Everything that goes around comes around.  Congealed salads are the latest darling of the food world, they were always on Mother’s table in the 50’s a nd 60’s and now they’re back in a big way.

My all time favorite is Perfection Salad, made the way mother did with pineapple, carrots and cabbage in lime or lemon Jello, it’s a oldie but goodie.

Lucy’s Perfection Salad

2 (3 oz.) pkgs. lemon or lime Jello

1/4 head cabbage, chopped

2 carrots, chopped or grated

1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple

Dissolve Jello in 2 cups boiling water; stir well. Add 1 1/2 cups cold water. Add vegetables and pineapple with juice.

Put in jello mold and chill several hours.

I made not one, not two, but three really good salad dressings this morning.  The Italian Vinaigrette is a new recipe, but the other two, Western and Ramona’s Poppyseed, are favorites.  I’ve made Ramona’s recipe for years, there isn’t a better poppyseed dressing than hers, it’s just wonderful.  And the quart jar, it’s green and it’s wonderful, but that’s for another post.

If you happen to be in the mood, these are easy peasy and so much better than bottled.  Yep, they’re low-carb, but don’t let that stop you, these are excellent dressings.

The Western Dressing calls for a bit of xanthan gum to thicken it, but you can leave that out.  

Here are the links, maybe you’re thinking spring and salad this sunny February day, too.

Ramona’s Famous Poppyseed Dressing

Peace, Low & Low Carbs Italian Vinaigrette Dressing

Western Dressing

“Papa’s Favorite Hamburger” (referring to Hemingway’s nickname) calls for nine ingredients to be mixed into lean ground beef — including Spice Islands mei yen power, soy sauce, garlic, India relish, capers and wine — before forming it into “fat, juicy patties” and frying them in oil so the final product is crispy brown on all sides and “the middle pink and juicy.”

You’ll see hand-written notes all over the recipe, including one calling for grated cheddar to be added to the patty blend.

The author’s hamburger recipe was just released by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library’s Hemingway Letters Project.

Who wouldn’t enjoy a collection of great kopy-kat Olive Garden Recipes.  Six Sisters Stuff has published all of the above.  You can grab their recipes here...

Recipes courtesy of Six Sisters’ Stuff

This four layer cake is also known as Grandma’s Best Coconut Cake.  I haven’t had it in years, but it’s a goodie.  Thinking ahead to Easter...

Here’s the link to the recipe

1 can Pillsbury Grands™ Refrigerated Biscuits
1/2 cup Land o’ Lakes Cinnamon Sugar Butter Spread™
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2-3 tablespoons water

Learn how to make them here...

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup silver tequila
• 3/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (from 6 to 8 limes)
• ⅓ cup honey
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 4 1/2 pounds chicken drumsticks (about 20)
• 3 tablespoons safflower oil
• Clementine or orange wedges, for serving (optional)

Preparation

A friend of mine had horseradish coleslaw in a restaurant and loved it, so I decided to make it at home.  It turned out so good, it’s very forgiving, you can just add or subtract the amount of horseradish to taste.  You could even try just adding horseradish to your own creamy coleslaw recipe ~ Jan

This has always been a family favorite of ours, perfect for this January weather...

I’m on a fried chicken kick this week and this Amish Fried Chicken is a recipe I’ve made several times with good results.  The seasonings are really good, the dried marjoram gives it a different flavor.

This is the recipe I made, from Food.com with just a few adaptations to the spices.  I used garlic powder instead of garlic salt, and also added a teaspoon of onion powder.  I also added a teaspoon of paprika for a nice golden color.   I also soak it overnight in sweet milk, I think that milk makes chicken more tender, and gives it a nice flavor.

This is so easy because you bake it instead of fry it, it’s really delicious.  ~ Jan

Photo courtesy of Midwest Living