Possum Kingdom Lake in Texas. Ever heard of it? Nope? Me eitherš¤·š»āāļø
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. Itās 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 Iāve beenš
On to the recipe! When I first opened, āCulinary 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:
I didnāt use the optional lemon pepper. We all survived.
Iāve seen similar recipes that called for cayenne pepper. Maybe you want to add that as another option.
Thatās it. Straight and to the point. Very tasty!!
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, Batesvilleās 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, Batesvilleās 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, āThe Staff Of Life Fourth Edition: A Collection Of Recipes From St. Paulās Episcopal Churchā I came across a recipe that I have seen numerous times before. This one was called āDump Soupā, but Iāve seen it called, ā7 Can Soupā and also āQuick Soupā. Each time I saw it Iād 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, letās make soup out of soupš
Couple things:
Please add salt and pepper. It needs it bad!
It didnāt say what size can of tomatoes. I used a 28 Oz can. We just like tomatoes. It worked fine.
This is even better the next day.
Thatās it. Was this the best soup Iāve ever had? No. Was it a quick meal that everyone liked? Yes. Perfect for a weeknight dinner that isnāt a whole lot of hassle. Enjoy!!!
Bringing it back home with this one. This week I chose a recipe out of the cookbook, āBurnt Offerings: Silver Anniversary – Cherry Hill Volunteer Fire Departmentā. I havenāt came across a better name for a cookbook yetš
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 everyoneās 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:
I used 3 cans of beans I can see how an additional can would be a good thing too.
I love how she said to add ā2 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
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 thatās the way they like it.
On to the recipe!
While combing thru, āCooking 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:
Itās hard to find an 8oz can of pineapple anymore. Youāre just gonna have to either double this recipe or eat the rest of a 20 Oz can.
When Willene Massey tells you to put 1 1/2 cups of oil in a bread recipe, do it. She knows what sheās talking about.
The batter is super thick. Itās going to be okay.
It says to cook it for 1 hour and 5 minutes. I didnāt 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 youāre like me, you wonāt believe her either so just keep a watch on it.
Just south of Jackson, Mississippi sits the small city of Brookhaven. Brookhaven was founded in 1818 by a settler named Samuel Jayne. Mr. Jayne named Brookhaven after Brookhaven, New York.
In 1858 the railroad came thru Brookhaven and with it the business from New Orleans and Memphis. Sadly, the Civil War battered Brookhaven and it had to be rebuilt, even the railroad was destroyed.
On to the recipe!!!
While combing thru, āA Taste Of Heaven, Jackson Street United Methodist Churchā, I found a recipe for No Crust Coconut Pie.
I remember having this when I was a kid. I feel like my Grandma used to make these during the holidays. Itās been a long time since Iāve had one though. Yāall, this is great!!! Letās get into it.
Couple things:
This looks like it is going to spill over the top of the pie pan when you get it ready to cook. It didnāt but Iād still put a pan underneath just in case it decides to jump ship.
It didnāt say what kind of flour to use, so I used all purpose. I bet if I used self rising, it would have overflowed. I feel like the flour is mainly for binding.
I cooked this just like the recipe says. 325Ā° for 40 minutes. Nope. Wasnāt near done. I cooked it for another 20 minutes. May just keep an eye on it.
It really does make its own crust! Delicious!!! Takes me back homeā¤ļøā¤ļø
Opening the first page of āCooking Capersā, I knew right away that this book was going to be special. The book was compiled by Girl Scouts Troop 364 Ouachita Council of Little Rock, AR.
I searched and searched but it looks like this Troop is no longer active. I was kinda bummed at this news.
At any rate, hereās some info about how Girl Scouts came about.
Girl Scouts was started by Juliette Gordon Low or as her friends called her, āDaisyā. It began in her hometown of Savannah, Georgia with 18 girls, in 1912. Within 10 years, Girl Scouts had spread across the US and began to expand across our boarders.
During the Great Depression and WWII, the Girl Scouts participated in relief efforts, collected food, ran Farm Aide projects and operated bicycle courier services. Anything they could do to help. They also were publishing helpful booklets on various topics.
The 50ās and 60ās were a time when they were faced with the need to assist in care packages for the Korean War. At the same time, they were faced with the need to push forward towards racial equality and overcome prejudices.
Itās amazing how far the organization has come and they have now surpassed 100 years of service. From one group in Georgia, to troops all over the world. Very cool indeed.
And now the recipe. I chose to use Cucumber Dressing. Letās get into it.
Couple things:
āCoffee Creamā is half and half or sometimes heavy whipping cream. I went with heavy whipping cream because I had some. You do you.
It says to grate and drain the cucumber. I wasnāt sure how to do that so I put it in a cheese cloth. I was curious how much water would come out of it so I squeezed it into a measuring cup. Turns out it was about 1/3 cup. Who knewš³.
It doesnāt say how long to refrigerate. Iāll tell you this. I tried a little taste right after I made it and it was okay. Then I tried it again the next day and it was fab!!! So, refrigerate the dressing for at least 12 hours.
