My Favorite Family Recipes

Mom's Date Balls

"Of all the cookies/confections made by my mother and grandmother, it is these I have fondest memories of".

1 egg, beaten

1 c. chopped dates

1 tsp. vanilla

3/4 c. sugar

1/2 c. butter (not margarine)

2 c. rice krispies

1/2 c. chopped walnuts

Sifted powdered sugar

In a heavy saucepan, cook egg, dates, butter, vanilla, and sugar over low heat until it makes a heavy syrup. Remove from heat and add cereal and nuts. When cool enough to handle, roll mixture into tablespoonful size balls. Roll balls in powdered sugar. Store in an airtight container.

White Chili

1/4 c. butter

1 large onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

4 c. cooked, coarsely chopped chicken

3 c. chicken broth

2 T. chopped fresh cilantro

1 T. dried basil

2 tsp. chili seasoning (I always add a bit more)

2 cans Great Northern Beans, undrained

1 large (28 oz.) can stewed tomatoes, chopped

Cook onion and garlic in butter in soup pot until tender. Add remaining ingredients. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.

Hot German Potato Salad

4 med. potatoes

4 slices bacon

1/2 c. chopped onion

1 T. flour

1 T. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. celery seed

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/2 c. water

1/4 c. vinegar

Cook potatoes in boiling water for 20 - 25 minutes or until just tender. Drain, cool, peel, and thickly slice (a bit more than 1/4 of an inch). In a large skillet, fry bacon until crisp; drain bacon, reserving grease, and crumble. Add chopped onion to bacon drippings. Cook till tender. Stir in flour, sugar, salt, celery seed, and pepper. Stir in water and vinegar. Cook and stir until thick and bubbly. Stir in potato slices and bacon. Cook for 2 -3 minutes, or until heated through.

Deli Bean Salad

1 can green beans

1 can yellow wax beans

1 can lima beans

1 can kidney beans

1/2 c. chopped green pepper

1/2 c. chopped onion

1/2 c. vegetable oil

1/2 c. cider vinegar

1/2 c. sugar

1 T. salt

1 tsp. pepper

Drain beans. Combine first 7 ingredients in a large glass bowl. Combine vegetable oil and remaining ingredients in a jar. Shake vigorously. Pour dressing over bean mixture; toss well. Cover. Marinate overnight in refrigerator, stirring occasionally.

Brownie Bottom Pudding Pie

4 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate or

1 pkg. (4 oz.) BAKER'S GERMAN'S Sweet Baking Chocolate

1/4 c. butter or margarine

3/4 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 c. flour

1/2 c. chopped walnuts

2 1/2 c. cold milk

2 pkg. (4-serving size) JELL-O chocolate flavor

Instant Pudding and Pie Filling

Thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. (325 F for glass pie plate). Grease bottom and sides of 9-inch pie pan. Microwave chocolate and butter in large microwavable bowl on high 2 minutes. Stir until chocolate is melted. Stir in sugar, eggs and vanilla. Mix in flour, then nuts. Spread in pan. Bake 25 - 30 minutes. Cool. Pour milk into large bowl. Add pudding mixes. Beat with wire whisk 1 minute. Let stand 2 minutes. Spread over brownie pie. Top with whipped topping. Garnish with grated BAKER'S Chocolate. Refrigerate until ready to serve.