Email Address to respond to replies, requests and tips. Please include the date of the recipe, name of recipe and number of servings.  Remember to include your name within the message as well.

Re: Has anyone heard if Diet Coke has been changed?

I just bought three cases of it, and it does not taste as good as it used to.<<
Have you checked the expiration date?

I had some diet pop go bad once and asked the Pepsi bottler about it. They said that sugared pop lasts a long time but artificially sweetened pop goes bad quickly. I've found that artificially sweetened fruit acts the same way. If this isn't the problem, I'd take them back.
gramaj

For Dorothy from WA/AZ regarding the taste of Diet Coke.

I doubt if the recipe for Diet Coke has changed, I think the makers of Coca Cola learned their lesson several years ago when they stopped making the classic version and came out with New Coke.
Once I bought diet coke and it tasted like grape soda. I called our local bottling company and they said that they sometimes use the same line for several difference drinks and if they do not flush out the lines well enough it affects the taste of the next drink that they run. If just so happened they ran a batch of grape soda and then switched to diet Coke without flushing out the lines well enough and that is how mine tasted like grape. They were extremely nice and immediately sent a Coke rep to my house and switched drinks with me.
I am not sure if this is what has happened to you but I thought I would let you know about an experience I had when the taste was different.
Linda in KY

Got this recipe from a dear friend of mine and tweaked it a bit. Try it, you WON'T be disappointed!
Shelley in PA

Creamy Beef Stroganoff
1 lb. beef sirloin steak, cut into bite sized pieces or 1lb ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
8 oz. fresh sliced mushrooms
3 T butter
42 oz. container beef broth
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
8 oz. bag of egg noodles
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
16 oz. container of sour cream
salt and pepper

Brown meat with onion and mushrooms in 3 T butter in a large skillet.

Stir in beef broth, cream of mushroom soup, noodles and Worcestershire sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste. Be careful because the beef broth makes it salty enough! Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 10-12 minutes or until noodles are tender...stirring occasionally.

Add sour cream to taste...I used less than the 16 oz. Cook an additional two minutes or until heated through.
Shelley in PA

Here are two Waldorf Salad recipes my mother has used over the years (she is 93). The second one she says came from the Waldorf Astoria Hotel but she has never been there so not sure of that one.
Marti in AL

Classic Waldorf Salad
Serves 6

2 cups diced apples
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
Dash of salt
1 cup 1" julienne celery sticks
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup whipping cream, whipped
1 cup mini marshmallows (optional)

Combine sugar, lemon juice and salt. Add apples, celery and walnuts. Fold mayonnaise into whipped cream. Fold gently into apple mixture. Chill several hours.

Serve in lettuce lined bowl.
Marti in AL

Waldorf Salad
Serves 6

2 cups diced apples (do not peel)
1 cup diced celery
1 cup sliced red grapes
1 banana, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
1 cup miniature marshmallows
? cup chopped walnuts
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons cream or half & half

Combine first six ingredients; sprinkle lemon juice on top. Combine gently--best to use your hands to mix. Dress the salad with this. Mix mayonnaise with sugar and cream and stir until sugar is dissolved. Chill before serving. Can be prepared several hours ahead of time if necessary but add bananas last.
Marti in AL

In the June 30th newsletter, Sandy in Ne. was requesting recipes for a candy table at a wedding. I've never heard of that before, but I'd love to be invited to that one! ha! No wedding, reception, shower, etc. is complete without home made Cream Cheese Mints. I guarantee them to be a big hit! Will also include a recipe for a White Chocolate Party Mix that
is terrific!
Judy (in Alaska)

Cream Cheese Mints
1 pkg. (3 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
food color
granulated sugar
3 to 3-1/4 cups powdered sugar.

In large bowl for an electric mixer (preferably a Kitchen Aid) beat cream cheese and peppermint extract until well blended. Gradually add powdered sugar. If you don't have a Kitchen Aid, you will probably have to add the last of the powdered sugar by hand, kneading it in on a pastry board, or kitchen counter, lined with waxed paper. Add enough powdered sugar until mixture is stiff and it is no longer sticky and can shape into a small ball. Divide into four equal parts. Knead in 1 drop food color of your choice, to each part. Shape into tiny balls and roll in granulated sugar. Flatten balls with tines of a fork, or can press into candy molds. Let dry at room temperature, and store in loosely covered container in refrigerator until time to serve. Makes about 6 dozen delicious melt-in-your-mouth mints. Can make these up several days ahead, as they keep well.
Judy (in Alaska)

White Chocolate Party Mix

1 pkg. (10 oz.) mini pretzels
5 cups Cheerios
5 cups Corn Chex
2 cups salted peanuts
1 lb. M & M candies
3 tbsp. cooking oil
2 pkgs. (11 oz. each) white chocolate chips

