Recipes

Cooking Without Photos – Spicy Orange Pecan Muffins

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This week we travel all the way to the west coast and Santa Ana, California. Santa Ana first started out as a parcel of land that was given to Jose Antonio Yorba. The land changed hands a few times. In 1869, William H. Spurgeon purchased the land and founded Santa Ana.

In 1871, Santa Ana’s First Baptist Church was built. During a time when the country was still in uproar, the First Baptist Church began building a community of hope. Governed by California’s own set of Jim Crow laws, folks weren’t allowed to worship together and were made to stay seperated whites and blacks.

By 1923, members of First Baptist worked with members of Santa Ana’s black community to found the Second Baptist church. Today, the Second Baptist Church is the oldest black church in Orange County

Church Historian Milana Oyunga described:

“They helped them get started with the down payment of $150, a Bible, and the first pew, which we still have on our premises. … With that initial help they had given us, they have been a friend and support to us all these years, that culminated to today.”

During the Jim Crow era, First and Second Baptist often collaborated, fundraised together, and welcomed each other’s congregations.

With attendance declining in its later years, First Baptist found refuge in the home it helped found for others, spending its last three years of operation worshiping at Second Baptist. After 148 years of serving the community, First Baptist ceased operations in 2019.

When I discovered, “Cook Book” from First Baptist Church of Santa Ana, I knew it was special. Written in 1974, this book had been around the block a few times The cover was coming off, there were notes written throughout, and pages were stained with wear. It didn’t disappoint.

Flipping thru, I found the recipe for Spiced Orange Pecan Muffins. I picked this recipe even before I found out that Santa Ana was in Orange County. It was obviously meant to be.

Couple of things:

  1. Actually just one…to me, there is enough sugar in the muffin because there is so much sweet in the topping. You may decide you like a bit more sugar in yours.

That’s really all I would change. They bake up pretty. My crew liked them and went back for more.

Cooking Without Photos – Banana Cake

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Cooking Without Photos – Banana Cake

This week we arrive right back home to Arkansas. When I found, “The Best Of Times Ouachita Council: 70 Years of Girl Scouting 1927-1997 Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow”, I knew it was going to be great! I wasn’t wrong.

In the first few pages, it covers the history of the Ouachita Council which began in 1927 with two troops in the Little Rock area. In 1936, the first Girl Scout Cookie sale occurred. The cookies were made by the Little Rock Bakery and sold for .20 cents a box.

In 1937, Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt visited Hot Springs and attended the dedication of Perry County’s very own, Camp Ouachita Girl Scout Camp. The camp was built by the CCC while the WPA worked tirelessly to create Lake Sylvia Recreation Area.

1937 was also the very first year that Camp Ouachita opened. It ran for 5 weeks that year and served 100 girls from 16 towns. Over the years, it has changed hands a few times and was almost lost all together from disrepair and neglect.

Luckily, in the 1990’s, efforts began to save Camp Ouachita. Today, guests can stay in the renovated cabins and attend events at Ogden Hall. There is still a lot of work to be done at the camp to preserve it for future use, but with care and keeping, Camp Ouachita will be around many more generations, as it remains the only standing Girl Scout camp build by the CCC that is still in use today.

Onto the recipe! There are tons of great recipes in this cookbook! It was hard picking one, but I knew I had some bananas that needed to be used to I chose Banana Cake.

Couple of things:

  1. It took longer in my oven to cook the cakes. May just keep a watch on them. Everybody’s oven is different.
  2. For the frosting it says to melt the butter. That went against all things I’ve ever learned about frosting. I didn’t do that.
  3. This brings me to my next point. Maybe it was because I didn’t melt the butter, but this was a little too thick. When I make it again, I’ll either melt the butter, like it says, or use less powdered sugar.

Great flavor! It was a win at my house!

Cooking Without Photos – Pinto Bean Fudge

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This week’s recipe comes all the way from Phoenix, Arizona.

Phoenix was first inhabited by the Hohokam people. They lived in and around the area for about 2000 years. They created over 130 miles of irrigation canals. In doing this, it made the desert land arable and they had less problems growing crops. The Arizona Canal, Central Arizona Project Canal and the Hayden- Rhodes Aqueduct all used the path of these canals when building their own projects.

It is believed that drought and severe flooding made the Hohokam people abandon the area. Several tribe settlements and the Mexican American War later, the Phoenix area was settled by a prospector named Jack Swilling.

In 1867, Mr. Swilling was riding thru the area and decided it had great potential for farmland. Swilling noticed the previous canal system that had been left behind by indigenous peoples, dug a new canal that brought in water from the Salt River, and created the Swilling Irrigation and Canal Company.

