in refrigerator for at least 3 hours before serving so flavors can develop. 10 servings
www.watkinsonline.com/hutto
sunnywatkinsgirl@aol.com

Cook's Choice® Chicken Fry Mix

I am trying to find a recipe for "cowboy beans" for 50 people. I thinkt they have hamburger, onion, tomato sauce in them but am not sure what else and do not know the amounts. Any help would be appreciated.
Pat Russell in Duncan, OK

To Nancy in MT-How is virgin coconut oil used? I have seen it in my local natural food store, but don't know what to do with it. Do you fry foods in it? Use it for baking in place of shortening? I would appreciate any helpful hints.

To "Louisiana Lady" in the July 18th newsletter who provided the peanut butter fudge recipe...How much is a "block" of butter? Is it a stick or a full one-pound block? Thank you.
Diane in Grafton, WI

I would like to apologize for remembering to include link to the newsletter several times lately.  I am still in Arizona and am very tired.  I have my both my cats with me.  Ditto should be renamed to Houdini.  While I am sleeping he is managing to get the door to the apartment open and chasing a rabbit outside. Siggy is not interested in chasing the rabbit but does walk out the open door.   Ditto escapes several times each night by sitting on the back of the couch and pushing down the door handle with his paw and pulling the door open with is paw.  The apartment is handicapped equipped  including the door handles.  Even when the door is locked the door handle can be opened from the inside by pushing down on the door handle.  Ditto just pushes down, opens the door and out he goes.  Because Ditto is deaf and the coyotes close by I am afraid he and Siggy will get hurt. Tonight I have put a heavy chair in front of the door.  He can still turn the knob but the door will not open. Maybe I can get some sleep tonight. Again, I am sorry I haven't included the link to the newsletter on several editions.
Nancy Rogers

For Millie in MO (July 20th)
from gramaj

Magic Sweet Rolls
Everyone will enjoy baking and eating these simple sweet rolls made with marshmallows and crescent rolls.

1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon (plus) cinnamon
1 - 8 ounce can crescent rolls
8 large marshmallows
2 tablespoons butter, melted
milk
sugar

Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
Place cookie sheet in oven.
Lightly grease 8 cups of a 12-cup muffin pan.
Combine sugar, flour and cinnamon, set aside.
Separate crescents. Roll marshmallow in butter and then into spice mixture.

Place in middle of crescent dough. Pull sides up and completely seal marshmallow inside. Place in prepared muffin cup. Repeat with rest of dough and marshmallow. Brush each roll with milk and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Fill empty muffin cups half way with water.

Place muffin pan on cookie sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm.

To Doris in Michigan concerning yellowed plastic parts for wedding cake separator plates...I have that problem also! I'm going to try soaking them in bleach water--I've already tried running them through the dishwasher with no luck. If the bleach doesn't work, I'm going to try soaking them in water with some Oxyclean powder mixed in. I'll let you know if it works. They are just too expensive to throw away.

In the past, I've tried to camoflauge the parts by piping icing flowers/vines on the yellowed parts or I'll make my icing with butter so that it is an "antique white" and then it's not such a sharp contrast to the yellowed plastic.
Grandma Teeters in GA

This is a TNT receipe for Millie in MO.

Magic Marshmallow Crescent Puffs

Rolls
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 (8-oz.) cans Pillsbury® Refrigerated Crescent Dinner Rolls
16 large marshmallows
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

Glaze
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 to 3 teaspoons milk
1/4 cup chopped nuts

Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 16 medium muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray. In small bowl, combine sugar, flour and cinnamon; mix well.

Separate dough into 16 triangles. For each roll, dip 1 marshmallow in melted butter; roll in sugar mixture. Place marshmallow on shortest side of triangle. Roll up, starting at shortest side and rolling to opposite point. Completely cover marshmallow with dough; firmly pinch edges to seal. Dip 1 end in remaining butter; place butter side down in sprayed muffin cup.

Bake at 375°F. for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. (Place foil or cookie sheet on rack below muffin cups to guard against spills.) Cool in pan 1 minute. Remove rolls from muffin cups; place on wire racks set over waxed paper.

