FROMONLINE | 2012-10-17

  • By Daphne Ross
  • October 17, 2012
  • 317
                        
Many things happen just overnight Column Summary We live our lives day-to-day, and like so many things our daily doings can change at the last minute; we are aware to see it. But when our heads hit the pillow, overnight changes can be a complete surprise. Who hasn’t heard the expression “in the blink of an eye”, which is a timing of one-third of a second? Within that single blink so much change can occur; emotions, lives, directions all are subject within a single, minute measuring of time. Overnight you can become a mother; that was me nearly 24 years ago. A grandmother, nope not me but I did just recently become a mother-in-law, and that’s an excellent start. Six months to plan a wedding, we were on it, and then just overnight the party is over. But, a new union is just beginning; a new future together, a new family rooting into their own routine. Happily ever after is on the horizon. Congratulations to our daughter April and her husband Justin Cherilla. If you live in Ohio you already know, and if you visit Ohio you will soon know, within that blink of an eye our Ohio weather, especially for northeast Ohio, can change drastically. We go to bed, maybe with a forecast warning; it’s enough to get the school kids to wear their jammies backwards to bed in hopes of a snow day off school. You might awaken to a tree branch rubbing against the side of your house; you might hear the howls of a wild wind not from a drifter critter. You now know that the mild, yet cool atmosphere of the day before has taken a turn toward what we all know is a given, the fourth season has arrived just overnight. The ever-changing weather of the next season plays such a large part of our days and nights. A clear morning, projects us into our day with confidence. An overnight blanket many inches thick triggers hesitation. But then again, once you are safely to your work space, the sun comes out and all the sudden it seems the troubles of the a.m. have melted away. Great are the wedding cupcakes leftover from our family event, but I have the feeling that by tomorrow morning they will be all gone; after-dinner dessert, a lunch packed sweet, and silent snackers in the night will finish them off. Now if only the last bit of cole slaw would disappear as well, sweet as it is, it isn’t a wedding cupcake. A good night’s sleep is what I would expect after so much planning and activity in our family for the past six months, but mostly since the two week countdown began. I can sleep peacefully now; I can sleep knowing my daily list is now shorter, I can sleep reassured that our only daughter sleeps comfortably in the arms of a good man. (But someone forgot to tell the dog.) Mornings are quite busy; for most folks, in most homes; share recipes that make the morning easier; Country Cupboard, 5973 Blachleyville Rd., Wooster, OH, 44691. Emails are always welcome; thewritecook@sssnet.com Overnight Chicken Casserole 2 cups uncooked macaroni 2 cups chopped cooked chicken 1 can Cream of Mushroom soup 1 can Cream of Chicken soup 2 cup milk 1 medium onion 1/2 cup diced cheese Salt and pepper, to taste Combine all ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate overnight (at least 6 hours). Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Remove from oven; sprinkle top with herbed stuffing mix and bake for an additional 15 minutes. This recipe may be doubled and half may be wrapped tightly and stored in the freezer. When doubling, use 2 cans of the Cream of Chicken soup, 1 can of the Cream of Mushroom soup, and 1 can of Cream of Celery. Turkey may be substituted for chicken. Makes 4-6 servings. Overnight Salad Cut full head of lettuce into bite-sized pieces 1 cup chopped celery 1 cup (or 1 large) green pepper 1/2 cup green onions, chopped 1 package frozen green peas, do not cook 1 can sliced water chestnuts or sliced radishes Cheddar cheese, grated Chopped cooked bacon Hard cooked eggs, 2 or 3 Use 9 x 13 inch pan. Place ingredients in layers as listed. Cover with a little more lettuce. Then spread dressing over the salad and seal edges so it completely covers the salad. Sprinkle with grated cheddar cheese. Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight. When ready to serve, sprinkle with chopped cooked bacon and chopped hard-cooked eggs. Dressing: 2 cups mayonnaise 2 tablespoons sugar 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon seasoning salt Overnight Tuna Casserole 2 cups uncooked egg noodles 1 can cream of chicken soup 7 ounce can tuna, drained 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 1 soup can milk 2 tablespoons butter 1/3 cup dry bread crumbs In 1 1/2 quart casserole, combine all ingredients except butter and bread crumbs. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours. Bake at 350 degrees, covered, for 1/2 hour. While casserole is baking, lightly brown bread crumbs in butter; top casserole with crumb mixture. Continue baking, uncovered, an additional 1/2 hour. Serves 5 to 6. Overnight French Toast 3 eggs 1/2 cup milk 2 tablespoons sugar 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon vanilla 6 slices French or sourdough bread sliced 3/4 inch thick In medium bowl whisk together all ingredients. Pour over bread slice on a baking sheet, refrigerate overnight or at least 12 hours. In skillet melt the butter, slowly fry bread over moderate heat until golden brown. Garnish with a sprinkling of pecans and dust with powdered sugar. Serve with syrup. Overnight Lasagna 1 pound mild Italian sausage or ground beef 32 ounce jar prepared spaghetti sauce 1 cup water 15 ounce carton Ricotta cheese 2 tablespoon chopped fresh chives (or freeze dried) 1/2 teaspoon oregano leaves 1 egg 8 ounce uncooked lasagna noodles 16 ounce package sliced Mozzarella cheese 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese In large skillet, brown sausage, drain well. Add spaghetti sauce and water; blend well. Simmer 5 minutes. In medium bowl, combine Ricotta cheese, chives, oregano and egg; mix well. In bottom of ungreased 13 x 9 inch baking dish or lasagna pan, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce; top with 1/2 of the noodles, 1/2 of the Ricotta cheese mixture and 1/2 of the Mozzarella cheese. Repeat with remaining noodles, Ricotta cheese mixture and Mozzarella cheese; top with remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Uncover baking dish. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until noodles are tender and casserole is bubbly. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. 12 servings. Overnight Mashed Potatoes 12 potatoes, cut up and cooked 8 ounces cream cheese 1/4 cup butter 1/2 cup sour cream 1/2 cup milk 2 eggs, slightly beaten 1/4 cup chopped onion Salt and pepper Mash potatoes. Add chunks of cream cheese and butter while potatoes are hot. Add remaining ingredients; beat until smooth. Put in 9 inch bowl, oven proof. Refrigerate overnight. Bake 350 degrees 45 minutes. Overnight Breakfast Rolls 1 cup chopped pecans 24 frozen dinner roll nuggets 1 package (3 5/8 ounce) butterscotch pudding, not instant 1/2 cup butter 1 teaspoon cinnamon 3/4 cup brown sugar Spray 9 x 13 pan heavily with Mazola No-Stick cooking spray. Sprinkle pecans on bottom of pan evenly. Arrange frozen nuggets in rows on pecans. Sprinkle with pudding powder. Make syrup by melting butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar in a small saucepan. Pour over rolls in pan. Put in warm draft free place to rise overnight. In the morning, bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes. Turn out onto a foil lined cookie sheet. Overnight Cinnamon Coffee Cake 3/4 cup butter, softened 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 cup (8 ounce) sour cream 2 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped 1 teaspoon cinnamon In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Beat in sour cream. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg. Add to creamed mixture; mix well. Pour batter into greased and floured 9 x 13 inch pan. Combine brown sugar, walnuts and cinnamon; mix well. Sprinkle over batter. Cover and chill overnight. Uncover and bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until inserted wooden pick comes out clean. Overnight Chicken & Macaroni Casserole 2 cups uncooked macaroni 2 cups milk 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 can cream of celery soup 1 can mushrooms 2 cups diced, cooked chicken 1 small onion, chopped 1 small can pimento 1/2 pound Velveeta cheese, cubed Mix all ingredients together. Put into a large casserole and refrigerate overnight. Remove from refrigerator. Top with buttered bread crumbs, crushed potato chips, or Chinese noodles. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Serves 10- 12.


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