Well, friends I have just come across, for $5.95 believe it or not, one of those old “gem” cookbooks. I found it in a thrift store and, I might tell you, this is one of the BIG reasons I go thrift store shopping. It was published in 1968 by a woman’s club in a small town in Maryland and it is titled “Sharing Recipes.” I will be doing just that in recipes to come. I just love this old book, and I hope you will love and use some of the recipes too. BTW-easy to modify for vegetarian or pesceterian.

Vegetable Tacos

Vegetable tacos are so easy, yummy, and versatile. What a great way to clean out your fridge and have a super meal. BTW-Just add ground beef, shredded pork, or chicken and this becomes a great meal for those of you who eat meat. Pescatarians: add a little salmon.

1. Taco shell-For tacos I like the small round flour tortillas but this recipe works for burritos too and that opens tons of kinds of tortillas.
2. Any or all veggie fillings: Corn, squash, onion, cauliflower, shredded carrots or cabbage, mushrooms, broccoli, shredded zucchini, and I could go on and on, and so can YOU! (Cooked or raw)
3. Again, your choice: rice, black beans, refried beans, lentils, veggie ground beef, Spanish rice, and on and on.
4. Condiments-This is up to you also, and optional but I like to put out guacamole, salsa, chopped tomato, and lettuce.

All of this is VERY easy and takes no more than a few minutes. Taco, burrito, even quesadilla!! I use some variation of this once a week and have never had a complaint. Give this a try.

Everybody makes deviled eggs and we all have our special ways. One friend of mine always adds just a hint of horse radish, for example. I like this recipe because it is really tasty and very easy.

1. Mayo-I use Dukes.
2. Just a little bit of pickle juice and just a dab of chopped pickles. I use dill.
3. Yellow Mustard-Only use yellow. I like French’s
4. As many eggs as you need.

I have not included amounts with these ingredients because we make anywhere from 6 to 6 dozen at a time. Boil the eggs hard and carefully cut in half and remove yolks. Mash the yolks with the four ingredients and fill the egg white halves. I sprinkle with a bit of paprika or dried parsley. YUM!

Cool Whip Easy Strawberry Trifle

I know, I know, Cool Whip is not really a health food. I can’t help myself sometimes. It is really good and very versatile. You can do sooo much with it. Try this and get raves but don’t tell it is so quick and easy. (I cheated a bit, it has 5 ingredients.)

1. 1 package Jello instant pudding-vanilla
2. 1 1/2 cups cold milk. (I know the recipe on the package calls for 2.)
3. 2 cups thawed Cool Whip
4. Store bought angel food or pound cake ( I like pound cake.)
5. 3 cups sliced strawberries

Beat milk, 1/2 of the Cool Whip, and pudding mix and milk with a whisk for 2 minutes. Layer up in a large clear bowl starting with the cake and finish with the remaining Cool Whip. This dessert is so pretty in a clear bowl and is also very lite. (I do cheat and say this is four ingredients because I always buy the pound cake-Sorry)

Cookies From Cake Mix

This is from Hints From Heloise and she says it is one of her most requested recipes. I have done it often and my favorite is Devil’s Food cake mix.

1. One box of cake mix-any kind you like
2. 2 eggs
3. 1/2 cup vegetable oil-I use canola oil as it does not have an oil flavor

That’s it! Preheat oven to 350 and mix only these ingredients in a bowl. Do NOT add any of the cake mix items. Drop the batter by spoonful onto your ungreased cookie sheet about 2 1/2 inches apart. The cookies do spread a bit. Bake 8 to 10 minutes but Heloise says keep an eye on them because they brown quickly. I watch the edges. They can be stored in a tupperware or the like container and freeze nicely!

Boy, thanks for all of the comments about the Four ingredient Recipes. I will start to post more today!!

I love quesadillas because there is really no recipe. All you need is two of any type of tortilla. I use the 8 inch flour but others prefer the big spinach or herb variety. It really doesn’t matter at all.

I start with a frying pan and a little canola oil-just enough to make the pan shine. I put in a dab and swirl the pan with a paper towel, but then I try to use very little oil. Put one tortilla in the warm pan and sprinkle whatever filling you like. I like cheese and olives. My family likes ham and swiss. My grandson likes TUNA!!! Anyway, put the other tortilla on top and press with a spatula until it seems warm. Flip and continue to heat until heated through. Serve with chips and salsa. This is the world’s easiest dinner and each person can have just what they want!

Often it is really hard to buy just that right granola bar that does not have too many calories, too much fat, or -ouch-cost $3.50!! I also do not like many of the granola bar recipes that call for exotic ingredients and take forever to make/bake and then turn out to be ugh. We all have a favorite granola cereal, so let’s cut out the middle man as i say so often. Let’s do it ourselves Yes, a DIY granola bar.

2 cups of your favorite granola cereal-Oh, did I just say YOUR favorite? Why yes, I did!

2 eggs

That’s it. Just combine cereal and eggs and pour into a greased 8 inch square pan. BTY you can see that is is easy to make more-just keep doubling the recipe two for two. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes and seperate edges from the pan and cut into bars while still warm. I like to put a bit of honey on these bars or some jam. My grandson likes peanut butter and my husband likes them just plain. Enjoy!