In small bowl, blend powdered sugar, vanilla and enough milk for desired drizzling consistency. Drizzle glaze over warm rolls. Sprinkle with nuts. Serve warm.

16 rolls

Vickie in MO

This recipe was also sent in by gramaj

I am looking for a recipe that was on your Post 100 %Bran. It was a cookie recipe that didn't have peanut butter or chocolate chips in it. My daughter is pregnant and she has a craving for these cookies I made years ago. Please help.I would be so grateful.
Yours Truly, Rose Currie

Molasses Bran Cookies
2 cups flour
1 cup 100 percent bran cereal
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup light margarine, at room temperature
1 egg, at room temperature
1/3 cup molasses
1/4 cup sugar
In a small bowl, combine flour, cereal and baking soda; set aside. Beat brown sugar and margarine until creamy. Add egg and molasses; beat until smooth. Stir in flour mixture. Cover; refrigerate dough 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. With greased hands, shape dough into 48 (1-1/4 inch) balls; roll in sugar. Place on cookie sheets 2 inches apart. Lightly sprinkle balls with water. bake 10 to 12 minutes.

Makes 4 dozen cookies. Per serving: 63 calories, 2 grams fat, 4 milligrams cholesterol, 12 grams, carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 1 gram protein, 97 milligrams sodium.
Source: www.weight-loss-center.net/

Bran Cookies
2 Eggs,; well beaten
4 tb Sour milk
1/2 ts Salt
1/4 c Butter or butter substitute
1 ts Cinnamon
1 c Bran
1 c Flour
1/4 ts Baking soda
1/2 c Sugar
1 c Chopped raisins

Sift flour, measure, and sift with salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. Add bran. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs. Beat thoroughly. Add sifted dry ingredients alternately with milk. Add raisins. Mix thoroughly. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto well-oiled baking sheet. Bake in moderate oven (400 F) about 20 minutes. 20 servings.
Source: http://www.recipesource.com
Emma from Montana

Nancy, thanks for all the hard work you do, so we can enjoy this site. A few months ago a Nancylander said he could not find yellow corn on the cob in her area. I believe she was from Los Banos, CA. Yesterday while driving my granddaughter up to El Dorado Hills, I stopped at a very large fruit stand. they had both yellow and white corn, so I bought some of both. Fixed one ear if each tonight for dinner and it was so sweet and tender. If the lady in Los Banos would like to contact me at Rwil143883@aol.com I will give her directions on how to get there. It's a nice drive. Thanks again for all you do. Romona in San Jose, was from Modesto until March.

July 20, 2007 Newsletter
Re: Saving recipes using Windows Vista
I have Vista and all I do is copy the recipe and paste it into a Word or Works document. I save it as "Recipes" in a folder in the Word or Works program. I have been saving recipes from the newsletter this way for years. Hope it works well for others!!
Carin in Lake Mary, FL

To add to that tip: If saving in a Word Processing program and if you use 5x3" recipe cards, size your Recipe File to that size and you can immediately print your saved recipe on a card.

~*Mary Alyce*~ from WI

Hi Nancy, In response to DB whose husband is entering a cake baking contest at their church next month, I have TNT recipe that is really good, not hard and people love it. I live near Pittsburgh PA and we have a wonderful, wonderful lady, Arlene Williams, who cooks on CTV. This is one of her recipes that I have made a countless number of times.

Mom's Delicious Homemade Chocolate Cake
2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup cocoa
1 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup hot coffee
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2 9-inch round cake pans. Line with wax paper and set aside.

In a bowl using an electric mixer set at medium speed, beat together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa, sugar, oil, coffee and milk for 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla and beat for an additional 2 minutes. (The batter will be thin) Pour into prepared pans.

Bake for 25 to 35 minutes. Cool cake layers in pans on wire racks for about 15 minutes. Peel off wax paper. Cool completely. Frost with Creamy Icing

Creamy Icing
1 cup milk
5 Tbsp flour
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla

In a saucepan combine mlk and flour. Stir with a whisk until all lumps are dissolved. Cook over medium heat until very thick, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and refrigerate covered until completely cool.

