Basic Family Foods this Week

The recipes that I'm sharing today are basic but delicious. Although, I do think that the Linguine with Green Onions is a little more "uptown" if you need a side dish when company comes. Also, I've never seen anyone turn down "Muzzy" Oliver's Fruit Cobbler, and I have to say, that in defense of the humble Tuna Casserole, Miss Daisy Hale had a very tasty version.

Marcia's Linguine with Green Onions

8 oz. linguine
3 TBSP butter or margarine
1 tsp sesame oil (opt.)
1 bunch green onions, trimmed and cut length-wise into strands, including green tops
2 TBSP soy sauce
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp garlic powder

Cook pasta in a large pot of salted, boiling water. While noodles are cooking, heat butter and sesame oil in a large, non-stick skillet over medium heat; stir in green onions. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently until wilted. Stir in soy sauce, ginger and garlic powder. Add drained pasta. Toss to coat.


While my family attended Washington Street Church we had the pleasure of befriending an 80-something-young-lady named Daisy Hale. Our boys called her Miss Daisy. She was a delightful older person with a young spirit. She always paid attention to children and loved life, in general. The moment you walked into her home, her well-practiced Southern manners took over: "Honey, can I get you a Coke?"..."Oh, here..take this chair!"... "Can I get you anything?"

Daisy had survived The Depression and WWII and her stories were fascinating. I could sit in her kitchen, with my Coca-Cola, of course, and listen for hours.

As a child she grew up a " stone's throw" from the track where the Kentucky Derby was held in " Loui'ville", as she would say, so she had fold memories of the excitement of "Derby Day" and helping her "Mama" serve refreshments to family and friends that would come into town for the big race.

We invited Daisy over for dinner one evening and she brought a tray covered with a linen tea towel. Underneath the towel were the lightest little rolls; they were folded over and she called them her "Pocketbook Rolls." They were delicious, and the name of them was intriguing to Justin and Blake. Another time, when I was sick , she brought us this Tuna Casserole and what a welcome change it was from take-out and pizza! Miss Daisy was such a sweet lady and good friend.


Daisy Hale's Tuna Bake

1/3 C chopped green pepper
3 TBSP chopped onion
4 or 5 TBSP Crisco
1 tsp salt
6 TBSP flour
1 can Cream of Chicken soup
enough milk to make gravy consistency
1-7 oz. can tuna
1 TBSP lemon juice

Cook peppers and onions in hot fat until golden; add salt, soup,milk and flour and cook until sauce is about as thick as cream gravy. Then, add tuna, stirring constantly. Pour into a greased casserole dish and top with refrigerator biscuits, sprinkled on top with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees.


Everybody called Mrs. Frank Oliver,"Muzzy". Even though she was the Mayor's wife of my husband's hometown, she was neither formal nor stuffy but friendly and outgoing in personality. "Muzzy" was good friends with my mother-in-law and they liked to swap recipes, so luckily I was passed a few recipes for Mrs. Oliver's delicious dishes that she brought to the Davis' and to church dinners. Here's one for her Fruit Cobbler. Enjoy!

"Muzzy" Oliver's Fruit Cobbler

Mix together:
1 C sugar
1 stick margarine
1 C flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 C milk
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

Mix in order given. Put sliced fruit in a pan. Pour mixture over it.
Then, dissolve 1 C of sugar in 1/2 C water. Pour over all. Bake in 360 degree oven for 1 hour.


I will be participating in BlessedwithGrace , AlltheSmallStuff and BalancingBeautyandBedlam's recipe swaps today.