Cooking Without Photos – Ranch Oyster Crackers

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Possum Kingdom Lake in Texas. Ever heard of it? Nope? Me eitheršŸ¤·šŸ»ā€ā™€ļø

Possum Kingdom Lake began with building a dam that cost $8.3 million dollars in 1941. Possum Kingdom Lake was created to help with flood control, irrigation, power generation and recreational purposes.

Possum Kingdom State Park was established in 1950. Fishing is hugely popular on the lake. Itā€™s also a popular destination for cliff diving, skiing, scuba diving and tubing. Tons of things to do around the lake. I want do go, just so I can say that Iā€™ve beenšŸ˜†

On to the recipe! When I first opened, ā€œCulinary Treasures From Possum Kingdom Lakeā€ I was half expecting recipes that had possums as the main ingredient. The disappointmentsā€¦I had them. Then I saw a recipe for Ranch Oyster Crackers. Yes please!!!

Couple of things:

  1. I didnā€™t use the optional lemon pepper. We all survived.
  2. Iā€™ve seen similar recipes that called for cayenne pepper. Maybe you want to add that as another option.

Thatā€™s it. Straight and to the point. Very tasty!!

Cooking Without Photos – Dump Soup

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This week we make a stop in Batesville, AR, the oldest city in Arkansas. Batesville was named after James Woodson Bates who was the first Territorial Delegate to Congress.

Settlers first began arriving in 1810. In 1822, Batesvilleā€™s first Post Office was established. Serving as a port on the White River, Batesville played a huge part to help populate the Ozark Mountain Region and their town also began to grow and prosper. Traders of all kinds would swap their goods in town and with the river right there, it was a perfect spot for everyone to meet.

As the years passed, Batesvilleā€™s roots grew even deeper and their history lives on today. If you ever get the chance to visit, make sure you drive around a bit. Such beautiful structures and homes that have survived the test of time.

While flipping thru, ā€œThe Staff Of Life Fourth Edition: A Collection Of Recipes From St. Paulā€™s Episcopal Churchā€ I came across a recipe that I have seen numerous times before. This one was called ā€œDump Soupā€, but Iā€™ve seen it called, ā€7 Can Soupā€ and also ā€œQuick Soupā€. Each time I saw it Iā€™d thinkā€¦that sounds terrible. Variations include adding cans of Veg-All or additional cans of beans, but always having the minestrone soup as a base. At any rate, letā€™s make soup out of soupšŸ˜†

Couple things:

  1. Please add salt and pepper. It needs it bad!
  2. It didnā€™t say what size can of tomatoes. I used a 28 Oz can. We just like tomatoes. It worked fine.
  3. This is even better the next day.

Thatā€™s it. Was this the best soup Iā€™ve ever had? No. Was it a quick meal that everyone liked? Yes. Perfect for a weeknight dinner that isnā€™t a whole lot of hassle. Enjoy!!!

Cooking Without Photos – Famous Baked Beans

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Bringing it back home with this one. This week I chose a recipe out of the cookbook, ā€œBurnt Offerings: Silver Anniversary – Cherry Hill Volunteer Fire Departmentā€. I havenā€™t came across a better name for a cookbook yetšŸ˜†

While looking thru this book and recognizing the majority of the names, there were lots of folks that have passed away. Their recipes will continue to live on.

I stopped in my tracks at Famous Baked Beans from my pal Shirley Caudell. Shirley was one of a kind with a heart of pure gold. She was everyoneā€™s friend and always had such a positive outlook. We all miss her like crazy. By sharing her recipe, I hope to bring comfort on this day especially.

Couple of things:

  1. I used 3 cans of beans I can see how an additional can would be a good thing too.
  2. I love how she said to add ā€œ2 squirtsā€ of mustard. Spoken like a true southern cook.

These were fabulous! Quick and easy too. Thanks Shirl! Give Tonia a hug from meā¤ļø

Cooking Without Photos – Hawaiian Banana Nut Bread

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Strawberry, Arkansas! Population 268ā¤ļø

Strawberry is one of the oldest settlements in Arkansas. Untouched by the railroad and unaffected by the Civil War, Strawberry began as a small community in the early 1840s and remains a quaint community today.

John Cathey settled in the area along with his son and they called it Cathey Town for a short time. Then, in 1854 John applied for a post office and renamed it Strawberry Point. Later it was shortened to Strawberry.

Time passed and blacksmith shops have turned into fishing businesses. Their population has remained low and thatā€™s the way they like it.

On to the recipe!

While combing thru, ā€œCooking With Friends: Strawberry Volunteer Fire Departmentā€, I stopped on a recipe for Hawaiian Banana Nut Bread and boy am I glad I did!!

Couple things:

  1. Itā€™s hard to find an 8oz can of pineapple anymore. Youā€™re just gonna have to either double this recipe or eat the rest of a 20 Oz can.
  2. When Willene Massey tells you to put 1 1/2 cups of oil in a bread recipe, do it. She knows what sheā€™s talking about.
  3. The batter is super thick. Itā€™s going to be okay.
  4. It says to cook it for 1 hour and 5 minutes. I didnā€™t believe Willene so I put mine on for 50 minutes. Turns out that you need to cook it for 1 hour and 5 minutes. If youā€™re like me, you wonā€™t believe her either so just keep a watch on it.

Thatā€™s it. Itā€™s fabulous!!