In a bowl, combine butter, shortening, sugar and vanilla. Beat until cream Add chilled milk mixture and beat for about 10 minutes. Ice cake immediately.

Nancy, in a side note, I would like to express my sympathy to you in the loss of your brother. My brother, my only sibling, passed away on Father's Day after about a year long battle with ALS. It was a devastating disease and really took its toll on him and his family.

Elyssa Hewitt
Monroeville PA

I hope that someone out there can help me find a recipe. It was one that my mother fixed and after she died, the recipe must have gotten lost in moving everything. I have gone through her recipes and just can't find it. All I remember was that it had grated cucumbers in it along with some sour cream and mayonnaise. There might have been some onion and celery. It was in some type of gelatin because it was a molded salad. It was creamy and very good. With cucumbers fresh right now, I would love to find this recipe and make it.
Jane Ann in Alabama

Is Nancy from Montana with the One Skillet Spaghetti Recipe July 20,2007, originally from Tampa?
Vinnie in Florida

In response to LaLa in Doyline LA in july 16 newsletter: Cornbread dressing can be frozen. My mother-in-law usually made extra chicken and cornbread dressing at Thanksgiving. She would freeze a large pan/dish to take out and cook for Christmas. The frozen seemed to be even better than the fresh. We thought maybe the flavors had time to mingle better. She would usually take from freezer and put in fridge in time to thaw so it would not take so long to cook the day she wanted it.
Etta in LA

Nancy,A few weeks ago you had a recipe for cookies, and it called for a package of Jello. I think it was lime jello but you said to try other flavors also. I thought I had saved it in my files but I can't find it. If you or any of the group remembers this recipe could you please email it to me.
Thank You Marcia in Oregon

Hi Nancy and everyone who reads the newsletter,
My most recent obsession for recipes that I am collecting are "Cowboy" recipes. I have found some really great ones at www.recipegoldmine.com

I was wondering if any of you have any TNT "Cowboy" recipes you would like to share. I don't need any for "Cowboy Cookies", I already have about ten versions of those.

I am not looking for Tex-Mex recipes, but thanks to Tona in Bama for the Tex-Mex Wontons, they are going in my file.

Merry M in MN (really beautiful here this Summer!)

Hi Nancy! Glad to hear you are able to enjoy your visit. And thanks for sharing your new buddies picture with us. What a lovely looking dog!
I wanted to say to Diane who was wondering about bacon grease in green beans: If using canned, put the can with liquid in your pan, add about 1 tsp, ( use the table ware teaspoon not a measure spoon) bacon grease in the pan, bring it to the boil then simmer a few just till all heated thru. You don't need much to give the beans a great flavor.

No Pasta salad recipes out there? Still waiting for someone to share their favorite! Thanks in advance!
Billie in Fl

Also, upon reading requests for ice tea - here us a great recipe for a fruit tea drink. Take a fruit tea bag (like strawberry or blueberry) and place it into a 2 litre bottle of 7-up. Let sit overnight and you have a refreshing drink. I use diet 7-up for a very low calorie refreshing drink.
Jan from (Can)ada

Hi Nancy and all.... in the July 18th letter Kris Miller asked for easy
pressure cooker recipes so here is one of my favorites. I make this in my 8 qt. Cook's Essential digital electric pressure cooker. What a
great PC!
Barb/De.

Pressure Cooker ITALIAN SAUSAGES & PEPPERS
1 Tbsp olive oil
3 lbs. Italian Sausage cut into 4" lenghts
3 cups sliced green peppers
2 cups sliced onions
2 cloves garlic chopped
1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
1 cup white wine or chicken broth

Put oil in PC. Brown sausages in batches. Remove to a plate. Add to pot-peppers, onions, garlic and seasoning. Stir 2-3 mins. Stir in wine. Cook 1 min. Return sausages and any juices to pot. Stir gently. Cover and lock lid. Select High pressure for 4 mins. Use quick release. Serve in crusty rolls.
Serves 8.