Other settlers soon arrived and it was suggested by one of them that the city be named Phoenix. This suggestion was made because the city was rising out of the ruins of a former civilization.

The railroad arrived in the 1880’s and with it Phoenix became a hub of activity and trading. The territorial capital moved to Phoenix in 1889 and Arizona received their statehood in 1912.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Onto the recipe!

The MINUTE I saw Pinto Bean Fudge, I knew I had to try it. Have you ever had a Pinto Bean Pie? I have and it tasted just like Pecan Pie. No lie!

Anyway, I didn’t get far into Arizona Cookbook before I saw the recipe for Pinto Bean Fudge.

From what I could gather, folks started using beans in sweet treats around the time of the Great Depression. Times were hard and this is an excellent way to stretch ingredients.

This recipe is super easy! Let’s get into it!

Couple of things:

  1. I couldn’t find “Rose” brand beans. I know of Rosarita beans. I googled “Rose” beans and it said that it refers to another brand of beans. I figured a bean was a bean, so I used Walmart brand. I also rinsed them. It just made sense.
  2. It doesn’t tell you to mash up your beans. I did because I thought it needed to be done that way.
  3. “Canned” milk = evaporated milk.
  4. You don’t have to cut up marshmallows if you use mini marshmallows.
  5. Double this recipe unless you have something else to use the 1/2 can of milk and 1/2 can of beans for later in the week.
  6. No mention of what size pan to put the mixture in, so I used an 8×8. Worked fine.

Take this to a family gathering! Everyone will love it and no one will ever know it has beans in it!

Cooking Without Photos – Spritz Cookies

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Burrrrr! This week we are traveling to Petersburg, Alaska aka Little Norway. It’s always amazing to me when I find community cookbooks in Arkansas that are from other states. I just stare at them and ask, “Well, how did you get here? I bet you have an awesome story to tell.”

I digress…Alaska. Located just off the coast of British Columbia, Canada, Petersburg, Alaska was first home to the Tlingit indigenous peoples for over 2000 years. A Norwegian pioneer named Peter Buschmann arrived in 1897. He immediately recognized the potential in fishing opportunities and worked right along side the Tlingit peoples to cultivate a lasting relationship even felt today.

Utilizing natural refrigeration with the LeConte Glacier, fishing boats could stay out longer and it was quickly decided that a cannery was needed. A sawmill and a dock soon followed and the birth of a thriving fishing community was born.

Around 1911 it was decided that lodge for Sons Of Norway needed to be built. Using volunteer labor, one of the largest structures in Petersburg was built and still stands today.

The Sons Of Norway hall was the social center for years. Along with lodge meetings, there were dances, conventions, card parties, and basketball games. In the spring, a farewell party was held for the fisherman before the start of fishing season.

Today, the Lodge stands as a monument to those immigrants who settled in Petersburg and began a new life.

This week’s recipe comes from the cookbook “Sons Of Norway Fedrelandet Lodge 23 Petersburg, Alaska”. Written in 1985, it celebrates the 75th anniversary of the lodge.

When I started deciding on a recipe, I found out quickly that I need to expand my pantry and add some cardamom. Lots of recipes in this book call for cardamom. I don’t believe I’ve ever had that before.

I figured I couldn’t go wrong with a sweet treat. I stopped at spritz cookies. I saw that it called for a “cooky” press. I had one of those! Have you ever gotten mad at cookie dough? Today was that day for me.

Couple of things:

  1. Cooky presses are the devil. There was probably a reason I never saw my mom use one. I love all things kitchen, but I may start drawing the line at cooky press.
  2. Maybe I need to try a different recipe for the cooky press.
  3. Maybe I need to try an up to date version of a cooky press.
  4. Anyway!
  5. Not a hard recipe to put together. My cookies just would not press. I got so sick of it, I rolled the last of the dough into balls and said that’s ENOUGH!
  6. I didn’t sift my flour. If you sift your flour, they are supposed to be smoother.
  7. Will I make them again, probably not. Am I getting rid of my cooky press…also probably not😆

I hope you like them. They have great flavor and could hold up to use for a dip. Pour a glass of milk, have a snack and try not to think about throwing your cooky press in the trash.

Cooking Without Photos – Peanut Butter Bread

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Wahoo! It’s a new year and I’ve got goals!

After a break from sharing recipes, I’m back with my regularly scheduled program. I’ve been collecting community cookbooks from all over the place with one goal in mind. This year, I’ll be sharing recipes from all 50 states!

