Only a couple of weeks before fair and I hope you have been getting some exhibits ready. Just yesterday (Sunday) we were visiting about fairs in the area and without a doubt everyone agreed Murray County has the best fair around. I’m excited this year as there is more entertainment, demonstrations, games and much more during the day and evenings. I do know that we have the largest open class exhibit and it is due to those that have carried on the tradition for many years. Over the years I have been to all of the surrounding counties and a few others including the state fair as a judge and I was always impressed with the quality that is exhibited in our county. Times have changed and we don’t see much food preservation as in times past but other categories have been added to take up the space which is good and well used. Perhaps you have something of interest from the garden or flower bed, and of course, you can bake some cookies or bread even on entry day. The superintendents are available to help with entries and display ideas. Recently I read again the booklet by Anita Talsma Gaul, “Homely Girls and Pretty Babies, a History of the Murray county Fair”. Interesting to note at one time there was quite a battle between Currie and Slayton for the event. The fair struggled often during the early years because of the depression, drought, and of course the clash between Currie and Slayton. Fascinating reading at least for us that enjoy the fair.
Sunday I had the opportunity to attend the Hadley-Windom baseball game and later to two-year-old great-granddaughter Morgan’s birthday party. For lunch we had pigs in a blanket (hot dogs baked in crescent bread strips), a cheese hamburger dip and a corn dip, relishes and ice cream cake. It was fun to watch her unwrap the gifts and the excitement of each, especially the ones that would light up or make noise such as the toy vacuum sweeper.
The sweet corn is ready as are the tomatoes, beans, cabbage, cucumbers and all else. Eating is really good this time of the year.
Beef ‘n’ Bean Bake
l pound ground beef 8 corn tortillas (6 inch), cut
l can Beef & Bean Chili 1 inch pieces
3/4 cup Picante sauce 2/3 cup shredded cheddar 3/4 cup water cheese
Heat oven to 400º. Cook beef in skillet until well browned, stirring often to separate the meat. Pour off any fat.
Stir the chili, picante sauce, water, tortillas and half the cheese in the skillet. Pour the beef mixture into a 2-quart shallow baking dish. Cover. Bake for 30 minutes or until the mixture is hot and bubbling. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. 4 servings
Tomato Dill Bread
l package active dry yeast l tablespoon minced fresh
2 tablespoons sugar parsley
1/2 cup warm water l tablespoon minced fresh
1 1/2 cups chopped peeled dill
tomatoes l tablespoon minced fresh
2 tablespoons vegetable oil oregano
2 teaspoons salt
3 1/2 cups to 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3 tablespoons butter, melted
Dissolve yeast and sugar in water; set aside. In blender, puree tomatoes with oil, parsley, dill, oregano and salt. Add to yeast mixture. Add enough flour to make a smooth dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about l hour. Punch down and divide in half; shape into loaves. Place into two greased 8×4 loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about l hour. Bake at 400º for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350º; bake for 25 minutes longer or until done. Brush with melted butter. Yield: 2 loaves.
Granola Bars
5 cups uncooked quick cooking oatmeal
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup corn syrup
l cup peanut butter
l teaspoon cinnamon
Combine oatmeal, coconut, walnuts, raisins, and chocolate chips in a large bowl. Chill in freezer until cold all the way through. Heat together honey, corn syrup, peanut butter and cinnamon until you can mix them together, microwave works good. Pour over chilled mix. Mix quickly before chocolate chips melt. Pat into 9 x 13 inch pan sprayed with cooking spray. If bars are cut into 18 equal bars, each bar has 240 calories. Wrap individually or place in a baggie. Servings 18.