In Friday's newsletter, Doris in Michigan was asking for help in cleaning her yellowed cake decorating parts. Cascade has a plastics cleaner that you use in the dishwasher. You might look on the package and see if it could be of some help to you.
Connie in TX

In Wednesdays newsletter, Lynette B. was needing help with a box of new potatoes she had been given. Yes, you can can them. I remember being at my grandmother's farm and scraping tons of new potatoes!! I really hated it, but loved eating them. I guess we were scraping the peels off, plus the dirt. I don't know exactly how she canned them-Just put them in quart jars and poured in boiling(?) water and some salt, then sealed and pressured them for a while. I'm sure if you look in some cookbooks that deal with canning you can find the process.

A good book is the Blue Ball Cookbook-put out by the Ball jar company. Good luck and enjoy those potatoes!
Connie in TX

Has anyone ever used peanut butter cookies crushed up for a pie instead of graham crackers? I have a TON of leftover PB cookies that apparently my family is not going to eat. I thought I might crush them and use them for a pie crust for a peanut butter pie. Too much PB maybe??? I don't like the chocolate pie crust that the recipe calls for and graham crackers and PB just don't do it for me. I'm not sure if you would add more sugar to it,
maybe just the butter.

thanks in advance! Looking forward to fall in SW Kansas!!
Kathy Clark

Hi Nancy, I am in the process of purchasing a bread machine and was wondering if some of the great cooks have any suggestions as to the one I should purchase. The cost is not a factor. I made my own bread for years but lately Arthritis in my hands and elbows keeps me from kneading the bread. I have bought several mixes from Dennis and they are great, however, still need to kneed them. You mentioned you make your raisin bread in a machine. Would love to purchase one. Pat, Magnolia, DE

This is in reply to Milllie in Mo - requesting the quick cinnamon roll recipe, baked in a muffin pan. Melt a stick of oleomargarine, mix cinnamon and sugar in small bowl (you can use whatever ratio, depending on your individual taste), large marshmallows and a can of refrigerated crescent rolls. Separate the crescent rolls, as packaged, brush with melted oleo, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar - place one marshmallow on the roll and wrap, sealing the edges. Place in muffin pan and pour remaining melted oleo over and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon\sugar mixture. Bake in moderate oven until lightly browned.

I have let the kids make these, using canned biscuits, rolled into a circle. They are just as good, more economical, but not flakey like the crescent rolls.

Hope this is what you are looking for, or close enough to it, that you can improvise.
Jean, NE OK

This past week we were vacationing in Iowa and tried 2 very delicious breads. One in Boone, Iowa was from the bakery and was a yeast bread called Dutch Apple Bread. It was great and I am wondering if anyone in Nancy's world has a recipe for a bread like this. The other bread was in Eastern Iowa and was a very soft bread called Onion and Cheese Bread. It looked like it possibly had an egg in it as it was quite yellow and green onions and some of the tops. My Husband would appreciate any help with recipes for these 2 breads. Thanks for all you do, Nancy. Where in Arizona are you located?
Karin in NE

For Shawn in Friday's newsletter who was looking for a carpet freshner -- I use plain old everyday baking soda. If you've first cleaned it with a liquid, be sure it is completely dry before sprinkling the baking soda. Let it sit for a hour or so, then dust vacuum it up.
Barbara Nosek Las Vegas

Cabbage Casserole
1 small head cabbage chopped
1 pound lean ground sirloin
1 cup chopped white onion
1/2 cup raw rice
1 can tomato soup
1 soup can water

Brown sirloin and onion then drain well. Mix in rice and place cabbage over. Pour mixture of tomato soup and water over the top then cover with foil and bake at 350 for 1 hour. Stir before serving.
Tona in Bama

Hi Nancy,
Every once in a while we have a member ask for gluten-free recipes. I've never used one of these recipes, but last weeks local Sunday paper had an article on a grandmother who published a cookbook of gluten -free cooking. Her journey developed from a need for one of her grandchildren who could not eat gluten, wheat, eggs, dairy and peanuts.

The book is Grandma's Guide to Gluten Free Cooking by Barbara Wells. The book is sold online at www.grandmasglutenfree.com.
The cost for pb is $12.50 and hb is $24.50 and it is available at Akin's Natural Food markets.