I’ll be starting off at the top of the list with Alabama! Alabama is one of our very fave places to visit❤️

When I found this first cookbook, “Trinity’s Potpourri 1979”, I knew I had to have it for a couple of reasons.

1. It already had my name on it.

2. It was written in the best year ever!

3. “Potpourri” will for sure describe this year’s recipe sharing. A little bit of everything from coast to coast.

So let’s begin again!

The cookbook I chose this time is from the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.

In 1811, Huntsville became the first incorporated town in Alabama. When Alabama became a state in 1819, Huntsville was the capital for one year until it was decided that the capital needed to be in a more centralized location.

In the beginning, cotton was very successful and was traded locally and internationally. In 1855 the railroad was established. The railroad helped keep the cotton industry growing. During the 1930s, the cotton industry started failing and focus was switched to growing watercress.

In 1940, the Army selected 35,000 acres and began building the Huntsville Arsenal. With the building of the Arsenal, Huntsville’s population began to rise and contractors could not keep up with the housing demand.

From the 1960’s up until today, NASA plays a huge roll in keeping the city populated. I’m fact, Huntsville is the most populated city in Alabama.

On to the recipe!

While flipping through “Trinity’s Potpourri”, I came across a recipe for Peanut Butter Bread. I’ve actually made this before (not this recipe) and knew I had to do it again.

Couple things:

1. This recipe said it made a regular pan and a small pan. It still took forever for the bigger one to cook. When I make this again, I’ll make two mini pans and the larger pan. I think that would be perfect!

2. It doesn’t say how long to cook the smaller pan. I’d check it at 35 minutes.

3. It also didn’t say anything about greasing the pan. I did.

Very tasty! Grab yourself a glass of milk and have a treat!

Cooking Without Photos – Hawaiian Drop Cookies

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After a short break, I’m back with more recipes and stories to share!

This recipe comes straight from Ola, AR. Back in the day, Ola was first called Red Lick and then Petit Jean. They changed their name to Ola in 1880.

Settlers began arriving around 1840 from all over. Land was cheap and attracted folks from as far away as the Carolinas, Alabama and Tennessee.

The railroad arrived in 1899 and with it came more opportunities for growth. More businesses opened and folks were thriving.

Disaster struck in 1930 when a tornado ripped thru town and again in 1934 when a fire destroyed several businesses.

Over the years and like many small towns, Ola has experience economic turmoil. Today, Ola has a population of about 1,000. A few businesses remain, but mostly Ola is a small town with a big heart.

While flipping thru, “Seasoned With Love: Ola Band Boosters” I was reminded that Ola School District no longer exists. In 2004, Ola School district merged with several other small districts and Two Rivers School District was born. Living history, as they say.

Ola (Yell County)

On to the recipe!

I picked out Hawaiian Drop Cookies to make. Sounded pretty easy for this rainy afternoon.

Couple Things:

  1. I used a cookie dough scoop. The scoop made it way easier.
  2. I cooked these for 12 minutes and let them sit for a couple of minutes after they came out of the oven.

That’s really it. These are a not so sweet, fluffy cookie but very tasty and perfect with a glass of milk. Yessssss!

Cooking Without Photos – Mexicali Rice

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Our next stop is in Perryville, Arkansas. Home of the Mustangs. Where folks bleed maroon and gray. And if you’re around in October, the whole town explodes with goats dressed as people and people dressed as goats for the Arkansas Goat Festival. It’s really a site to see.

Perryville began to see a larger population of settlers around 1830, but the first settlers arrived in 1808. In December of 1840, Perry County was named the 44th county of Arkansas and was named in honor of Commodore Oliver H. Perry of the US Navy.

One of the most interesting facts about Perryville, is that the courthouse has burned FIVE TIMES. For this reason, records only go back to 1881. The last time the courthouse was built, it was made from locally fired bricks. The courthouse still stands today and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

It wasn’t until 1901 that the first bridge was built to cross the Fourche River. In 1939 the bridge was replaced and over 3,000 people came to the dedication.

Today, Perryville still doesn’t have a stop light and folks like it that way. The sidewalks roll up at dark unless there’s a ballgame happening. Everybody still knows everybody and if you’re from out of town, get ready to be asked who you’re kin to❤️

I’m ending the year with a brand new cookbook. ”Favorite Recipes From Perryville, Arkansas: Compiled By The Perryville Rotary Club” is hot off the presses and packed full of awesome recipes.

Mexicali Rice is something my own Mama used to make when I was growing up. I thought I’d share it in the cookbook so others could love it as much as I do.

