A Culinary Genealogy

1 cup hot milk 2 tbsp. butter 2 tbsp. flour 1/4 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. pepper 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese Scald the milk, about three minutes in the microwave. Make sure it doesn't boil over. Melt the butter in a small bowl in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Add the flour to the butter and stir until completely mixed. Stir the hot milk gradually into the butter-flour mixture until thoroughly mixed. Stir in the grated cheddar cheese until completely mixed. Return bowl to microwave and cook on high, stopping to stir every 30 seconds, until the sauce reaches the desired consistency. -- Meredith Joy Sproul Friedman, 1948-

"There was an old man called Patrick McGillicuddy. He was an old crank an awful old fuddy-duddy. He took a skid while chasing a kid, and these are the remains of the old busy-body." 1) Eyes--peeled grapes 2) Hair--rope, unknotted 3) Teeth--corn 4) Leg bone--bone 5) Veins and arteries--macaroni 6) Liver--liver 7) Hand--glove with jello 8) Tongue--oyster -- Florence Jessie Meredith Sproul, "Grandma Sproul," 1914-2004 When I was about 10 years old, in 1958, my mother, Grandma Sproul, had a Halloween party for me and my friends. We lived at 406 Clarendon Place, Orange, NJ. The house had a front to back hallway that was as wide as a room. At the back of the hallway, she had taken my brother Walter's Lincoln Log box and placed it on two saw horses, with Grandpa Sproul's help. Grandpa Meredith had made the box for Walter and it was the size of a small coffin. She arranged chairs, auditorium style, in front of the box. All of the lights were turned off and she...

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Melt one stick of butter in a baking dish. I use a rectangular Pyrex dish. Place 4 to 6 cups of fruit in a cooking pot. Sweeten the fruit to taste and heat on the stove. Do not boil. Beat together: 1 cup of flour 1 cup of milk dash of salt 1 cup of sugar 2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp vanilla Pour the batter on top of the melted butter in the dish. Spoon the heated fruit on top of the batter. You can use a slotted spoon for less syrup in the cobbler. Place in oven for 25-30 minutes or until nicely browned on top and bottom. I save the leftover syrup from the fruit and it can be spooned over the cobbler or over the ice cream that you might put on top of the cobbler. -- Meredith Joy Sproul Friedman, 1948- This recipe brings back memories of living in Northern California. In the summer, we would always take trips to Winters, California. We would know we had reached our destination when all we could see were orchards on both sides of the road. We would ...

1 lb. boneless round steak 2 tbsp. butter 1 can mushroom soup 1/4 cup milk 1 tbsp. tomato paste 1 medium clove garlic, minced 1/2 cup thinly sliced onion 1/2 cup sour cream 1 tbsp. dry sherry cooked noodles Freeze meat for 1 hour to firm (makes slicing easier). Slice into thin strips. In 2 quart round casserole, combine garlic and butter. Microwave on HIGH 1 to 2 minutes. Add meat and onion. Cover. Microwave on HIGH 3 to 4 minutes or until meat just looses its pink color. Stir in soup, sour cream, milk, sherry and tomato paste. Re-cover. Microwave on HIGH 7 to 9 minutes or until hot, stirring constantly. Let stand covered for 2 minutes. To serve: spoon over noodles. Makes about 3 1/2 cups or 4 servings. It is also tasty without the sherry. -- Meredith Joy Sproul Friedman, 1948-

Prepare basic crepes (see recipe on this blog) Prepare vegetables: Saute 4 sliced zucchini, 1 large sliced onion, 4 oz. mushrooms sliced. Salt and pepper to taste, 1/2 tsp. parsley and a touch of Italian seasoning. Prepare sauce: 2 tbsp. butter 3 tbsp. flour 1/2 tsp. salt 1 1/2 cups milk 2 eggs 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Melt butter in saucepan; stir in flour and salt. Gradually add milk. Cook, stirring constantly until sauce thickens and bubbles, about 1 minute. Beat eggs in medium bowl, gradually beat in 1/2 of the hot sauce, pour back in saucepan, stir in cheese. Final prep: Place crepe in the bottom of a deep pie pan. Spoon on some of the vegetable mix. Spoon on some sauce. Add another crepe, more vegetables, more sauce, etc. until all crepes and vegetables are used. Try to end with a crepe on top. Pour the remaining sauce over the top crepe, sprinkle with a little Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. -- Meredith Joy Sproul Friedman, 1948- Meredith l...

3 eggs 3/4 cups flour 1/4 tsp. salt 1 cup milk 2 tbsp. butter, melted 2 tbsp. sugar--optional Combine eggs, flour, salt, and 1/4 cup of milk (and sugar). Beat until smooth. Beat in melted butter and remaining milk. Drop by scant 1/4 cup full in crepe pan. Makes about 10 large crepes. -- Meredith Joy Sproul Friedman, 1948- Use this recipe to make "Zucchini Crepe Stack."

Boil sweet potatoes in skins until tender. Peel and mash as you would for mashed potatoes. Add as much butter and seasoning as desired. Use no milk. Cool slightly as it will measure easier. Make balls using 1/4 cup measure. Roll balls in chopped nuts and cool. Brown Sugar Glaze: Melt equal amounts of butter and brown sugar. Take one ball at a time and place in center of pan and pour glaze over ball. When glazed, remove to a muffin tin that has been lined with metal baking cups. Place in 350 degree oven until heated (no need for further cooking). Can be used immediately, put in the fridge overnight, or frozen. -- Meredith Joy Sproul Friedman, 1948-

1 small box of orange Jell-o (add Jell-o as a powder) 1 small can crushed pineapple--undrained 1 small can mandarin oranges--drained 1 small carton cottage cheese 1 cup miniature marshmallows 1 medium carton Cool Whip Mix together and refrigerate until ready to serve. --Meredith Joy Sproul Friedman, 1948-