In a large bowl, combine first five ingredients. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat chips and oil for 2 minutes on High, stirring once. Microwave on High another 10 seconds and stir until smooth. DON'T heat too long, or chocolate will be ruined. Pour over cereal mixture and mix well. Spread onto waxed paper; cool completely and break apart. Store in airtight container.
NOTE: For the different holidays, I like to use the special M & M's, such as the orange and black for Halloween and the pink, red and white M & M's for Valentine's Day, etc.
Judy (in Alaska)

Hi Nancy and BFF! (best furry friends)
I saw the request sent in by Sandy in Ne for savory items for a candy table at a wedding. She mentioned that there would be a bag to fill available and I thought that the following recipe would be perfect. It is a big, big favorite of the young & old "gentlemen" of my church. It is the kind of snack that keeps you coming back for more.
Sue in North Carolina

Herb Crunch
1/2 cup oil (EVOO)
5 cups oyster crackers (or one bag)
1 package of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing (dry mix)
2 tablespoons of Dill Seed (I use Pampered Chef Dill Mix)

Mix all together until all oyster crackers are coated - pour into a shallow baking pan (again I use the large bar pan by Pamp.chef) and bake for 15 minutes at 250 degrees.

It is salty and oooh so good! I make it at Christmas for friends who prefer salty treats instead of sweets.
Sue in North Carolina

I am looking for a Marinated Mushroom recipe. This recipe contained whole button mushrooms with scallions and herbs. I think the dressing was probably a Greek dressing, containing olive oil and vinegar, but am not sure - I know it wasn't an Italian dressing. It was delicious and I want to make it for the special lunches at our Ladies' Club.
Jean - Northeast Oklahoma.

I made the best food last night and I had to share, I believe I got both recipes from a yahoo group "Daily Recipes" Everyone ate it up, and my 10 yr old sister helped me! Its a wonderful dish!
Chrissy

Golden Glow Pork Chops
4 pork chops (4 to 6)
1/4 cup brown sugar or honey
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
1 can cling peach halves
1/4 cup vinegar
Salt and pepper

Lightly brown pork chops on both sides in large skillet. Pour off excess fat. Combine brown sugar or honey, cinnamon, cloves, tomato sauce, 1/4 cup syrup from peaches, and vinegar. Sprinkle chops with salt and pepper. Arrange chops in slow cooking pot. Place drained peach halves on top. Pour tomato mixture over all. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hrs.
Makes 5 to 6 servings. You can also fix this in the oven (I did) just cover and put in a 350* oven for 25 minutes (YUM!)
Chrissy

To Marge/Boston
I was thinking of taking a hike to NH this coming weekend. Would you be so kind as to share the name of the little restaurant you so love with the great food.
Thanks, Ailene

Corrected Recipe - the * has been corrected.

Pineapple Waldorf Salad
1-1/2 cups sweet red apples, diced
1 tbsp lemon juice
*1-1/2 cups celery, diced
3/4 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
1 cup canned pineapple chunks, drained
Mayonnaise
Crisp lettuce or other greens

Sprinkle diced apple with lemon juice. Combine apple with celery, walnuts and pineapple, cutting pineapple chunks if they seem too large. Add mayonnaise just to bind and lightly moisten ingredients. Chill. Serve on a bed of lettuce or other greens.
Serves six.
grannym IL

Hello all recipe collectors. I am looking for some good "made by me" dipping sauce for fried mozzarella sticks.
IG

This is a back of the box recipe. You could use Italian Sausage instead of ground beef.

Italian Skillet Dinner
1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon oil
1 package (1.5 oz) McCormick Spaghetti Sauce Mix, Mild Flavor
6 ounces tomato paste
2 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup bell pepper
2 cups ziti or elbow macaroni
shredded cheese

Brown ground beef; drain oil. Add tomato paste, water, Seasoning Mix, onions, bell peppers, and ziti or macaroni. Bring to boil. Cover; simmer 25-30 min., stirring occasionally. Top with shredded cheese.

Makes 4 servings
Brenda in IN

Hi Nancy and all, would someone please write the ingredients in order that is listed on the dukes mayonnaise ,just want to see if I can find anything close to it in the stores here. I've looked in some stores ,but they don't carry dukes. I live in Ohio and the closes store that has it is 70 miles away.
Thanks Joyce

This is for Liz.. About the salsa being too hot? My Dad makes his own salsa also he has made it too hot and then sometimes not hot enough so he makes another batch if too hot make it without the peppers and open the jars with peppers and re-can it? if not hot enough he just opens the jars and adds peppers to it and re-cans it..
Vicki

Dear Nancy, Amy of Az mention of the Wilton Company reminded me that I had them make our wedding cake. It was covered with pulled, pink, sugar and on the top layer was a pulled sugar nest with pulled sugar birds in it. Lots of pink sugar bows here and there also.

