A to Z Recipes
Newsletter

Publisher's Desk
Ramblings
Did You Know?
The Mail Box
Discussion Forum
Next Monthly Theme
Crazy Corner
How Can You Help?
Your Favorites
Heart Healthy
For Two
Publisher's Choice
Archives

Good morning to everyone. This issue is later than usual in getting to you. I have begun to acquire kids over the past few days. As you know, kids take time. So, the more I acquire, the more time they take. It is fun to have kids around. It's also gonna be fun when there are fewer, too! Maybe the "Mother Fairy" (sister to the "Tooth Fairy"?) will see fit to deposit my kids elsewhere before their school break is over so this mother can have a break?!?!

Today's issue of A to Z Recipes should provide something useful to you. Sarah from Georgia provided us with a Ramblings selection that is an excellent read.?  The Did You Know? selection submitted by Joyce in Illinois is great.?  The recipes are great, too; there's a couple of emails in the Mail Box, as well as additional opinions placed in the Opinion Poll (the link for it is in the Mail Box section). I've shared some funnies with you in the Crazy Corner which I hope will make you giggle.

I hope you have a great day. As soon as I line out something for dinner to feed the army of teens here, I report for duty on an evening watch. I'll have a few days off later in which to work on the format and your suggestions to make it better for you. Please join us here tomorrow. You never know what you're going to find, right?

Having trouble placing your vote?
Vote for this Ezine at the Cumuli Ezine Finder.

"It is a requirement that items sent for posting NOT be from other newsletters."

(To see web version of newsletter click here.)
The print is much larger and in bolder type for those with vision impairments, too.

If you are having trouble receiving issues, please click here for assistance.

Anolon Professional 7-1/2-Quart Everything Pan
List Price: $180.00
Price: $39.99
You Save: $140.01 (78%)
Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping
Your purchase supports A to Z Recipes

Did You Know?...

The Magic of VODKA!

(I wasn't sure whether this should be in Ramblings or the Crazy Corner. Hmmm...~M~)

Shared by Joyce, IL

Thought you would enjoy this ...
I never knew there were so many uses for Vodka.

1. To remove a bandage painlessly,
saturate the bandage with vodka.
The solvent dissolves the adhesive.

2. To clean the caulking around bathtubs
and showers, fill a trigger-spray bottle
with vodka, spray the caulking, let
set five minutes and wash clean. The
alcohol in the vodka kills mold and mildew.

3. To clean your eyeglasses, simply
wipe the lenses with a soft, clean
cloth dampened with vodka. The
alcohol in the vodka cleans the
glass and kills germs.

4. Prolong the life of razors by
filling a cup with vodka and letting
your safety razor blade soak in the
alcohol after shaving.
The vodka disinfects the
blade and prevents rusting.

5. Spray vodka on vomit stains,
scrub with a brush, then blot dry.

6. Using a cotton ball, apply
vodka to your face as an astringent
to cleanse the skin and tighten pores.

7. Add a jigger of vodka to a
12-ounce bottle of shampoo. The
alcohol cleanses the scalp, removes
toxins from hair, and stimulates the
growth of healthy hair.

8. Fill a sixteen-ounce trigger-spray
bottle and spray bees or
wasps to kill them.

9. Pour one-half cup vodka and
one-half cup water in a Ziplock
freezer bag, and freeze for a slushy,
refreezable ice pack for aches,
pain, or black eyes.

10. Fill a clean, used mayonnaise
jar with freshly packed lavender flowers,
fill the jar with vodka, seal the lid
tightly and set in the sun for three days.
Strain liquid through a coffee
filter, then apply the tincture
to aches and pains.

11. Make your own mouthwash
by mixing nine tablespoons powered
cinnamon with one cup vodka.

Seal in an airtight container
for two weeks. Strain through
a coffee filter. Mix with warm
water and rinse your mouth.
Don't swallow.

