Barbara McClellan

Do you remember going to the movies on Saturday and seeing cartoons? It was a big deal to see the cartoons there in the pre-TV days.

I suppose the only cartoons we saw otherwise were in comic books or the “funny papers” in Sunday newspapers.

I remember the characters so well. I think my favorite might have been Bugs Bunny. He was always in a precarious situation, most of which involved an explosion of some kind, often in the kitchen.

This came to mind this past week when I had an urge to “be creative” with stirring up new recipes. One year at one of our beloved Helen Carter’s memorable Halloween parties, my fun friend Eileen Harpster came in a costume as a cook who had created a disaster in the kitchen.

She had on a burned lab coat with smudges all over her coat and herself and was carrying one of my cookbooks (and I think it had a name tag with my name on it).

I thought I might have to call Eileen this past week to borrow that outfit. However, all I needed was a roll of paper towels and a mop to restore some sanity to the kitchen.

The two recipes that came from my few hours of experimentation are the two I am sharing with you. The day I made both was either the day that the temperature was 12 degrees or the day that it poured rain for 24 hours.

The first is a hot fruity drink I love to keep on hand to warm body, soul and hands (by holding the hot cup of liquid.)

Spicy Cider

48 ounces apple juice

16 ounces cranberry juice

1 can (12 ounces) frozen pineapple juice concentrate

3-4 cinnamon sticks

2 tablespoons whole cloves or 1 teaspoon ground cloves (or more to taste)

1 quart water

Place all ingredients in a large pot or stew pan

Bring to boil. Stir to mix. Simmer for 1 hour (or longer). Serve hot. I cannot tell you how many servings there are because that depends on size of servings. Will keep for 2 weeks if refrigerated.

The other recipe I tried is a soup with no meat (but with chicken broth for which you can substitute vegetable broth to go vegetarian), so the price is reduced somewhat. Some groups are suggesting a meatless day once a week-I believe “Meatless Monday” has become a popular phrase. If your household is made up of carnivores, there might be a problem for you with this.

Hearty Corn Chowder

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 stick butter

4 cups water

2 heaping tablespoons chicken bouillon base (or vegetable base) base

8 ounces cream cheese cut into 2-inch cubes

2 cans (15 ounces each) cream-style corn

1 can (15 ounces) whole kernel corn with liquid

1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk

1/3 cup instant potato flakes (see note)

1 teaspoon seasoned salt

1/2 teaspoon black or white ground pepper

Sauté onions and celery in butter in 4 quart or more pot until tender. Add water and bouillon base. Simmer covered for 30 minutes. Add cream cheese, evaporated milk and stir until cream cheese is melted. Do not boil. Add cans of corn, potato flakes and seasonings. Simmer, but do not bring to boil.

Note: You can use cooking oil instead of butter, but butter is better.

Also, you can use cornstarch to thicken instead of potato flakes. If using cornstarch, use about 1/4 cup mixed with part of water. I like to use potato flakes (instant potatoes).