A New Kind of Pico De Gallo

1/2 cup lime juice
chopped garlic (to taste)
1/2 jalapeno (or to taste)
Blend these first three ingredients in a blender and set aside for the dressing.

1/2 to 3/4 Head of cabbage chopped bite size.
1 Onion, chopped fine
2-3 tomatos,chopped (optional)
1/2 to 1 bunch cilantro, chopped fine
Toss these in a large salad bowl and add the dressing, toss together.

Serve with 16 oz. softened cream cheese and plain taco chips. Dip chip into cream cheese, scoop some pico de gallo on top and enjoy!

-Missy Earl

Bread Bowls

1 loaf Rhodes bread dough, thawed but still cold

Cut dough into halves or thirds depending on the size you want.
Form each piece into a ball.
Place on baking sheet coated with cooking spray.
Brush with beaten egg
Cover with sprayed plastic wrap
Let rise until doubled in size.
Remove wrap and bake at 350 F 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool and slice off top.
Hollow out and fill with favorite dip, chili or soup.
Save bread that comes out of the middle to eat with your dip or soup.

-Lor'L Whitehead

You can also use your own homemade bread dough with the same directions.

Elephant Ears

Otherwise known as scones or sopapillas. I grew up calling them Elephant Ears and they were a staple in our house. We would make them almost as big as the plate. Mom always made homemade bread so there was always fresh bread dough to use.

Fresh bread dough
Cooking oil 2 to 3 inches deep in skillet, heated

Break off chunks of dough and flatten all around with hands
Fry in hot oil on both sides until golden brown
Remove and drain on paper towels

Serve hot. Topping suggestions: Honeybutter, butter, jam, powdered sugar

We have started a tradition now of making these on Halloween evening after the trick-or-treating is done and we are all back home. The kids can bring their friends and we usually have some grown-up friends too. They go great with Hot Cocoa!

Fruit and Pasta Salad

24 oz. pasta, cooked and drained
20 oz. pineapple bits, drained
2 c. celery, chopped
3 gr. onions, chopped
red and green grapes, sliced
9.5 oz. can cashews
6 oz. pkg. craisins
22 oz. mandarin oranges
4 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
16 oz. bottle coleslaw dressing
(I just mix up some mayonnaise, sugar and a little milk for the dressing)
1 c. mayo
salt and pepper to taste


Mix up your dressing and mayo in a large bowl
Add the rest of the ingredients saving the pasta and the mandarin oranges until last so they don't get broken up.
Add more sugar or mayo until it tastes right if you made your own dressing (should be a little sweet)

-Wendy Patterson

This salad is addicting!

Corn Bread

1/2 c. butter
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 c. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 c. milk
1 c. cornmeal

Mix all ingredients
pour into 9x13 greased baking pan
Bake @ 350 for 40 minutes.

-LaBretta Woodland

Scalloped Potatos

1 26 oz. cream of chicken soup
3/4 c. milk
1/2 tsp. pepper
10 med. potatoes, peeled and sliced
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Combine all together and bake in a 3 qt. baking dish @ 375 for one hour or until potatoes are done.