12. Using a q-tip, apply vodka
to a cold sore to help it dry out.

13. If a blister opens, pour vodka
over the raw skin as a local anesthetic
that also disinfects the exposed dermis.

14. To treat dandruff, mix one
cup vodka with two teaspoons
crushed rosemary; let sit for two days,
strain through a coffee filter and
massage into your scalp and let dry.

15. To treat an earache put a
few drops of vodka in your ear.
Let set for a few minutes.
Then drain. The vodka will kill the
bacteria that is causing pain
in your ear.

16. To relieve a fever, use
a washcloth to rub vodka on your
chest and back as a liniment.

17. To cure foot odor,
wash your feet with vodka.

18. Vodka will disinfect and
alleviate a jellyfish sting.

19. Pour vodka over an area affected
with poison ivy to remove the urushiol
oil from your skin.

20. Swish a shot of vodka over an
aching tooth. Allow your gums to
absorb some of the alcohol to
numb the pain.

OR JUST DO WHAT I DO!!!

Or bypass all the inconvenience
and drink the stuff! You'll be
entirely disinfected from the inside
out, but when you pee, make sure
to hit that mildew in the
shower. It will remove the mildew,
and empty your bladder in one easy step!

The Mail Box...

Welcome to The Mail Box where a2z family members may send mail for all to read. It is expected that opinions, suggestions, etc. posted here be done with kindness and respect for all involved. If you have a message for the group, please send it to maggieblackwell@hotmail.com with "Mail Box" as subject. As in ALL items for posting, your first name and location must be included in the message. Posting is at the discretion of the publisher.

If you would like to view the current Reader Opinion Poll on the web site, visit this MailBox link.


NEW MAIL:

Maggie,

I just wanted to say a big thank you for your issues on canned tuna recipes - I will keep and try every single one!

While I always have tuna in the cupboard and I have some recipes to cook it, its always wonderful to get new ones. And all are easy and economical.

Thanks so much,
HJ in Australia


Heidi,

You are such a dear to write. Lots of folks love tuna...and lots don??™t lol. I'm so glad it helped you.

Maggie



To Ann, in Florida: Among the thousands of recipes I have identified as favorites are those for Gingerbread. Thank you for those you submitted to a2z recipes and published in Monday's issue. Ginger is a magnificent herb and worthy of a special issue (Lord, forgive me, for I know not what I am letting myself in for -- and also for dangling that preposition!). And I like to grow my own!

Larry Holmes, Ontario, Canada

Click here to submit an item for posting in this section.
"It is a requirement that items sent for posting NOT be from other newsletters."



The Best Recipe
By Editors of Cook's Illustrated Magazine
30% off through Amazon.com
Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping
Your purchase supports A to Z Recipes

Discussion Forum

Our discussion forum at QuickTopic is where a2z??™ers go to meet others, swap recipes, and give feedback about what is going on in A to Z Recipes. To join in at QT (or just to read) use your web browser to go to:

A to Z Recipes Discussion Forum

Also, the Florida Bunch are planning another A to Z Family Reunion in September. Guess who the "guest of honor" is? Go to the QT and find out!

You don't have to register or sign in, and you can choose to receive email for newly posted messages -- just click the Subscribe button when you get there.

NOTE:
Maybe once you get to the site using the above link, you could add it to favorites. Links that are easy to find are more likely to be used again.

Next Monthly Theme...

Fresh Is Best!

What a great theme topic as we all know, fresh is best! So, what are we looking for in this month's theme? We would like recipes using fresh ingredients. No canned vegetables, fruit, etc. It would be ideal if all ingredients were fresh, although some seasonings and spices that are dried may be used. This is great for those of you who, like me, shy away from a lot of canned goods. A peek in my pantry will find very few canned or packaged goods, but almost never a packaged gravy, sauce, etc. Let's have some fun with this theme while the picking is great for fresh fruits and vegetables.

