Honey Mustard Salad Dressing

This recipe comes from our sister-in-law.

3 Tbsp raw honey

2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

2 Tbsp Dijon mustard

1/2 cup olive oil

Put in bottle and shake well.

Tomato Relish

This actually came from our grandmother, our mom's mom. This is the canned relish that Mom always made growing up! Yes, it is a huge quantity because it is meant to be canned! We had this a lot on with roasts growing up, especially for Sunday dinner! I even liked it on my roasted potatoes.

Tomato Relish (from our Grandmother Mary O)

30 ripe tomatoes, chopped into pieces
12 large sour apples, chopped into pieces
10 large onions, chopped into pieces
1 quart vinegar
1 quart sugar
6 green peppers, chopped
4 Tbsp mustard
4 Tbsp salt
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger

Make sure everything is chopped finely. Mix all the ingredients together. Bring to a boil for 2 hours, and then bottle.

To bottle:

1. Sterilize jars only with washing or putting jars in boiling water.
2. Take new lids and put into hot, boiled water.
3. Set jars in hot water, as well.
4. Pour relish into bottle.
5. After wiping the edge of the jar, place the lid on top.
6. Screw on lid.

While cooling, the center part of the new lid should pop down.

Bread & Butter Pickles

We always had these in our cupboard! I think these pickles are so tasty. Mom got this recipe from her mom. I am so glad for recipes that come down through generations. It helps me feel more connected to people that I never knew on this earth.

Bread & Butter Pickles (Mom and Grandma)

1 gallon peeled cucumber slices
8 small onions, sliced (3 regular sized)
1/3 c salt

Syrup:

5 c sugar
5 c vinegar
1 tsp celery seed
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 1/2 tsp turmeric
2 Tbsp mustard seed


Pour salt on top of the cucumbers and onions. Cover with ice cubes and let it stand for 3 hours. Drain. Bring to boil in syrup and turn down while pouring into sterilized pint jars. Seal. Makes about 8 pint jars.


To bottle:

1. Sterilize jars only with washing or putting jars in boiling water.
2. Take new lids and put into hot, boiled water.
3. Set jars in hot water, as well.
4. Pour pickles and syrup into bottle.
5. After wiping the edge of the jar, place the lid on top.
6. Screw on lid.

While cooling, the center part of the new lid should pop down.

Salsa (Mom & Dad's)

This salsa was usually prepared in a yellow tupperware bowl and sitting in the refrigerator but not for many days because we would inhale it.

Salsa (Mom & Dad)

8 c diced tomatoes
2 - 3 c chopped onions
1 1/2 chopped green (or red) peppers
1/3 c vinegar
1 (or 2) Tbsp sugar
1 (or 2) Tbsp salt
2 squirts Tabasco
Some shakes of garlic powder
4 oz can of green chilies

Stir together, chill, and serve!

Turkey Gravy

I've never really made gravy before, so I had no idea how one would make the excellent turkey gravy that typically accompanies the turkey and mashed potatoes. Fortunately, Dad was willing to contribute, so this comes straight from Dad!

Turkey Gravy from Dad

It isn't a recipe so much as it is a method. I collect all of the juices from the pan in which the turkey was roasted and let them set until the grease has separated and risen to the top. I measure and use one tablespoon of flour for every tablespoon of grease. For every cup of gravy I want to make I use one cup of the drippings from which the grease has been removed and add to it one tablespoon of grease and flour for a thin gravy, or two tablespoons of grease and flour for a medium gravy, or three tablespoons of grease and flour for a thick gravy. I make sure the grease and flour are well dissolved in the drippings before I heat the mixture to boiling. The gravy will thicken when boiled so boil it for a minute or so and then add the chopped giblets and boil for another minute or so.

If there aren't enough drippings to make the amount of gravy you desire you can add potato water to the drippings until you have the volume you desire. If you are short of grease you can add butter, but keep the ratios of grease/butter, flour, and drippings/potato water the same.

You can use corn starch instead of flour but use about half as much corn starch as flour.