MELBA’S SWAP SHOP

FRESH VEGETABLES ALWAYS APPROPRIATE

DEAR MELBA: This recipe was given to me by a dear friend. It’s so good and so pretty and colorful, you might want to save it for Christmastime, but it’ll be good today, also, especially if you have fresh peppers in your vegetable garden.

GREEN AND RED STUFFED PEPPERS

Green and red bell peppers 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon sugar 1 cup pecans, chopped 1 jar stuffed green olives, chopped

2 tablespoons finely chopped onions

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, approximately

Cut off tops of green and red bell peppers and remove seeds. For stuffing, mix cream cheese in mixer and add remaining ingredients. Stuff green and red bell peppers with stuffing. Let set in refrigerator 3 hours or more. Remove from refrigerator and cut into rounds. Arrange on platter, green then red pepper slices alternately. Serve with a knife for cutting and crackers of your choice.

— Judy Henderson, Bethany

DEAR MELBA: Someone asked for recipes using fresh vegetables. I think I may have gotten this from you years ago, but it still makes a good salad.

FROG-EYE SALAD

Servings: Makes 10 to 12

servings.

1 can (15 ounces) pineapple chunks

1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple ½ cup sugar 1 tablespoon flour 1 ¼ teaspoons salt 1 egg, beaten 1 ½ teaspoons lemon juice 1 ½ quarts water 1 ½ teaspoons vegetable oil 1 package (8 ounces) pasta, your choice

1 can (11 ounces) Mandarin oranges, drained

½ cup miniature marshmallows ½ cup coconut, optional 1 carton (4 ½ ounces) prepared whipped topping

Drain both cans pineapple, saving ¾ cup plus 3 tablespoons of the juice. In 4-quart saucepan, mix sugar, flour and ¼-teaspoon of the salt. Whisk in the reserved pineapple juice and the egg. Cook, stirring, until thickened. Add lemon juice. Remove from heat and cool. In large saucepan, bring the water, 1-teaspoon salt and vegetable oil to boil. Add pasta and boil until pasta is tender. Drain and rinse with cold water; cool. In large bowl that can be covered, combine egg-sugar mixture and pasta. Mix lightly, cover and refrigerate overnight. Next morning, add the oranges, pineapple, marshmallows, coconut and whipped topping. Chill.

— Helen, Oklahoma City

CONCERNING THAT COOKIE CONUNDRUM

DEAR MELBA: Betty Jane asked for cookie recipes suitable for picnics. Please share this one with her.

MOCHA SQUARES

½ cup butter or margarine 1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature 1 cup flour 2 tablespoons powdered sugar 6 tablespoons cocoa

¼ cup butter or margarine, melted ½ cup sugar 1 egg, slightly beaten 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 teaspoons hot coffee

In small mixing bowl, cream ½-cup butter and 1 package cream cheese. Stir in flour and 2-tablespoons powdered sugar. Mix well. Cover and chill at least an hour. Heat oven to 350 F. Shape chilled dough into 24 balls. Place dough evenly on bottom and up sides of ungreased muffin cups. In medium mixing bowl, stir cocoa into ¼ cup melted butter. Stir in ¼ cup sugar, egg and vanilla. Add coffee and blend into mixture. Divide evenly among the pastry-lined muffin cups. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until filling is set. Cool. Remove from pans and sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

— Another Betty

MAKE IT A HAPPY 100TH

DEAR MELBA: My dad, Leo Smallwood, of Rattan, will turn 100 years old on July 22. He doesn’t know that I am sending this to you, but he would be thrilled to get cards from your readers in commemoration of his 100 years. He is a World War II veteran with three battle stars, The Battle of Bulge, The Battle of Saint Lo, and The Battle of the Hedgerows. He arrived in Normandy six days after D-Day as part of the force who had the grim duty of documenting, identifying, and transporting the fallen. He is also a Choctaw Elder of the Year and a member of the Oklahoma High School Coaches Hall of Fame. He was coach and high school principal at Rattan High School for 42 years. The athletic programs were primarily begun by him. Cards may be sent to: Leo Smallwood, P.O. Box 7, Rattan, OK 74562

— Stephen Smallwood

BLANKET COVERAGE

DEAR MELBA: Please invite your readers to the Central OK Quilters Guild Quilt Show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, in the Centennial Building at the State Fair Grounds. There will be 300 quilts to inspire you, and 40 vendors will provide your shopping enjoyment. Visitors can learn new techniques with classes and free demonstrations. Raffle quilt and continuous Bed Turning/Quilt Giveaway will benefit Positive Tomorrows — the school for homeless children. See you there.

— Judy Howard, Oklahoma City