PAM'S PINTO BEANS

• 1 pound dry pinto beans, about 2-1/3 cups
• 2 quarts of tap water

·        1/4 C. bacon grease.

·        1 1/2 tsp. salt

·        1/2 tsp. pepper

·        1/2 tsp. garlic powder

·        1/2 C. chopped onion

·        1/2 C. chopped green sweet pepper

·        1 tsp. sugar

·        1/2 C. ketchup

Soak the beans in 2 quarts of cold water overnight, or in 2 quarts of boiling water for an hour or two. After soaking, or the next day, bring the beans to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce the heat, so the beans merely simmer. Cover and simmer for half an hour. Then add remaining ingredients. Cover again and simmer for another 45 minutes to an hour. The beans should be tender and fragrant. Bite into one to see if it is cooked though. When they are tender, they are ready to serve.

Banana Sheet Cake

Ingredients: 2½ cups flour 1½ cups sugar 1¼ teaspoons baking powder 1¼ teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup margarine 2/3 cup buttermilk or sour milk 1¼ cups bananas 2 eggs 1/2 cup nuts Frosting: 8 oz. cream cheese 3/4 stick oleo 4 cups powdered sugar 1½ cup nuts Directions:  Mix dry ingredients. Cream sugar, shortening and bananas, then add dry ingredients. Pour in a 10" x 15" pan. Bake at 350° F. until toothpick comes out clean. Cool and frost. Do not over-bake.

Bread-Machine Pizza Dough

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water (105° to 115°F)
• 2 Tbs. oil
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour or bread flour
• 2 1/4 tsp. (1 pkg.) active dry yeast

Directions:

In the bread pan of an electric bread machine, combine (in this order) the warm water, oil, salt, flour and yeast. Set the machine for Dough according to the manufacturer's instructions and process through the cycle.

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface. Punch down the dough and divide in half. Form each half into a ball and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 40 minutes. Roll out as directed in the pizza recipe. Brush with oil. Add toppings. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes two 12-inch rounds.

Scandanavian Almond Cake

1. Grease pan well and dust with flour. (6 quart Bundt pan) Double recipe for full-size bundt pan.

2. Beat well:

1 1/4 C sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 tsp almond extract

2/3 C. milk

3. Add:

1 1/4 flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

4. Add: I/2 C melted butter

5. Mix well with mixer. Pour into prepared pan.

6. Bake at 350° for 40 to 50 minutes. Edges must be golden brown. Cool in pan before removing. Cake will break if removed too soon.

7. Sprinkle with confectionary sugar.

Variations:

                -Sprinkle sliced almonds into bottom of prepared pan before pouring in batter.

                -Add 1/4 c. chopped maraschino cherries to batter before baking.

LEMON SQUARES

Ingredients:

1 C. flour

1/2 butter, softened

1/4 C. confectioners' sugar

2 eggs

1 C. granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

2 T. lemon juice

Directions:

Heat oven to 350°. Mix thoroughly flour, butter, and confectioners' sugar. Press evenly into bottom of ungreased square pan, 8x8x2 or 9x9x2 inches. Bake 20 minutes.

Beat remaining ingredients about 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Pour over hot crust. Bake about 25 minutes longer or until no imprint remains when touched lightly in center. Cool; cut into 16 squares.