Here is the recipe submission set of rules:

A to Z Recipes continues with its popular Theme Issues. We will share theme recipes and post them on the first Sunday of each month. Send your recipes no later than the last Friday of each month to have them posted in the next monthly theme issue. You may send in TWO of your favorite theme recipes and in ONE email. If the number of recipes exceeds those needed in the issue, the publisher will post as many from every submitter as possible and save the remaining recipes for the following Sundays of that month. The rules for recipe submissions for the monthly theme issues are the same as ALL recipes submitted for posting.

The rules are as follows:

As a service to your fellow readers, please send only recipes that are in a form that others could easily copy and save for their own use. Recipes that would require a lot of editing or cleaning up or use non-standard measurements should not be submitted. Recipes without a name and location of sender may NOT be posted or posted without any credit given. There will be NO recipes posted that are from other recipe-zines. A to Z Recipes protects the privacy of its readers and does NOT publish email addresses. There will be no exceptions.

The deadline for August's theme issue is Friday, July 30th.

Theme recipes must have subject: "Fresh Is Best" and will be posted on Sunday, August 1st.

As usual, only recipes are to be sent to: A to Z Recipes Inbox

Click here to submit an item for posting in this section.
"It is a requirement that items sent for posting NOT be from other newsletters."



Food Network Kitchens Cookbook: Fresh Ideas, Bold Flavors, Tips & Techniques
List Price: $29.95
Price: $20.37
You Save: $9.58 (32%)
Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping

Crazy Corner...

Yes, the Publisher giggles


Doctor's Visit

I sat there waiting for my new doctor to make his way through the file that contained my very extensive medical history.

After he finished all seventeen pages, he looked at me and said, "You look better in person than you do on paper."




Hmmm...

People are more violently opposed to fur than to leather because it's safer to harass rich women than motorcycle gangs.




You've Turned Into A Mom When:

You automatically double-knot everything you tie.

You find yourself humming the Barney song as you do the dishes.

You hear a baby cry in the grocery store, and you start to gently sway back and forth, back and forth. However, your children are at school!

You actually start to like the smell of strained carrots mixed with applesauce.

You weep through the scene in Dumbo when his mom is taken away, not to mention what Bambi does to you.

You get soooo into crafts you contemplate writing a book called 101 Fun Crafts to do with Dryer Lint and Eggshells.

You spend a half hour searching for your sunglasses only to have your teenager say, "Mom, why don't you wear the ones you pushed up on your head?"

You are out for a nice romantic meal with your husband, enjoying some real adult conversation, when suddenly you realize that you've reached over and started to cut up his steak!

Click here to submit an item for posting in this section.
"It is a requirement that items sent for posting NOT be from other newsletters."



Love is not blind.
That's why they make lingerie...

How Can I Help?...

Placing a vote takes only a moment and helps promote A to Z Recipes.

Having trouble using the method above for placing your vote?
Vote for this Ezine at the Cumuli Ezine Finder.

A to Z Recipes operates solely through reader support. You may donate through PayPal, Amazon Honor System, or other methods listed.

To make cash donations using other methods, click here.

Your Favorites...


Looking for a particular recipe, ingredient or submitter?
Search A to Z Recipes Site and Newsletters:

Site search Web search

powered by FreeFind

APPETIZER FOR THE COOKING IMPAIRED

~Submitted by Jessica, Corfu, Greece

Fresh mushrooms, remove stems, save for later use
Philadelphia cream cheese
Sliced almonds
Parmesan cheese
Butter or margarine, melted

Stuff mushrooms with cream cheese, roll in melted butter or margarine. Top mushroom with a sliced almond and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes

DELUXE ITALIAN CHEESEBURGERS

~Submitted by Larry Holmes, Ontario, Canada

2 pounds lean ground beef
?? cup chili sauce
1 onion, peeled, chopped and cooked
1 garlic clove, smashed and chopped
?? cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons oil
tomato slices
mozzarella slices
hamburger buns

Place meat in mixing bowl and add chili sauce, onions, and garlic. Mix well, then add Parmesan cheese. Mix and shape into patties.

Brush patties with oil. Cook on barbecue, 3 to 4 minutes per side depending on size. 2 minutes before end of cooking add slices of tomato and top with mozzarella cheese. Serve on hamburger buns.

