A Touch of Taste - Dad’s favorites

Father’s Day – June 20! I don’t know about you but as I get older my father gets smarter! My Dad lived to be 95, was soft-spoken and didn’t talk a lot but when he did, we listened. If you are lucky enough to still have dear old Dad around enjoy his wisdom, advice and humor. Celebrate his day by serving him his special taste treats. I share some of my Dad’s favorites with you

Tangy Dogs

A hearty before dinner snack. My family loves this one.

Skin and cut into bite size pieces 3 pounds of hot dogs. Cover with a sauce of 1 cup each:

• Brown sugar
• Bourbon
• Chili Sauce

Bake covered in 325 degree oven for 3 hours. Serve hot in chafing dish. Better if made ahead and can be frozen.

Harlan’s Canned Smelt

Dad loved fish of all types. My husband always canned smelt for him as a special treat. You might like it but I will admit, it’s not my favorite.

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For each pint of smelt:
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 teaspoon salad oil

Pack jars with fish, add salt, ketchup and oil. Process in pressure cooker 90 minutes @ 15 pounds pressure.

Three Bean Salad (With 4 Beans)

This was my Dad’s favorite salad.

• 1 can cut up wax beans
• 1 can cut up green beans
• 2 cans Red Kidney beans
• 1 can Garbanzo beans

Drain beans and add:
• 1 small diced onion
• 1 green pepper diced
• ¾ cup sugar
• ½ cup red wine garlic vinegar
• ½ cup salad oil

Mix and refrigerate overnight.

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Ham was Dad’s favorite meat. Cooked any way - baked or fried, hot or cold - Dad loved ham. This is an easy to make recipe and a great way to use leftover ham with (always a winner) scalloped potatoes.

• 2 pounds potatoes (about 6 medium)
• ¼ cup finely chopped onion

• 1 ½ cups cooked cubed ham
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ cup butter
• 2 ½ cups milk

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Peel potatoes and cut into thin slices to measure about 4 cups. In a greased 2 quart casserole, arrange potatoes in 4 layers sprinkling each of the first 3 layers with 1/3 of the ham, 1 tablespoon onion, 1 tablespoon flour, ¼ teaspoon salt, dash pepper and dotting each layer with 1 tablespoon butter. Sprinkle the top layer with remaining onion, salt, pepper and dot with remaining butter. Heat milk just to scalding; pour over the potatoes. Cover and bake 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 60 – 70 minutes longer or until potatoes are tender. Let stand 5-10 minutes before serving.

Ann Lander’s Kentucky Pecan Pie

Many years ago Ann Landers printed this pie recipe. It became one of Dad’s favorite and I still make it as it is my favorite pie.

• 1 cup white corn syrup
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/3 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 whole eggs (slightly beaten)
• 1 heaping cup shelled whole pecans

Combine syrup, sugar, salt, butter, vanilla and mix well. Add slightly beaten eggs. Pour into a 9-inch unbaked pie shell. Sprinkle pecans over all. Bake in pre-heated 350 degree oven for approximately 45 minutes. When cool you may top with whipped cream or ice cream to serve but I consider that gilding the lily and not necessary.

German Sweet Chocolate Cake

Really want Dad to know you care? Give him a treat of this very special layer cake. It was my mother’s specialty!

Melt and cool:
• 1 package German Sweet Chocolate in
• ½ cup boiling water
Cream:
• 1 cup butter
• 2 cups sugar
Add:
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Add and mix well the chocolate mixture
Sift and Alternate:
• 2 ½ cups cake flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
With:
• 1 cup buttermilk

Fold in 4 stiffly beaten egg whites. Bake in 2 layer cake pans @ 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

Cool cakes, fill and frost with Coconut Pecan filling. Using the egg whites from the filling a White 7 Minute Frosting may be made to frost the sides of the cake, or the sides may remain unfrosted with the filling showing.

Coconut Pecan Filling

Combine in a saucepan, cook, stirring constantly until thick about 12 minutes:

• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 egg yolks
• ½ cup butter

Then Add:
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup coconut
• 1 cup pecan nuts

Beat until cool and of spreading consistency.

After all that cooking and baking Dad’s got to know you love him!

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads in “Hometown Focus Country.”