Melt Down Monday with Dairy

Instant macaroni and cheese has its place in my pantry because my sons love it, but they also enjoy trying new recipes that contain their favorite ingredients. Macaroni-and-Cheese Deluxe, found in my 1979 Southern Living Recipes  book,   has a rich flavor and would  complement any meat dish.  It's a perfect, family pleasing  recipe, and easy to prepare  for melt down Mondays!


Macaroni-and-Cheese Deluxe

1 (8oz.) package elbow macaroni
2 cups small-curd cottage cheese
1 (8oz.) carton commercial sour cream
1 egg, lightly beaten
3/4 teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
2 cups (1/2 pound) shredded process American cheese
Paprika


Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain.
Combine cottage cheese, sour cream, egg, salt, and pepper in a large bowl; stir in shredded cheese.
Add macaroni, stirring well.
Pour into a greased 9-inch baking pan, and sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Helpful Hint: To make shredding of very soft cheese easier, put in the freezer for 15 minutes.
Yield: 6-8 servings

 

Dairy Makes Sense Everyday!

Dairy Recipe Celebrates St. Patrick Luck

In honor of St. Patrick's Day on March 17th, my church is planning a Sunday dinner with a green theme. It's always fun to see what creative dishes may appear from some of the best cooks in the county! 

I've  eaten Lemon-Lime Gelatin Salad   at many  potluck dinners but never made it myself so I'm hoping  St. Patrick's Day will hopefully bring me good luck in the kitchen!  After all, legend says that each leaf of the clover means something: the first is for hope, the second for faith, the third for love and the fourth for luck.

Lemon-Lime Gelatin Salad

1 (3oz.) pkg. lime gelatin
1 (3oz.) pkg. lemon gelatin
2 cups boiling water
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained with juice reserved
1 cup small curd  cottage cheese
1 cup cream or evaporated milk
1 c. mayonnaise
1/2 cup chopped  pecans

Directions:
In a large measuring pitcher, mix reserved pineapple juice and enough water to yield 2 cups. Pour into a pot and bring to a boil. Add the lime and lemon gelatin mixes and stir until completely dissolved.

Stir the mayonnaise and evaporated milk together in a mixing bowl. Stir in the gelatin mixture until completely blended. Mix in the crushed pineapple, cottage cheese, and pecans. Pour the gelatin mixture into a serving bowl. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.


                                                              Happy St. Patrick's Day!
                                                                             

Daddy's Girl Treasure

  Father's Day is a day to treasure Dad. From childhood through adulthood, our lives have been enriched by the relationship with our fathers.   Now that  both of our dads have passed on, we are blessed with  many fond    memories and lessons learned   that we treasure as we transition from being Daddy's girl and Daddy's boy to  becoming  the older generation. This transition is hard!! One of my 'Dad'  treasures is a typed page of recipes from my dad that he   often prepared for special family dinners.  It seems fitting on Father's Day  to share one of his favorite salad recipes.



Holiday Salad
1 15 oz. crushed pineapple
1 3 oz. wild strawberry jello
1 small carton small curd cottage cheese
1 8 oz. Cool Whip

Heat pineapple to boiling.
Add jello and dissolve well and
let partially set in refrigerator.
Add cottage cheese and Cool Whip,mixing well. Place in dish and
let chill.

Between farm chores and church, we'll be celebrating Father's Day  with our sons.  From our dairy farm family to you--

                                                          Happy Father's Day!