Serves 4

WHITE JELL-O CAKE

(See < 21063/39085_WhiteJelloCake.bmp Cake.bmp" target="new">photo)

~Submitted by Jean, Syracuse, NY

2 baked (9-inch) round white cake layers, cooled
2 cups boiling water
1 pkg. (8-serving size) Jell-O Brand Lemon Flavor Gelatin
1 tub (8 oz.) Cool Whip Whipped Topping, thawed

PLACE each cake layer, top side up, in clean 9-inch round cake pan. Pierce cake with large fork at 1/2-inch intervals.

STIR boiling water into gelatin in medium bowl at least 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Carefully pour gelatin evenly over cake layers. Refrigerate 3 hours.

DIP one of the cake pans in warm water 10 seconds; unmold onto serving plate. Spread with about 1 cup of the whipped topping. Unmold second cake layer; carefully place on first cake layer. Frost top and side of cake with remaining whipped topping. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until ready to serve. Decorate as desired. Store leftover cake in refrigerator.

WALNETTOS

~Submitted by Shirley, Bellingham, WA

Got this from a great friend a long time ago. She made lots for gifts and I added to my gift boxes too.

1 c. real butter
2 1/4 packed brown sugar
2 Tbs cocoa
1 c. white Karo
1-15 oz can eagle brand milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup chopped walnuts (not to fine)

Melt butter, add the sugar and salt and cocoa. Stir till combined. Blend in corn syrup. Gradually add the milk. Stir constantly over medium heat till it reaches 245F on a candy thermometer. About 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla. Stir in the chopped nuts. Pour in a 9x9 inch butter pan. Cool and cut in squares. Wrap in wax paper Note: If your lucky enough to find walnut extract, add a few drops to really get the walnut flavor.

PEACH SNOWBALLS

~Submitted by Barbara, Chula Vista, CA

6 servings

6 fresh peaches
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup small curd cottage cheese
2 tablespoons toasted, slivered almonds
2 tablespoons golden raisins
1 tablespoon chopped candied cherries
3/4 cup shredded coconut

ORANGE CREAM TOPPING

1 cup dairy sour cream
1/4 teaspoon grated orange rind
1/4 cup orange juice

Peel, halve and pit peaches; sprinkle with lemon juice to prevent discoloring. Mix cottage cheese with almonds, raisins and cherries. Fill centers of peaches and put 2 halves together, forming 6 whole peaches again; roll in coconut, coating well. Serve as a dessert or salad with Orange Cream Topping made by blending sour cream with orange rind and orange juice.

Click here to submit an item for posting in this section.
"It is a requirement that items sent for posting NOT be from other newsletters."

Heart Healthy...

SUGAR - FREE VANILLA COOKIES

~Submitted by Jean, Syracuse, NY

Yield - 10 dozen

Ingredients:

8 oz. Honey
10 oz. Butter
8 oz. Shortening (or margarine)
5 lg. Eggs
1 lg. Vanilla Bean or 1 T. Vanilla Extract
pinch Salt
few drops Lemon Extract
1 lb. 6 oz. Bread Flour
Optional Nuts

Method:

Split the vanilla bean in half and combine it in a sauce pan with 1 cup of water and 4 ounces of sugar, bring it to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Let cool, this mixture can be used in place of artificial vanilla extract for all of your recipes. Save the vanilla bean in a sealed container, it can be used again.

In a mixer with the paddle attachment cream together butter and shortening, add honey, salt, 1 T. of Vanilla sugar syrup and flavorings. Beat on high speed until light and fluffy, scrape bowl several times. Add eggs one at a time, fold in flour last. Place dough in pastry bag with large star tip.

Grease and flour cookie sheets. Pipe out dough into uniform shapes and sizes.

Bake at 375 degree??™s F. until lightly brown. If you like -- place half cherry, candy or nuts on a few cookies before baking. Cool immediately on baking rack. Remove from sheet pan after 20 minutes. Diabetics beware, this recipe uses honey which does contain natural sugars, so adjust you counts accordingly!

