blue ribbon chocolate cake

this recipe is from my mom. she used to call it poor mans' chocolate cake until she won a blue ribbon for it at the altamont fair in new york. the cake will get better with each passing day, just cover it with aluminum foil or saran wrap. it's called poormans' cake because you don't need many ingredients...

mix the dry contents together well and then add the liquids. beat well and cook at 350* until toothpick comes out clean.

3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
6 tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons baking soda

1 cup oil
2 cups water
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 tablespoons vinegar

stove top chocolate oatmeal cookies

these are wonderful cookies that you can make on top of the stove. they are fun to make with children, just make sure they know the cookies are going to be really hot until they cool down. there is no better concoction of chocolate and oatmeal on the internet...

in a large stew pot bring the first four ingredients to a full boil for exactly two minutes, this allows the sugar to carmelize. after two minutes mix in the vanilla and oatmeal. drop cookie-sized pieces onto a cookie sheet and let them cool. be careful and not eat too many at a time...

1 stick oleo melted
2 cups white sugar
¼ packed cocoa
1/2 cup milk

~~boil for 2 minutes~~
1 teaspoon vanilla
~3 cups oatmeal

nona's panacakes

nona's panacakes are the best way to start the day. basically a simple fried bread, these are easy to make and will satiate the hunger of at least 12 grandchilren at a time...and you know who you are.

start with 4 pounds of flour in a humongous bowl, add 2 cups of lukewarm water and start to mix by hand. with another cup of water empty a package of flieshman's quick rising yeast and let sit for several miuntes to activate the yeast. add a small handful of salt (about a tablespoon) along with a tablespoon of sugar.

mix in the cup of water and yeast. add more water if needed. you should have the right consistancy of dough for kneeding with 4 pounds flour and 3-4 cups total water. pull the mixture out of the mixing bowl and kneed the dough like you would ordinary homemade bread. 10-15 minutes should be enough. use a little flour on the kneeding surface to help keep the dough from sticking...

put the dough back into the mixing bow and cover with a sheet of wax paper and several towels to keep in the warmth and help it rise. you will need to let the dough rise overnight.

in the morning put about 1" oil in a frying pan and heat to about 325*-350*. drop small pieces of hand-stretched and flattened dough (2"x4"-the shape of turkey...the country) into the hot oil and let them cook until golden/light brown. once they are ready place them on a large dish with paper towels. when ready place them on a platter and spinkle with regular sugar. the panacakes should be served hot with any kind of syrup, lots of cold milk, and plenty of napkins to clean your fingers as you eat them by hand.

nona's meatballs

here is another recipe from nona. this will make about 36 meatballs. mix the meat, milk, spices, bread crumbs and eggs first. in a separate bowl mix ~10 oz. bread crumbs and ½ cup parmisiano cheese. roll out the meatballs into 1½" - 2" balls, cover them with the breadcrumbs and cheese mix (or roll them in the bowl where you mixed it) and fry in oil till done. they are now ready to be mixed or added to any dish or sandwich requiring them.

3 lbs. hamburger
2 cups milk (maybe a little less)
shakes of garlic, parsely, salt and pepper
1 lb. bread crumps
3-4 eggs

~~separate bowl~~
10 oz. breadcrumbs
½ cup parmisiano cheese

beer bread

a simple recipe for beerbread. put into well greased loaf pan. 35 minutes at 350* till golden brown. slather top with butter for crisp crust. trun out immediately on cooling rack. i got this recipe from either my brother chris or nona, i can't remember.

1 can beer
2 tablespoons sugar
3 cups flour (self-rising)

easy poundcake

here is a recipe from my mom for an easy pound cake that always comes out good. put all ingredients in a mixer bowl. blend at low speed, then medium speed. into the oven at 350*?? until done.

2¼ cup unsifted unbleached flour
2 cups sugar
½ teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup margerine, softened
1 cup sour cream
3 large eggs

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