It cost $50. That was the price for a very special, expensive cake in 1950. We lived in Chicago at that time.
Dee in W. Lafayette

Hello to Nancy, Furbabies, and all my recipe pals,

Re: Hi everyone! Does anyone have some ideas on how to tone down some very HOT homemade salsa!? Made several jars and went way, way too heavy on the jalapenos. Is there any way to save this salsa? Hate to throw it all away, but it is way too hot. Thanks...
Liz in MN

Liz, not sure if it would work, but to tone down a HOT curry, you add pineapple juice, could you add a can of pineapple pieces or crushed pineapple to the salsa? Or maybe serve some of the "bits" you serve with curries - Yogurt with grated cucumber added, sliced banana in coconut, sour cream etc...depending on what your serving the salsa with.
Hope this may help you somewhat.
Elizabeth, Bendigo, Australia

Hi Nancy and all.
For Dorothy from WA/AZ, I had a diet coke in a bottle from a machine a couple days ago and it tasted watered down, Definitely not the old taste.

To Susie in Indy, your chicken casserole is almost like one I make, only yours is cut in half almost. I have made mine every Thanksgiving for years until I landed in nursing home about 20 months ago. The biggest difference is I mixed my chicken with the stuffing, mixed and baked everything together. Became a family tradition. Have to restart that tradition this year.
Knitter in Illinois

Nancy, I will try to send a couple of diabetic recipes in each day. Here are the first two:

Power Burger
1/2 lb lean ground beef
2 tbsp oat bran
1/4 cup oats
2 tbsp fat free milk
1 tsp dehydrated minced onion
Dash black pepper
1/2 tsp canola oil
Mix all ingredients together except the oil and form into 2 patties. Heat oil in skillet and cook burgers until done. Serves 2

Cal--296,total fat--17 gr, carb--11gr, fiber 2 gr
Peggy in Arkansas

Roman Burgers
1/2 lb lean ground beef
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp fat free milk
1 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
2 tbsp non fat dry milk powder
2 tbsp low fat mozzarella cheese

Combine all ingredients except mozzarella cheese in a mixing bowl and form into two patties. Cook on grill or in skillet, turning once until center is cooked through. Sprinkle 1 tbsp mozzarella cheese on top of each patty while still in pan and remove when cheese melts. Serves 2

Cal--327, Fat--18 gr, carb--13 gr, fiber--0 gr
Peggy in Arkansas

HELP!!!
I am desperate to find a recipe for the Classic Cheesecake.

I mean the one with the Graham Cracker Crust and then the Cream Cheese first bottom layer and then the Sour Cream second top layer.

First of all, does anyone REMEMBER the Classic Cheesecake? Seems impossible to find now that the NY Style Cheesecake became so popular.
Old Fashioned Girl

Here's a quick, versatile, delicious pie that I switch around many ways. Of course, it's Italian. Enjoy!
Anna

Italian Ricotta Pie
(add Raspberries and Blueberries for the Fourth)

6 oz frozen pie crust
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese (I use Chellino brand)
1 large egg
1 large egg white
4 Tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (I always grate my own)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup blueberries, washed *see my note
1 cup raspberries, washed

Preheat oven to 350?F. Place ricotta cheese in bowl of a food processor; process until smooth and creamy. Add egg, egg white, sugar, nutmeg and vanilla; process again until well combined.

Spoon filling into frozen pie crust and bake until a knife inserted in center comes out clean, about 45 to 50 minutes.

Cool pie and then arrange berries on top. (I go in circles) Makes 8 servings. Keep refrigerated.

*Note: I have used strawberries and also fresh sliced stone fruits like peaches, apricots and nectarines.
Anna

After reading the story that the lady from East Tennessee wrote about her grandmother's apron which she put in a shadow box, I wanted to share what I had found. When my mother died, I came across an old purse and in it there were two cancelled checks and a note written on a business card of my daddy's. After inspecting the checks, I realized they were cancelled checks that my daddy wrote to pay the doctor who delivered me and the other check to the hospital in Birmingham, Alabama where I was born. My father was a chiropractor and had written a note to his patients and thumb tacked it to his office door telling them he would return but was bringing home his daughter who had just been born in Birmingham. That was in 1948. Imagine my surprise. I have the checks and my daddy's note framed. On the back of the frame, I have explained what they are for my children and grandchildren to know. What a wonderful memento.
Jane Ann in Alabama

Nancy, this is for Lori in Ne.
Lori, I think you can buy the Arm & Hammer Washing Soda at Food Lion stores, if you have any where you live. If not, let me know and I will send you a box. I use it in my laundry and also to make soap.
Kay in N.C.

Hi Nancy,
Is it safe to assume it's evaporated milk and not sweetened condensed milk?
Karyn