MENU WEDNESDAY #2 - My apologies for the late post, but I'm in New Hampshire looking at the foliage and eating out and just lost track of time!

MENU #2 - This menu is perfect for the cooler days of early October. Simple, old-fashioned favorites like Ham Loaf, Green Beans and Homemade Applesauce are comfort foods that will bring them to the table. I’ve added some delicious biscuits to compliment the meal and a yummy Pumpkin Crunch Cake to finish. If you’re like me, a whole cake is more than we need at our house for dessert, so why not pack some in lunches or take a plate of slices to work to share. Say "welcome home" with this easy dinner full of fall's delicious flavors.

WALTER’S HAM LOAF – Walter Young

(Make the day before serving for full flavor)
1 lb. ground ham
1 lb. ground pork
2/3 c. milk
2 eggs
2 c. crushed crackers
1/2 c. tomato juice
1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. vinegar
2 tsp. dry mustard

Mix ham, pork, milk, eggs and crushed crackers and shape into a loaf. Pour tomato juice over the loaf and bake at 350 degrees for 1 – 1 1/2 hours. Remove from oven to cool. Refrigerate meatloaf and juices in pan overnight. Remove solid fat, if any, and reheat in 350 degree oven, basting with remaining juices from pan. Note: Mix up extra sauce ingredients and reduce over heat; use as sauce when serving ham loaf.


CINDY’S GREEN BEANS – Cindy Minor

1 c. butter, melted
1/2 lb. bacon, diced
1 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. soy sauce
3 cans green beans*

Melt butter and add remaining ingredients. Refrigerate overnight. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes. *Originally this recipe was for GREEN BEAN BUNDLES, using whole green beans wrapped with a half piece of bacon and secured with a toothpick, but using cut green beans is easy and diced bacon tastes just as good!
Cindy’s Green Beans




HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE

zest and juice of 1 large navel orange
zest and juice of 1 lemon
3 lbs. Granny Smith apples
3 lbs. McIntosh, or other red apples
1/2 c. light brown sugar
1/4 lb. unsalted butter
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground allspice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the zest and juice of the oranges and lemon in a large bowl. Peel, quarter, and core the apples and toss them in the juice. Pour the apples and juice into an oven-proof enameled or glass dish with a cover. Add the brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and allspice and cover the pot. Bake for 1 1/2 hours, or until all the apples are soft. Mix with a whisk until smooth. Serve warm or at room temperature. Note: Would also be good over French Toast.



GAYLE’S BISCUITS – Gayle Long

2/3 c. shortening
2 c. self-rising flour
2/3 c. buttermilk (or use buttermilk powder and water)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cut shortening into flour until it is the size of small crumbs. Add buttermilk. Turn onto floured surface. Knead lightly by folding over a couple of times – about 20 seconds is enough. Roll to 1/2-inch thickness and cut into biscuits. Place on baking sheet and bake for about 12 minutes, until golden brown. Serve with homemade preserves, jelly or honey butter.



PUMPKIN CRUNCH CAKE

1 large can pumpkin
13 oz. evaporated milk
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. cloves
1 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 box yellow or spice cake mix
1 c. pecans or walnuts, chopped
3/4 c. butter, melted

Blend together all but the last 3 ingredients. Mix well. Pour the pumpkin mixture into a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch pan. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the pumpkin mixture. Sprinkle the chopped nuts over the cake mix. Drizzle the melted margarine over all. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes, or until it tests done. Serve plain or with ice cream or whipped cream.


SHOPPING LIST for Menu #2

Walter’s Ham Loaf
Homemade Applesauce
Cindy’s Green Beans
Gayle’s Biscuits
Pumpkin Crunch Cake

Produce

Apples (3 lbs.)
Orange (1)
Lemon (1)

Pantry

Pumpkin (1large can)
Green Beans (3 cans or 1 lb. fresh)
Soy Sauce (1 tsp.)
Evaporated Milk (13 oz. can)
Tomato Juice (1/2 c.)
Brown Sugar (1 1/2 c.)
Crisco (2/3c.)
Vinegar (1/2 c.)
Dry Mustard (2 tsp.)
Garlic Powder (1/2 tsp.)
Cinnamon (3 1/2 tsp.)
Nutmeg (1/2 tsp.)
Ginger (1/4 tsp)
Cloves (1/4 tsp.)
Allspice (1/2 tsp.)
Sugar (1 c.)
Salt (1/2 tsp.)

Packaged Goods

Cake Mix (1 box yellow or spice)
Pecans or Walnuts (1 c.)
Crackers (2 c. crushed)
Self-rising Flour (2 c.)

Meat

Ham (1 lb.)
Pork (1 lb.)
Bacon (1/2 lb.)

Dairy

Milk (2/3 c.)
Buttermilk (2/3 c.)
Eggs (5 large)
Butter (2 c.)