Booneville!! Home of the Classic Cruise In, celebrated each month on the 3rd Saturday from March – November. Downtown Booneville is the place to be for classic car buffs.
I digress. Booneville, Arkansas has two stories of how they got their name. One story is that it was named by founder Walter Cauthron after his friend Captain Benjamin Bonneville. Captain Bonneville was an Army officer in Fort Smith. Over the years, the spelling was changed and it became Booneville.
Another story is that it was named after the folk hero, Daniel Boone. Boone was supposed to have been kinned to early residents of Logan County. At any rate, the town was founded around 1830.
After the Civil war reeked havoc on the area and divided households, reconstruction began and a new county was formed. Sarber County was formed in 1871 from parts of Franklin, Johnson, Scott and Yell counties. Then, Sarber County was renamed Logan county in 1875. In 1878, Booneville had a cotton gin, blacksmith shop, drug store and general stores and became an incorporated town.
In 1901, the county was divided into northern and southern judicial districts. To this day, Logan County has two county seats, being Booneville and Paris. The county is also half wet and half dry for alcohol sales.
In 1909 the Arkansas State Tuberculosis Sanitarium opened. The hospital was vital for two reasons. Firstly, it helped treat the tuberculosis outbreak and secondly, it created much needed revenue for Logan County. The hospital closed in the 1970s and is now a popular place for ghost hunters.
Booneville also has had their fair share of businesses in the area. The Ace Comb Company, Wolverine Toy Company and Del Pero Monden (meat company) have all called Booneville home over the years.
We recently made a trip to Fort Smith to visit the newly opened US Marshals Museum. Itās fabulous, by the way. We decided to do some thrifting afterwards and thatās where I found the book, āRecipes And Remembrances: First Baptist Church Booneville, Arkansasā. You know I had to get it.
I opened up the cover and someone had taken page 159 and moved into a place of honor at the beginning of the three ring binder collection of recipes. Obviously, this was the one I needed to try.
Yāall, Karenās Pecan Crunch is fabulous!! Letās get into it!
Not pictured: Vanillaā¦oops
Couple of things:
If you buy a family size box of Oatmeal Squares ( 21 oz.), youāll end up with exactly the 8 cups youāll need.
I used butter. You do you.
Thatās it! Itās so easy and youāll eat it like popcorn Thank you, Judy Moore! Youāve just added a sweet treat to my holiday cooking listā¤ļø
This week we travel to Lenexa, Kansas. Iāve never actually heard of Lenexa, KS before. Apparently, itās a fairly large city. Back in the day though, Lenexa was part of the frontier.
One of the very first settlers of Lenexa was James Butler Hickok. Mr. Hickok staked claim to 160 acres of what is now 83rd and Clare Road in Lenexa.
Not long after his arrival, Hickok was elected one of the first four constables of neighboring Monticello Township. He later became a scout for the Free State Army, a sharpshooter and later one of the most famous folk heroes of the American West, Wild Bill Hickok.
Wild Bill was a known lawman, gunslinger and gambler. Storyteller was also one of his many talents and his favorite subject was himself. Wild Bill loved to tell hugely fabricated stories about himself and this is one reason he will go down in history as a folk legend.
While flipping thru, āMasterpieces From Our Kitchenā I stopped at Baked Artichoke Appetizer. Yāall, this is so stinkinā easy. If you need a quick dish to take somewhere or company is on the way, this is it. Itās fast and tasty. Letās get into it.
Couple things:
That cayenne pepper, it makes me cough. The recipe said ādashā. I put a dash. Thatās. It. I tried it and my lips started to tingle. I took it to a family function and no one could tell there was even any cayenne in it.š. You do you. You want more, go for it!
I paired this with some assorted crackers. I think it would be great with some triscuits or pita crackers as well.
I put about a 1/2 cup more Parmesan than it called for. Sue meš¤·š»āāļø
This one is going to be short and sweetā¦sort of like the ingredients list for this recipeš
Iāve already used a cookbook from Dardanelle. Sue meš. I mainly picked this one up because it was done by the Cub Scouts. Community cookbooks are such a good way to raise money for different organizations.
Since Lake Dardanelle State Park is partially in Dardanelle, Iāll talk about that a little. Lake Dardanelle was created in 1965 after the Dardanelle Dam was completed in 1964 by the Corp of Engineers. In 1966, the lake was officially recognized as a State Park.
Today, Lake Dardanelle attracts bass fisherman from around the world. They offer camping, pavillions, picnic sites and a fabulous visitor center.
On to the recipe! While reading, āCub Scouts Pack 69: Dardanelle, Arkansasā I came across Cowboy Cookies. Gah! These take me back to my high school days!
Letās get to it! Nothing hard about this recipe. Straight and to the point. You boil a couple of things and stir in the other ingredients. Badda Bing, Badda Boom! Cookiesā¤ļøā¤ļø
The Plot Twisted 