Good neighbors arent always just next door
Column Summary
There is much we can do for our neighbors when a need presents itself. Opening your heart and your landscape to include a wide range of neighbors is a benefit to all of us, even ourselves.
There have been times when I have had to borrow a cup of my neighbors sugar. It was easier to make the call, and send our son down the lane on his four-wheeler; the nearest store is five miles west, the nearest neighbor just over a quarter mile.
There are generous neighbors in this township. When I measured the amount needed for my recipe I found more was given then I actually requested. My last baking borrow was for a teaspoon of baking soda, I received more like a quarter cup. In grateful return, I gave more back. On my next trip to get groceries I bought two boxes of baking soda, one for me one for my neighbor; I wonder who will run out first?
In our neck of the rural countryside, our neighbors are not close; they are a farm lane south, they are a cornfield and a woods east, north, and west. I cannot holler loud enough to be heard by any of our neighbors but echoing greetings between our Bassett Hound and a backfield donkey are constant conversation.
I have recently been reminded that our neighbors arent just those owning connecting property to our own, be it farmland or mowed yard. Neighbors arent just those that live next door in a duplex, or above or below in an apartment building. Our neighbors expand way beyond property lines, school districts, city maps, and state lines.
When a family in a nearby town had a house fire, what did you do for those neighbors; did you clean out a closet, did you go shopping, did you pray? When the newspapers began to pile-up on your elderly neighbors porch did you check on him? When you heard a city on the east coast had a tragic incident what did you do for those neighbors, what could you do?
When you get in the practice of random acts of kindness you are giving-ready when an immediate need needs addressed. If you donate food to the local food bank or deliver filled grocery bags directly to someone you know it enhances your awareness to the next opportunity of giving. If you donate all of your garage sale leftovers to your local charity thrift store, think about how your discards become gifts to your neighbors.
When giving, openly, or anonymously because of distance or by choice to someone much closer, what you receive in return is so much greater. Its like that one teaspoon of baking soda, it returns as an entire box. Please take time to be a good neighbor; to those next door and to those a good map away.
We had some great deer steaks cooked on the grill for last nights supper; salt, pepper, slow cook tender. How do you prepare your wild game? Send your recipes to Country Cupboard, 5973 Blachleyville Rd., Wooster, Ohio, 44691. Emails are always welcome: thewritecook@sssnet.com
Fried Dill Pickles
1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
6 drops hot sauce
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon pepper
3 1/2 cup flour
1 quart sliced dill pickles
Wesson oil for deep frying
Combine first 5 ingredients, stirring well. Set aside. Combine 3 1/2 cups flour, salt and pepper, stirring well. Dip pickles in milk mixture and dredge in flour mixture, repeat process. Deep fry in hot oil, 350 degrees until pickles float to surface and are golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
Baked Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
4 medium sweet potatoes
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon milk
1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained and reserve liquid
6 marshmallows
Bake sweet potatoes at 450 degrees until soft. Cut each sweet potato in half lengthwise and scoop out potato, leaving shell intact. Mash sweet potatoes with butter, salt and milk, along with 1/2 cup crushed pineapple. Add a little more milk or butter if necessary. Fill sweet potato shells. Slice marshmallows in half and top each sweet potato with two halves. Top with a spoonful of crushed pineapple. Put reserved pineapple syrup or juice in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Drizzle each sweet potato with a little of the juice. Place sweet potatoes under broiler and broil until browned.
Honey Butter Bread Spread
1 cup butter, unsalted
1 tablespoon honey
1 pinch nutmeg
1 pinch cloves
Place in medium size bowl softened butter, honey (for sweeter taste buds add more honey), nutmeg and clove. Cream ingredients together until blended well. Cover and chill.
Cheddar Cheese Biscuits
2 cups Bisquick baking mix
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Heat oven to 450 degrees. Mix baking mix, milk, and cheese until a soft dough forms; beat vigorously for 30 seconds. Drop dough by spoonfuls onto an ungreased cooking sheet. Bake 8 - 10 minutes or until golden brown. Mix butter & garlic powder. Brush garlic mixture over warm biscuits before removing from cookie sheet. Serve warm. Makes 12. Serving Size: 4.
Kentucky Cole Slaw
4 1/2 cups grated cabbage
3/4 cup salad dressing
1/4 tablespoon dill pickle vinegar
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/3 cup sugar
4 tablespoons milk
Combine all ingredients except cabbage to make dressing. Add dressing to cabbage and stir well. Refrigerate and serve cold. Best made several hours in advance to allow flavors to blend. Makes 3-4 servings.
Special Hamburger Sauce
1/4 cup light Miracle Whip
1/4 cup regular mayonnaise
2 tablespoons reduced-fat French dressing
1/2 tablespoon sweet relish
2 teaspoon dill relish
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon finely minced onion
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon ketchup
Pinch salt
In microwave-safe bowl, mix all ingredients well. Microwave for 25 seconds. Stir, cover, refrigerate at least 1 hour before using so that flavors can meld. Great on any burger.
Fabulous French Toast Sticks
1/2 cup milk (4 ounces)
2 eggs
2 to 4 pieces of white bread
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 to 3 drops vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
Powdered sugar
Beat two eggs thoroughly. Stir in milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Take slices of bread and slice into 4 strips. Dip bread strips in batter and place on grill until golden brown and turn. Sprinkle powdered sugar lightly over strips. Add maple syrup according to taste.
Batter Fried chicken Nuggets
1 package chicken cutlets
1 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg, slightly beaten
2/3 cup milk
1 tablespoon melted shortening
Cut up chicken cutlets into chunks. Mix all the other ingredients together with mixer. Dip chunks into batter and fry. A deep fryer works well, but a regular frying pan will do.
Hamburger Steaks with Brown Gravy
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion
1 tablespoon catsup
2 slices toast or oatmeal
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Soften toast with water. Mix with other ingredients. Add beef to mixture. Place in frying pan with 1 tablespoon cooking oil. Brown on both sides; remove from pan. Place in baking dish. Slice small onion over meat.
Brown Gravy:
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups water
2 tablespoons catsup
Salt to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Stir flour in pan meat was cooked in. Stir until brown. Add water, catsup, black pepper. When gravy thickens, pour over meat. Cover and bake in oven for 30 minutes at 375 degrees. This can also be cooked in the crock pot on low overnight.
Sweet and Sour Salad Dressing
4 eggs, beaten
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup vinegar
1 teaspoon salt or less
1/2 teaspoon mustard
1 pint mayonnaise or salad dressing
Cook together first 5 ingredients and cool. Then add 1 pint mayonnaise or salad dressing. Mix well.