I have no monetary interest in this book, nor do I know Ms. Wells and I'm not being compensated for telling this. I just thought it might be of some interest to our readers who are affected by this. I know it would be hard to cook for someone with these allergies.
Jae, Central Oklahoma

Raisin Bran Cookies
2 c. sifted flour
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 c. butter
1 c. brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 c. milk
2 eggs
2 c. Post Raisin Bran
1 c. chopped nuts
1/2 c. chocolate chips
1/2 c. Baker's coconut, cut

Or use 2 cups Post Toasties, Post 40% Bran Flakes, or Grape-Nut Flakes and add 1/4 cup raisins.
Sift flour once, measure, add soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and sift again. Cream shortening and add sugar gradually, creaming thoroughly. Add milk and eggs and beat well. Add flour mixture and mix well; then add cereal and nuts. Divide mixture in three parts.

To one part, add chocolate chips. To the second part, add coconut. Use the remaining batter plain. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet and bake in 375 degree oven or 10-12 minutes. Makes 4 1/2 dozen, 1 1/2 dozen of each kind.
Pat in Colorado

Raisin Bran Nut Cookies
1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 c. oil
2 tbsp. water
2 egg whites, slightly beaten
1 tbsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 c. Post Raisin Bran
1/4 c. chopped walnuts

Mix sugar, oil, water, egg whites, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Stir in flour and cereal. Mix in walnuts. Drop rounded teaspoons onto lightly greased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until browned. Makes 4 dozen
Pat in Colorado

Back in the early 1970's I had a recipe for a slice and bake (refrigerator) cookie made with Raw Spanish peanuts and oatmeal. The recipe disappeared (I believe stolen by a guest). I have searched for years to no avail. Is there anyone out there who may still have a copy??

I would dearly love to make them again.
Pat in Colorado

I am looking for a recipe for Pastor pork tacos. I enjoyed this at a Mexican restaurant in Milwaukee and would like to make them at home. Thanks for your help. Linda A

Harriet/AZ please post recipe for Albondigas. Thanks!
Ann in AR

Hello Nancy....certainly do appreciate all your time and efforts on this internet spot. I love the recipes.

Recently I was at a luncheon at a ladies home. She served a roll/biscuit that smelled and tasted of some yeast but looked like a baking powder biscuit to some degree. It was a delicious roll and I'd like the recipe for this. She said it was a secret recipe and promised someone she would not give it out. Would any of the wonderful cooks on this site have a recipe that would fit this description. I only want TNT recipes.
I'd like a recipe that someone bakes and serves on a regular basis. Thanks.
Bette~Indiana

Hi, I would like an easy recipe for blackberry pie, as our black berries are getting ripe now.
Thank you, G. WV

CLICK HERE to respond to newsletter replies, requests and tips. Please include date of newsletter, name of recipe and number of servings.  Remember to include your name within the message as well.

I would like to thank the gracious ladies (two that didn't give their names and Carolyn in Los Banos, CA) who sent the recipes for the Coconut Syrup I requested. I will certainly be trying these in hopes of having pancakes like I had in Hawaii so many years ago. I will also try th syrup out with two of my young grandsons that are with me every other Saturday, one that will hardly eat anything that isn't cheese pizza or chicken strips and the other that will eat almost anything except rice and squash. The older one won't even try other foods. Sometimes I wonder what keeps him going. He is going to have such a hard time with his lunches this year when he starts to school and has to eat at school.
Oma in LA (Lower Alabama)

Nancy, this is for db who's hubby is in a cake baking contest.
When baking anything with nuts in it, I roast the nuts in a shallow pan before chopping and adding to the batter. I would use the same oven temp. As for the baked goods and just watch the nuts; they can turn brown quickly. It really brings out the natural flavor. (I let them cool down before adding to the batter.) I recently made Fresh Strawberry Bread and used the roasted nuts that I thought were almost too brown. The lady said it was to die for. Glad to be a part of this great website.
Jan from Utica, PA

Good evening Ladies and Gentleman. Nancy, I want to thank you for the wonderful job you do with the newsletter. We truly

