Here are some delicious family recipes that have lasted through the years and proven to be so simple even I can’t ruin them. I thought you, readers, might enjoy sampling some of our favorites in my very first International Zich Family Holiday Party.
Sausage Balls1 lb hot bulk sausage
1 lb sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup Bisquick mix
Combine all three ingredients until they are mixed evenly and can be formed into thumb-sized balls. (Take your rings off first, or else you will get sausage “goo” underneath them.)
For early preparation, line a cookie sheet with the sausage balls and put in freezer until solid enough to store in a freezer bag.
Take out as many as you need, bake at 375 degrees on a cookie sheet for 15-plus minutes until done.
These are great to have in the freezer for unexpected guests, and can also be served at breakfast.
Russian Tea Mix1 cup instant tea mix
2 cups Tang
½ cup pre-sweetened lemonade mix
1 to 2 cups sugar, to suit your taste
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons ground cloves
Mix all ingredients well and store in airtight container. 3 to 4 teaspoons per cup of boiling water makes for a nice cup of tea. Garnish with lemon, if desired.
Best Hot Fudge Sauce EverThis recipe is so easy and so good that I keep coming back to it time and time again.
The last time I made it, I sampled it too early and burned my tongue!
1 cup chocolate-flavored Nesquik
¼ cup milk
¼ cup corn syrup
3 tablespoons butter
Bring Nesquik, milk and sugar to a full boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in butter. Enjoy!
Anna’s Famous Pocatello Potatoes8 to 10 boiled, peeled potatoes, sliced into large chunks
1½ sticks butter
1 small jar pimientos, drained
½ cup chopped onions
1 lb Velveeta cheese (or less, depending on taste)
Add onion salt, pepper, garlic salt, parsley to taste
2 slices of bread, toasted and cubed, if desired
Place potatoes in 9- by 13-inch dish coated with nonstick spray. Sautee butter, onions and pimientos. Dice cheese and put it over potatoes in dish. Pour sautéed mixture over potatoes and cheese. Mix seasonings and sprinkle over. May add toasted bread cubes now. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbly.
This is a great recipe to prepare ahead of time, refrigerate and bake later. Serves 14 to 16.
I hope you try and enjoy at least one of these recipes I have chosen to share with you. I hope you find them worth sharing with your family and friends, the ones you have now and those you will meet down the road.
A mother of three boys, Pam Zich has moved eight times in 17 years of marriage to her Marine Corps husband. E-mail her at homefront@stripes.osd.mil or find the Zichs online at www.lifeonthehomefront.com.
