Make-ahead layered salad

1/2 -1 head of lettuce torn

5 stalks of celery chopped

1 green pepper chopped

1 small red onion chopped

1 pkg frozen green peas

9 slices bacon cooked and crumbled

1/2 cup cashews chopped

1 pt of mayo  (kraft of course)

3 tbsp sugar

1/4 tsp oregano

1/4 tsp garlic salt

1/2 tsp salt

6 oz parmesan cheese grated

In clear glass bowl, place lettuce until bowl is 2/3 full.  sprinkle next 6 ingredients on top in in layers.  Mix the mayo, sugar,oregano, and salts in small bowl. spread over mixture in bowl.  Sprinkle cheese on top.  Cover and enjoy.

Best if it is made a day ahead. A favorite at family gatherings, little ever left over.

Strawberry Trifle

1 quart strawberries hulled*

2 Tablespoons  confectioners sugar

1 cup milk

1 cup sour cream

1 package (3 3/4 oz) vanilla instant pudding

1 package (10 3/4 oz) pound cake frozen

4 tablespoons sherry or orange juice

1 cup heavy cream

2 table confectioners sugar

Slice strawberries transfer to a bowl & combine with sugar.

Add milk, sour cream and pudding mix.  Do not over mix. Should  thicken in about 1 minute.

Slice pound cake into 1/4 inch slices.  Position  half the slices into the bottom  and partially up sides of a 3 qt casserole or trifle bowl. Slices may overlap slightly.

Drizzle with 2 Tablespoons sherry.  Cover with half of the pudding, and then half of the strawberries. Repeat layers using remaining cake slices, sherry, pudding and fruit.

In small mixing bowl combine heavy cream and confectioners sugar. Using mixer, whip cream until stiff. Decorate surface of trifle with large dollops of whipped cream or flute through pastry tube.  (I just put on top and decorate with some strawberries).

Refrigerate until ready to serve.   Makes 12 ( 3/4 cup) servings

*Peaches, blueberries or various combinations may be used  Do not slice blueberries.

Hot Holiday Punch

1 large bottle Cranberry Juice
1 large can Pineapple Juice
1 large bottle Apple Juice
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp cloves
4 or 5 Cinnamon Sticks
1 quart Water

Pour all liquids in percolator. In basket of said percolater, put brown sugar, cloves, and cinnamon sticks. Perk at 15 minutes. Longer it perks, the better the punch. Unless all liquid steams out, then the worse the gunk.

Fireside Coffee

2 cups Instant Cocoa Mix
1 cup Instant Coffee
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
2 cups of Coffee Creamer
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 1/2 cup or less of Sugar (according to preference)
Mix together. Use 3 - 4 tsp per cup of boiling water. Guaranteed to warm the spirits on a wintery day.

Green Bean Voodoo

Ingredients:
1 lb Frozen Green Beans
1 stick Butter
1/2 tsp salt & pepper
4 strips of Bacon, chopped
1/2 diced Onion
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 can of cashews
1 can mushrooms

Boil/Steam beans according to directions on package. Chop and dice bacon and brown in a large saucepan. Add butter, melt over low heat. Add onion and brown sugar and cook until onions are transparent. Add Worcestershire Sauce, salt and pepper, and mushrooms and cook only for a few minutes. Do not want to overcook mushrooms or for the cashews to get very soft. Drain beans and place in large casserole dish. Pour mixture over beans and serve hot. A favorite at dinner parties and frequent requests for the recipe.