Appreciate your hard and dedicated work. I wanted to send in this recipe for D.B. I have won a few competitions with this recipe. It is not for the weak of heart. It is awesome.
Gloria W. from San Antonio, Texas

Buttermilk Carrot Cake
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 medium carrots, shredded (2 cups)
1/4 cup buttermilk or sour milk
1/4 cup cooking oil
1 8-1/4-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup chopped pecans
3 eggs
1/2 cup coconut
1 teaspoon vanilla

Sauce:
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup buttermilk or sour milk
1/4 cup margarine or butter
2 teaspoons light-colored corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Frosting:
1 8-ounce package cream cheese
1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla
4-1/2 to 4-3/4 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/2 cup ground roasted pecans

Grease and lightly flour two 9x1-1/2-inch round baking pans (or one 13x9x2-inch baking pan); set aside. In a large mixing bowl combine flour, the 2 cups sugar, the baking soda, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Add shredded carrot, the 1/4 cup buttermilk or sour milk, cooking oil, pineapple, nuts, eggs, coconut, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Stir until combined. Spread batter in prepared pans.

Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until cakes spring back when touched lightly.

Meanwhile, prepare sauce: In a medium saucepan combine the 1/2 sugar, the remaining 1/4 cup buttermilk or sour milk, the 1/4 cup margarine or butter, and the corn syrup. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cook and stir for 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Make small holes on cake. Pour sauce evenly over top of cakes. Cool cakes in pans on wire racks for 15 minutes. Remove layer cakes from pans and place on wire racks (do not remove cake from 13x9x2-inch pan). Cool completely.

In a large mixing bowl beat cream cheese, the 1/2 cup margarine or butter, and the 2 teaspoons vanilla with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until light and fluffy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, beating to spreading consistency. Frost cake. Sprinkle ground roasted pecan over frosting. Store in the refrigerator. Makes 16 servings.

Notes:
Make-Ahead Tip: Cover and chill frosted cake up to 48 hours.

Good morning Nancy,
Here is a great T & T cake for DB whose hubby is entering a cake making contest. A very good friend gave me this recipe and it is great, especially for summer! It is very eyecatching and light.

Earthquake Cake T & T
CRUST:
1 c. water
1 stick butter
1 c. flour
4 eggs

FILLING:
2 (3.4 oz.) pkgs. instant vanila pudding
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
3 c. milk
1 (9 oz.) Cool Whip
Chocolate syrup

Boil together 1 cup water and 1 stick butter. Add 1 cup flour, stir together and let sit for 2 minutes. Stir in 4 eggs, one at a time, spread into greased 9"x13" pan. Bake at 400 degrees F. for 20-25 minutes. Cool. Beat cream cheese. Add vanilla pudding and milk a little at a time. Pour onto crust. Cover with Cool Whip. Drizzle with chocolate syrup and swirl to create a design. Add sliced almonds on top Refrigerate until chilled. Serves 12 to 16
Take care! Chris in NM

I am a newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic and am having trouble understanding the concept of what to eat and what not to eat.. Is there any tips and/or recipes anyone could share with me.
thanks, Debbie, Indiana

To Nana in Kansas
Place the skirt in a sink that has been filled with warm water and some powdered dish washing soap like for a machine mix till all is de solved and then place the skirt in and soak for a few hours. This works real good. I don't even have a dishwasher but I have a box of the soap just for this. All so it does not have to be a name brand I bought the store brand
Caroline in MO

Tona in Bama gave us a caramel whipped cream recipe recipe in the July 20th newsletter. I wonder what types of desserts would you use this on?
Margo/Boston

I'd like to share my Apple Salad

Apple Salad
2 Apples, any kind
1/2 cup raisins
2 tbps finely chopped celery
1 cup miniture marshmallows

Dressing
1/2 C (Real) Mayo
1/4 C milk
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp sugar (I use Splenda now)
Combine and chill before serving.

Also, would like to know if anyone has a brew to keep squirrels out of the bird feeders. I've tried the Murphy's Oil, Hot sauce and ceyanne pepper and it does not work.
Barb H. Il.