Couple of things:

  1. My mom didn’t add beans to hers. She used 2lbs of hamburger instead.
  2. She also put a tiny can of tomato sauce in with the meat. I like it without it.
  3. Add salt. I forgot to put that in the recipe. Oops.

Hope y’all enjoy!

Cooking Without Photos – Lemonade Cake

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Oppelo “The Turn Off”, Arkansas. Did y’all know Oppelo used to be part of Perry County as did Petit Jean Mountain…until county lines were redrawn and Conway County overtook it ALL!!!!

I digress. Oppelo. Oppelo was settled around 1850 when L.B Opolow arrived with his family from Maryland. Upon their arrival, L.B. started up a sawmill and other timber related operations to the area.

The settlement developed around a spring that was named Oppelo Spring. It was a place where folks came for fresh water, the women socialized and individual family clothes lines were kept. Today, Oppelo Spring is on private land and is the source of water for a stock pond.

In 1867 the first post office opened in Oppelo and operated until 1913. At one time, Oppelo had schools, a drug store, general store and more.

Today, Oppelo is a quiet community. They have a beautiful park and walking trail. Maybe stop in next time you’re on your way to Petit Jean…that used to be in Perry County….we aren’t bitter about that.

While flipping thru, “Variety Pack: Favorite Recipes From Oppelo Kitchens” I stumbled across Lemonade Cake. Yum! Let’s get into it!

Couple Things:

  1. I figured out “coil” was oil pretty quick.
  2. Back in the day, they used to make a 6oz can of frozen lemonade. You’re going to have to use half of a 12oz can, kids.

That’s it. It turns out looking really plain, but it is packed with flavor. You won’t regret it.

Cooking Without Photos – Hot Apple Cider

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The Santa Fe Railroad arrived in the area and began asking for right of way permissions. Mr. Maloney told them to move on down the road and ask someone else for permission. His wife then mentioned how nice it would be to be able to ride the train into Fort Worth.

Mr. Maloney had a change of heart. He road his horse to meet with the workers. He told them the could go through. One of the workers asked what he said and was told, “He has let us go through.” It was decided right then that the stop would be named “Haslet”. Boom! The town was named and the railroad gave credit to Charles Maloney. The year was 1886.

On to the recipe!

I didn’t get far in the cookbook, “Heavenly Delights: Haslet United Methodist Women” before I found a recipe I wanted to try out. Hot Apple Cider! Yessss! Not much to say other than y’all need to try this. It’s super easy!

Couple Things:

  1. I doubled the recipe and used a big coffee urn. This was great for a crowd.
  2. I’ve had a sore throat and this helped so much!

That’s it! It’s fab!

Cooking Without Photos – Chunky Ham And Vegetable Soup

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This week I have a borrowed cookbook from my pal. “Sharing Recipes: A Book Of Favorite Recipes Compiled By Nimrod Volunteer Fire Department Women’s Auxiliary”, belonged to her Grandma and now she uses it to make treasured recipes for her own family. I just love that❤️

The Nimrod community began around 1808. Fertile soil and the close proximity of the river helped to attract folks to the area. There are a couple of stories circulating regarding how Nimrod got its name. One of those stories states that Nimrod was a biblical name, chosen from the book of Genesis. Another claim is that Nimrod came from some settlers that were from Nimrod Hill, Tennessee. At any rate, Nimrod was named.

The Civil War ravaged the area and lots of things had to be rebuilt. There were no battles fought in the area, just guerrilla bands that caused trouble and destruction.

Once rebuilding was complete, the lumber industry thrived. Logs were floated down the Fourche river and the Fort Smith Lumber Company became one of the biggest employers in the county.

Production was helped immensely when the Wallace Bridge was completed in 1908. Today the bridge is on the National Historic Register and is one of only 3 surviving camelback truss bridges in our state. If y’all get a chance, make the drive. It’s just really neat and even more so that it’s right in our backyard.

With the decline of the timber industry, the community of Nimrod began to decrease also in population. Today, Nimrod is a small community with a heck of a story to tell. Jesse James is even reported to have made a stop there overnight.

On to the recipe!!

Soup! Yessssss! My fave recipes to try out. This time I was flipping thru and stopped at Chunky Ham And Vegetable Soup. I knew we had to try it out.

Couple things:

  1. Four cups of chicken broth was not enough liquid. I added a cup and a half of water. Just use your judgement.
  2. After it was done, I added salt. I also added some pepper. Don’t stub your toe on the pepper though. Sometimes cabbage is more spicy depending on the season.
  3. I thought…brown sugar…dumb! Y’all, just do it! Gah! How did I not know about this trick?!

Very tasty and such a good “warm me up” soup. Very brothy.