Helen's Crab Delight

Helen liked her crab!

Helen's Crab Delight

2 Tbls. chopped green pepper

2 Tbls. butter

2 Tbls. flour

1 cup strained tomatoes

1 cup grated cheese (your favorite)

2/3 cup milk, scalded

dash Cayenne

1/2 tsp. mustard

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 cup flaked crab meat

Brown green pepper in butter. Add flour, mix till smooth. Combine seasonings, cheese, and egg. Add to first mixture. *Cook over hot water 10 minutes. Stir constantly while slowly adding milk. Add crab meat, heat thoroughly. Serve in patty shells or on toast rounds. Serves 6.

*This is in a double boiler over hot water.

Helen's Deviled Crabs

This one just might be a good holiday casserole, or for those special occasions when you want a dish with a bit of oomph in it to please the palates of the picky.

Helen's Deviled Crabs

1/4 pound butter (1 stick)

4 Tbls. flour

3 cups milk

1 tsp. prepared mustard

1 1/2 Tbls. lemon juice

3 Tbls. Sherry

1 Tbls. minced parsley

6 diced hard-cooked eggs

3 cups crab meat

*Cook well butter, flour, milk. Add remaining ingerdients. Place in casserole and top with buttered bread crumbs. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

*Make a cream sauce with the butter, flour, and milk.

Helen's Scalloped Carrots And Celery

Did you expect anything less exotic from Helen? This unsual side dish would be quite different!

Scalloped Carrots And Celery

3 cups diced, cooked carrots
1 1/2 cups cooked celery
2 cups medium white sauce
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated cheese*

Combine cheese, crumbs, and white sauce. Fill a well-oiled casserole dish with layers of vegetables and white sauce; cover. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. 6 servings.
*No particular cheese is specified, but grated Cheddar would be tasty.
Variation: This is my idea, leave out the bread crumbs, layer as stated. Combine bread crumbs with 1 Tbls. melted butter and sprinkle over top of casserole.

Medium White Sauce

4 Tbls. butter
4 Tbls. flour
2 cups milk
Salt and pepper, to taste

Melt butter in a 2 quart sauce pan. Add flour and cook for about 2 minutes. Slowly add milk while whisking it in and continue to stir until thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Use in above recipe.

Helen's Eggs In Casserole

This is another one of Helen's more odd recipes.

Helen's Eggs In Casserole

Hard boiled eggs (allow 2 per person)
Cream Sauce**
Salt and Pepper, to taste
Diced Celery, as much as you want for flavor
1 tsp. minced onion
1 cup buttered bread crumbs

Quarter half eggs and place carefully in casserole. Pour over half cream sauce. Sprinkle celery and onion over sauce. Repeat; then cover with crumbs. Bake uncovered 20 minutes.*
Variations: To above add crab meat, tuna fish, or mushrooms.
May be prepared ahead; place in refrigerator. If chilled, allow 10 minutes more for baking.
*Helen never specified how hot of an oven so bake at 350 degrees.
**Helen never specified whether this was a thin, medium, or heavy cream sauce. The recipe is most likely a basic medium cream sauce listed below.

Basic Medium Cream Sauce

2 Tbls. butter
2 Tbls. flour
1 cup milk

Melt butter in a 2 quart sauce pan. Stir in flour and allow to cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add milk and stir until thickened. If you want a thin sauce then only use 1 Tbls. each of the flour and butter. For a thick sauce use Tbls. each of butter and flour.

Aunt Helen's Cheese With Rice

I don't know that this would have enough flavor, but I could be wrong.

Aunt Helen's Cheese With Rice

6 Tbls. rice

1/2 cup thick tomato sauce

2 cups meat sauce

1/4 cup grated  cheese

Cook rice in meat stock until tender. add tomato sauce and cheese. mix well. Heat thoroughly. Serve hot.

Helen's Cheese Rice Cakes

Aunt Helen must have really liked these as they were written out well in her book.

Helen's Cheese Rice Cakes

2 cups boiled rice

1 Tbls. melted butter

1 cup grated cheese*

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 egg white, slightly beaten

Paprika

Combine rice, cheese, and butter. Add 1/4 cup pimiento, if desired. Season to taste. Form into cakes. Brush lightly with white of egg. Place on well-oiled baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Serve hot with any favorite sauce.

*There was no specific cheese named. Any cheese you want will work, but Cheddar would be very good.

Helen's Veal or Lamb Pie With Ketchup Biscuits

My copy of The Searchlight Cook Book

Did I or did I not tell you there were a few strange recipes in this collection? Well, this is one of them! I personally do not care for either meat, but if you do, this might be something different to try one night when you don't know what to make for dinner. You can make this recipe as is or omit the ketchup, it is all up to you and what your taste buds think sounds good. As for me, I'm posting this recipe, but I think I'll pass on trying it. I'll leave this culinary delight to your discretion.

Helen's Veal or Lamb Pie With Ketchup Biscuits

2 cups chopped, cooked meat
2 Tbls. lard
2 Tbls. grated onion
1/2 cup canned tomatoes
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 can lima beans, drained
2 Tbls. butter

Brown meat lightly in lard. Add other ingredients and pour ino casserole dish.

Helen's Ketchup Biscuits

2 cups sifted flour
1 Tbls. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
4-6 Tbls. shortening
1/3 - 1/2 cup milk

Sift together dry ingredients. Cut in shortening until mixture has fine crumbs. Add enough milk to make a soft dough. Turn out onto lightly floured board and knead 1-2 minutes. Pat or roll 1/2" thick. Spread with ketchup and roll as for jelly roll. Cut into 1" slices and place cut side down over hot meat mixture. Bake in hot oven (425 degrees) for 25-30 minutes or until biscuits are done. Makes 6 servings.