As little girls growing up in the small town of Lexington, Mississippi, we couldn’t wait to be old enough to join the Girl Scouts. I remember going to purchase my uniform and get my handbook, then anxiously awaiting the first meeting at the Girl Scout Hut. On meeting days, we all wore our uniforms to school feeling so grown up because we were all members of a very special group. One of the first things we did to help in our community was to organize and hold our very own blood drive. Each girl was responsible for signing up a certain number of people to come and donate blood. My mother had a very weak stomach, but was the very first one to sign up. Unfortunately, she gave about 2 tablespoons of blood and fainted — fell right out on the floor. Luckily, they didn’t hold it against me and I still got my Community Service Badge.
The next project was for each of us to do something on an individual basis to raise money to be used to help buy toys for needy families at Christmas. My mom was known to be one of the best cooks in town. We decided that she would make some homemade candy, I would sell chances, we would draw the winning name and the candy would be delivered that afternoon. Mother made divinity with chopped pecans and placed a red cherry on top of each candy. It was a beautiful holiday platter of Christmas divinity. My friend, Anne, and I went all over town selling chances, and I proudly raised a little over $10 — not too shabby for the year 1965. Later that day, I drew the winning name and was headed to deliver the candy. To say that I was clumsy as a child would be putting it mildly — I’m not that graceful now. I accidently tripped in a hole on my way to deliver the candy. But, like any good Scout, I stopped, picked all the grass out of the candy, re-applied the Saran wrap and made my delivery as promised. When I returned home, I casually mentioned what had happened. My mother was mortified. I can still see the look on her face. I told her not to worry because I really felt like I had picked out all the dirt and grass. She immediately called the “lucky winner,” explained what had happened, and promised her a brand- new batch of divinity the next day. Luckily, they didn’t hold that against me either, and I received my Helping Hand Badge.
To this day I am still trying to help out the Girl Scout organization whenever I can. Of course, I always help during cookie time! Several weeks ago, I ran across the cookbook entitled Cedar Point Palette. I purchased it about 20 years ago. It was published with the proceeds going to help the Girl Scout organization with special emphasis on the camp that was located in Grenada. It is a wonderful addition to my cookbook collection. There are some great things for the young and beginning cooks. I particularly liked it because even though I found some new recipes, there were quite a few old favorites that I had forgotten about. I’ve chosen three of my favorites. Hope you will give them a try. Thanks for Reading.
COPPER PENNIES
1 (10-ounce) can tomato soup
½ cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar
¾ cup vinegar
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Salt to taste
5 cups cooked sliced carrots (I use the canned)
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 onion, sliced
Combine the soup, oil, sugar, vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire and salt in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Pour over the carrots, bell pepper and onion that have been placed in a bowl. Chill thoroughly. Will keep in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks.
BROCCOLI CORNBREAD
2 (8-ounce) package corn bread mix
4 eggs
1 cup (2 sticks) margarine, melted
1 cup chopped onion
2 (10-ounce) package chopped broccoli, partially cooked and well drained
8 ounces cottage cheese
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Let stand for 5 minutes. Pour into a greased 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Bake at 425 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Slice into squares and serve.
CHESS SQUARES
1 package yellow cake mix
1 stick butter, melted
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (1-pound) box powdered sugar
Combine the cake mix, butter, 2 eggs, and ½ teaspoon vanilla in a bowl and mix well. Pat into a greased 13-by-9- inch baking dish.
Combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla and 2 eggs in a mixing bowl for 5 minutes. Pour over the first layer.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes, or until the middle is still gooey. Let stand for 2 hours until set. Cut into squares and serve.
