Ozark Pudding

As I was reading through recipes, I found a recipe for Ozark Pudding. When I told my parents that I had found it, my mom told me that it was one of my dad’s favorite desserts so I made it for the family the other night. When it bakes it forms a crust, and my niece Addie liked the crust so much that she picked at it all evening long. J I had heard of Ozark Pudding, but never tried it. I ended up really enjoying it although I will admit to the fact that I probably would have enjoyed it better without the nuts. Dessert was a big hit that night. Next time I think I will double the recipe.

Mrs. Harry S. Truman’s Ozark Pudding

1 egg

1 ¼ teaspoon baking powder

½ cup chopped nuts (I used walnuts.)

1 teaspoon vanilla

¾ cup sugar

2 tablespoons flour

1/8 teaspoon salt

½ cup raw chopped apples

Beat the egg and sugar for a considerable time, until it is very smooth. Mix flour, baking powder and salt and then stir into sugar-egg mixture. Add apples, nuts, and vanilla. Bake in a buttered pie pan in 350-degree oven for 35 minutes. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream. A little rum flavoring may be added, if desired.

Kansas City Star Magazine cookbook, October 24, 1971

Variations I thought of:

• Make individual puddings in ramekins.
• Use pecans instead of walnuts.
• For those who don’t like nuts, leave them out and double the apples.
• Add cinnamon, nutmeg, or apple pie seasoning.

Taco Meatloaf

While I was going through notebooks with recipes written down by my great-grandmothers, I came across a “cookbook” from the Kansas City Star Magazine. This cookbook was dated October 24, 1971, and it has many recipes that were submitted by cooks from throughout the Kansas City metro area. One of the recipes that caught my fancy was a taco meatloaf. I love tacos and I love meatloaf so I thought why not. The recipe was submitted to the Kansas City Star by a Mrs. Ray G. Roberts from Overland Park, KS.

 I made this as the main dish for our Monday night family dinners. Almost every Monday night, my parents, I, my sister, brother-in-law and my niece and nephew get together for a family dinner. Since I am starting this blog, my family is going to be the guinea pigs of any recipes that I try out. The taco meatloaf was a hit with them.

Parentheses indicate the changes that I made to the recipe.

TACO MEATLOAF

2 pounds ground chuck

1 cup crushed taco shells (I used Fritos.)

1/3 cup taco sauce

2 tablespoons taco spice

1 egg

½ cup Monterey jack cheese, crumbled (shredded)

Combine all ingredients. Press into loaf pan or ring mold. Bake at 375 degrees for 60 minutes. Pour off excess fat. Return to oven about one minute. (I added taco sauce to the top of the meatloaf before returning it to the oven.)

To vary the oven for hamburgers: Omit egg and Monterey Jack cheese. Make hamburger patties as usual, rolling them a little thin. Top with cheddar cheese after frying and serve on a bun with taco sauce.

Some variations that I thought of while making the meatloaf:

• ·         Use ground turkey or chicken for a healthier option
• ·         Crush more taco shells to add to the top of the meatloaf for a garnish and to add a little crunch.
• ·         Make a taco meatloaf taco by placing a slice of meatloaf in a taco shell and then topping with your favorite taco toppings.
• ·         Using crushed tortilla chips instead of taco shells.

Call Me Old-Fashioned

When I started this blog a few months ago, I didn't have a plan or a direction for it and because of that I haven't been very faithful about writing. I recently found a direction that I want to take this blog in. I love old things, old recipes, antique furniture, and basically I love how simple life seemed to be back when my grandparents and great-grandparents were children.  I have decided to head the blog in the direction of the past. I plan to share old family recipes I have found and some that aren't old family recipes. I have managed to obtain a number of old cookery books and books about homesteading, gardening, vintage crafts, herbs, cleaning, etc. As I explore how they did things in the past, I plan on sharing some of these things with you along with how I am adapting them for today. As King Solomon says several times in Ecclesiastes, there is nothing new under the sun so I am going to take sometime to share some of the old.

Tonight I am making dinner for my family. I am making  an old recipe I found for Taco Meatloaf and Ozark Pudding so tomorrow and Wednesday look for the recipes and photos.