I have had a very interesting morning at work. I sort of got carried away reading Murray County history and in it, I found our family with pictures of my grandparents, parents with their children. The pictures were great and my did we ever look young. Later I started to read some of the newspaper articles from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Years ago we printed some of it in a history column. So many fires, accidents, who visited whom, store ads with prices we can hardly believe. I certainly encourage anyone who is interested in history should to go to the museum as all of the articles were taken from the collections that have accumulated over the years. Most towns in the area had a newspaper such as the Hadley Pilot, Iona Journal, Slayton Gazette, etc. Lots of fires were recorded and of course who had visitors for the week or longer. I remember reading the paper my mother sent when I was in college and read out loud that Mrs. Reed had spotted a robin in her yard. My more “sophisticated” peers said that surely wasn’t in the paper, was it. I regarded any news from home was essential to keep in contact with my family. My mother also often wrote on the church bulletin in the margins the latest happenings.
We have had some good weather so the farmers have been able to get the crop in. It is nice to drive out and be able to row the fields. I understand our area is quite dry now compared to those east of here.
I made the rhubarb torte for Memorial Day picnic. We decided from now on the menu should be more planned for more variety as we aren’t so many as years ago when all the kids came also. We had plenty to eat but could have used a bit more variety. I also brought the asparagus and thought there wouldn’t be anymore but a couple of days later I was able to pick another handful. They advise to only pick it from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day so the roots can prepare for another year. Next will be radishes and lettuce and soon strawberries. I planted the radishes in the carrot row as they come up quickly and mark the row. It appears the carrots and beets are much slower to sprout. If I don’t get any there will be plenty at Farmer’s Market soon.
Spaghetti Pie
6 oz. spaghetti, cooked, drained and rinse (3 1/4 cups)
2 tablespoons margarine
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 well-beaten eggs
1/4 cup green pepper
1/2 cup green onion
1 pound hamburger
1 cup cut-up tomatoes, canned and drained
1 can (6 oz.) can tomato paste
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 cup cottage cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Stir margarine into hot spaghetti. Stir in Parmesan cheese and eggs. For crust in buttered 10-inch pie pan.
Cook beef, onion. Drain. Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, oregano and garlic salt.
Spread cottage cheese over bottom of spaghetti crust. Fill with meat and tomato mixture and top with shredded cheese. Bake at 350º for 30 minutes until bubbly. 4 generous servings.
Broccoli Salad
4 cups fresh broccoli cut into small pieces
1 Granny Smith apple (chopped, not peeled
1 red apple
1 cup red seedless grapes, halved
1 cup green seedless grapes, halved
3/4 cup golden raisins
3/4 cup slivered almonds
3 green onions chopped
1/2 pound bacon, fried crisp
Mix all ingredients together on salad plates. Pour on dressing just before serving.
Dressing: 1/2 cup sugar, l cup mayonnaise, and 2 tablespoons vinegar Mix all together and pour on salad just before serving.
Rhubarb Torte
Blend until crumbly:
1 cup flour
Dash of salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup butter
Pack into 9×9 inch pan. Bake at 325º for 20-25 minutes.
Combine in saucepan:
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1/3 cup cream (half &half or milk)
Add 3 egg yolks, slightly beaten and 2 1/4 cups finely diced rhubarb. Cook until mixture is thick and rhubarb is tender. Pour over baked crust. Top with meringue – 3 egg whites beaten stiff, add one tablespoon at a time 6 tablespoons sugar until smooth. Add 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar and place on top of rhubarb mixture. Place in oven until meringue is lightly brown.
