Yummy Bars

A treat that is bar none (pun intended) competely free of nutrition. Yum though. This recipe came from Health One Mercy Hospital Employee Association Cookbook entitled Savory Creations Vol 2. which was put out in the 80s.

Special K Bars

From Jeri Arendt, Short Stay

1 cup sugar
1 cup Karo white syrup
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
8 cups special K cereal
1 12 oz. pkg. chocolate chips
1 12 oz. pkg. butterscotch chips

Bring to boil in large glass bowl in microwave, sugar and syrup, 4-5 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes. Add peanut butter stir in well. Add cereal. Pat into 9x13 pan or cookie sheet. Mix chips in glass bowl, microwave 3-5 minutes on 70% power (7 on most microwaves) and mix until smooth. Cover cereal mixture.

Note: original recipe used 6 oz. packages of chips. I didn't think it provided enough coverage, but easily, a total of 18 oz. of chips would be ideal.

Holiday Winter Drinks

Clearing some cookbooks out, but needed to keep these recipes. They are delicious. Both recipes come from Betty Crocker. Grape juice can be substituted for the wine. Add some ginger ale or sugar free Sprite if too sweet.

Wassail

1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine (about 3 cups)
2 cups apple juice
1/4 to 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
10 whole cloves
Apple wedges

Mix all ingredients except apple in 2 quart microwavable measure. Cover tightly and microwave on high 11 to 13 minutes, stirring after 5 minutes until boiling. Garnish each serving with apple wedge. 10 servings (1/2 cup each)
For non-alcoholic version, I find a half and half with white and purple grape juice works well.

Glogg

10 whole cloves
7 cardamom pods, crushed
2 sticks cinnamon
1 piece gingerroot, about 1/2 inch, if desired
2 cups water
10 whole blanched almonds, cut lengthwise into halves
1 3/4 cups raisins
1 cup pitted large prunes
1 orange, cut into 4ths
2 bottles (750 ml each) dry red wine
1 3/4 cups brandy
1 3/4 cups vodka
1/3 cup sugar

Tie cloves, cardamom pods and sees, cinnamon and gingerroot in cheesecloth bag. Heat spice bag, water, almonds, raisins, prunes and orange to boiling in Dutch oven; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 45 minutes. Remove spice bag, prunes and orange (Reserve prunes for eating if desired). Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and heat until mixture begins begins to bubble. Ladle almond half and a few raisins into each cup before filling with Hot Glogg.

24 servings (1/2 cup each).

Demise of the Dough Boy

Back in the 80s, a British consortium bought out Pillsbury. This joke thing did the rounds given the weird stuff they were doing to the doughboy with their slick (and rather scummy) advertising. Thankfully, they returned to the old doughboy after many complaints. Enjoy.

It is with the saddest heart that I pass on the following. Please join me in remembering a great icon. The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and complications from repeated pokes in the belly. Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, Hostess Twinkies and Captain Crunch. The grave was piled high with flours as long-time friend, Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy, describing Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in show business but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times, he even still, as a crusty old man, was considered a roll model for millions. Toward the end it was thought that he would rise again, but alas, he was no tart. Doughboy is survived by his wife, Play Dough, two children, John Dough and Jane Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart. The funeral was held at 3:50 for about twenty minutes.