Click here to submit an item for posting in this section.
"It is a requirement that items sent for posting NOT be from other newsletters."

For Two...

BRAISED CELERY AND CARROTS

~Submitted by Lillian, FL

Source: Southern Living Cookbook For Two

2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
2 celery hearts, cut in half lengthwise into fourths
2 to 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into matchstick pieces
?? Cup chicken broth
?? tsp. salt
?? tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 Tbsp. chopped parsley

Melt butter in large heavy skillet or saucepan. Add celery and carrots. Stir to combine, and coat with butter.

Add chicken broth, salt and pepper. Cover and cook over medium heat about 20 to 25 minutes or until vegetables can be pierced with a fork.. Carefully turn celery hearts and carrots once during cooking. Remove vegetables to a warm serving platter. Sprinkle with parsley.

Serves 2

Click here to submit an item for posting in this section.
"It is a requirement that items sent for posting NOT be from other newsletters."



Publisher's Choice...

BEEF CASSOULET WITH HERB DUMPLINGS

( 21063/39084_BeefCassouletHerbDumplings.jpg Dumplings.jpg" target="new">photo)

Plump biscuits cook on top of hearty hamburger stew. Its comfort food for a weeknight supper!

1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup water
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 medium celery stalks, thinly sliced (1/2 cup)
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 can (15 to 16 ounces) navy or kidney beans, drained
1 can (14 ounces) beef broth
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) whole tomatoes, undrained
2 cups Original Bisquick?® mix
2/3 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/4 teaspoon dried basil leaves

1. Cook beef in 4-quart Dutch oven over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until brown; drain.

2. Stir water, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon basil, the garlic, celery, onion, beans, broth and tomatoes into beef, breaking up tomatoes. Heat to boiling; reduce heat.

3. Stir remaining ingredients until soft dough forms. Drop dough by 12 spoonfuls onto beef mixture (do not drop directly into liquid). Cook uncovered over low heat 10 minutes. Cover and cook 10 minutes longer.

Serves 6
1 Serving: Calories 440 (Calories from Fat 160); Fat 18g (Saturated 6g); Cholesterol 45mg; Sodium 1340mg; Potassium 820mg; Carbohydrate 51g (Dietary Fiber 7g); Protein 26g
% Daily Value: Vitamin A 8%; Vitamin C 10%; Vitamin D 6%; Calcium 20%; Iron 28%; Folic Acid 40%
Diet Exchanges: 3 Starch; 2 Medium-Fat Meat; 1 Vegetable; 1 Fat

Source: Betty Crocker Kitchens

Special Offer for A to Z Recipes Subscribers!!!
Get Over 100 Cookbooks For One Low Price
And Nothing Else To Purchase!
Unlike millions of plain old recipe sites,
you can download entire cookbooks with just one click!
Just about all of our cookbooks are in PDF format,
so both Windows and Mac users can enjoy the library.
Click Here!

Join The E-Cookbooks Library
For Only $17.97
Free Bonus!!
Order Now and get the entire library on a
CD-ROM for Windows! (a $24.95 value) You will
still have lifetime online access to download all
the new additions! A fantastic value for only $17.97
Click Here Now To Join!
(Credit Cards and Checks Accepted)
~A to Z Recipes will benefit from each sale.~

Always remember:
Do NOT respond to this newsletter by hitting "REPLY". Please use the appropriate email address. Thanks!

Search for interesting ezines and newsletters here.


Looking for a particular recipe, ingredient or submitter?
Search A to Z Recipes Site and Newsletters:

Site search Web search

powered by FreeFind

A to Z Recipes Website | View recent issue archives on our web site | View recent issue archives at Zinester | View vintage issue archives at Topica | Shop with Us | Subscribe to Newsletter | Unsubscribe from A to Z Recipes | Recipe Collection | Contact List Owner | Make a Submission | Support this publication | Reciprocal Links