Ronaldo's Beef Carnitas
I use this recipe all the time. It is the best! The meat just falls apart, and it's delicious served in flour tortillas with guacamole and salsa. This also
freezes well. Makes 6 servings. From www.allrecipes.com, submitted by Miss Annie

4 lb. chuck roast
1 4-oz can green chile peppers, chopped
2 tb. chili powder
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
2 cloves garlic, minced
salt to taste

Preheat oven to 300°. Place roast on heavy foil large enough to enclose the meat. In a small bowl, combine the green chile peppers, chili powder, oregano, cumin, ga4rlic and salt to taste. Mix well and rub over the meat. Totally wrap the meat in the foil and place in a roasting pan. Bake at 300° for 3 1/2-4 hrs., or
until the roast just falls apart with a fork. Remove from oven and shred using two forks.

Mexican Skillet Pork Carnitas
Southwest Guacamole (Recipe below)
4 Poblano Chiles *
1 md Onion, Cut in halves
1 lb Pork Loin Roast **
1 Clove Garlic, Finely Chopped
2 tb Vegetable Oil
2 tb Tomato Paste
1 tb Red Wine Vinegar
1/4 ts Salt
1-1/3 c Italian Plum Tomatoes

*** Flour Or Corn Tortillas Dairy Sour Cream


* Chiles should be roasted and peeled ** Roast should be boneless and cut into 2 X 1/4-inch strips. *** Use 1/2 lb of fresh Italian Plum Tomatoes, finely chopped. Prepare Southwest Guacamole; set aside. Cut chiles and onion halves lengthwise into 1/4-inch strips. Cook pork, chiles, onion and garlic in oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until pork is no longer pink, about 12 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, vinegar, salt and tomatoes; cook until hot. Serve with tortillas, Southwest Guacamole and sour cream.

Southwest Guacamole
Yield: 6 Servings

5 ea avocados; ripe, peel & pit
4 ea cloves garlic; finely chopped
1 c tomato; chopped, 1 medium
1/4 c lime juice
1/2 ts salt

Mash avocados in a medium bowl until slightly lumpy. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour. Makes 3 cups of dip.

A FYI: If I remember correctly, recipes were requested & submitted for the children's Easy Bake oven.

This is an important warning I received regarding those ovens--titled "Burns, Amputation Lead to Easy-Bake Recall:
Carol/SoCal

Crockpot Tamale Pie
3/4 cup yellow cornmeal  (I use white.. I don't like yellow meal)
1 cup milk
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 lb. extra lean ground beef
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. seasoned salt
1 (14-15 oz.) can chunky tomato salsa
1 (16-oz.) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (2.25 oz. drained weight) can sliced ripe olives, drained
1 cup (4-oz.) shredded Cheddar cheese

In large bowl, mix cornmeal, milk and egg. Stir in meat, chili powder, cumin, salt, salsa, corn and olives. Pour mixture into a slow cooker. Cover and cook on High 3 to 4 hours. Sprinkle cheese over top; cover and cook until melted.
Tona in Bama

Crockpot Smothered Steak
1 1/2 lb. lean chuck or round steak, cut in strips
1/3 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 lg. onion, sliced
1 (1 lb.) can tomatoes
1 (4 oz.) can sliced mushrooms
1 tbsp. molasses (optional)
3 tbsp. soy sauce
1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen green beans

Toss steak strips with flour, salt and pepper; place in crockpot. Add onion, tomatoes, mushrooms, molasses, and soy sauce. Cover and cook for 8 to 10 hours on low. Add green beans 30 to 45 minutes before serving. Good served with rice.
Serves 4 to 6.
Tona in Bama

Hello Nancy. I've never had such a problem as I've had this year with little black ants. Last evening my son-in-law went to Home Depot and bought a product, that they had a lot of success with, called Amdro Ant Block. It's granules that you sprinkle around the foundation of your house. It works great! Yesterday they were everywhere and today I haven't seen even one. The label says it kills 15 different kinds of ants. According to the label, the ants carry the granules back to the nest for food and it eventually wipes out the whole colony. I normally don't like using chemicals, if I can get something else to work, but in my case nothing else was working.
Evelyn in Tennessee