Cookbook Countdown #72 -- Haystacks

Cookbook #72!

In my own personal Cookbook Countdown

If for any reason at all, you want to take a look at all the cookbooks I've 'counted down' so far, 

just click on this link.

I have WAY too many cookbooks.  Any normal person would have a different collection that doesn't take up so much room!

But that's beside the point.

This week's cook book  is an old Mennonite one I've had for quite some time.

I went thru an Amish and Mennonite cook book phase in my cookbook collecting, because, let's face it:  it's good, simple, normal food.  Stuff like my grandma would make.

You can't go wrong.

Mennonite Country-Style Recipes & Kitchen Secrets 

by Esther H. Shank

(it's laying on top of my fav-Friday Friend Cookbook)

Funniest quote from this recipe/cookbook night?

My son  was here the night I made "Haystacks" from this book.  Truth? It was a strange little combination of ingredients.  Honestly I was in a rush to get  thru another cookbook and really just opened the book and thought, Hey, I have that stuff, I'm making this!  Check one more cookbook off the list!

So, in a confused manner, he says, ,  " you just open the book and make random stuff?"

I said, "yep, pretty much."

This was actually pretty good.

Rice, hamburger and toppings layered as a 'haystack', with a little cheese sauce on top.

(we make a holiday cookie called Haystacks too, so this dish is discombobulating to me somewhat.  I just wondered if I could write discombobulating without spell check, and I DID IT!)

(Little things like that make me happy)

Haystacks

Mennonite Cooking

2 tbsp margarine

1 1/4 cup rice

Fry dry rice in margarine in pan until lightly browned.

3 cups hot water

1 tsp salt

Add to rice and heat to boiling.  Cover tightly and simmer for 20 minutes.

********************************

1 lb hamburger

1 small chopped onion

2 tbsp chopped green pepper

Saute in skillet until browned. Drain.

************************

1 pkg taco seasoning mix

Add.  May add a little water to make mixture slightly juicy. Spoon over rice to serve.

*********************

Toppings:

 chopped lettuce

chopped mushrooms

slices tomatoes

bean sprouts

chopped green peppers

crushed corn chips

Use any or all toppings as desired

*****************

1 10oz can cheddar cheese soup, or 2 cups of your own cheese sauce.

Heat until hot through and spoon over top.

I didn't have bean sprouts or corn chips.

And I added shredded cheese and green onions to the toppings.

It you took away the rice and added a fried corn tortilla,

took away the cheese soup and added hot sauce,

You'd have a tostada! 

To be honest (it's the best policy, right?)

I prefer a tostada.

The rice was fine, but it was--white rice and while I like white rice, it seemed to blah for this.

In my humble opinion that is.

The Handyman's opinion:  That was good!!

My son's opinion:  I'm just gonna grab a tortilla.

And that's our story.

Cookbook Number 72 -- checked.  off.  the.   list!

I am linking up with these great bloggers -- 

Cook it Up

at

Love, Laughter (and a touch of) Insanity

Weekend Cooking

at

Beth Fish Reads

Cook-Your-Books

at

Kitchen Flavours

See Ya in the Gumbo

at

Ms. enPlace

Okay, one last look at my mid-western, Mennonite style 

Haystack/tostada!