MELBA'S SWAP SHOP
Wanna loaf with a date?
DEAR MELBA: Jane F. requested a recipe for Date Loaf. This was my mother’s recipe.
DATE LOAF
• 1 package (16 ounces) small marshmallows • 1 cup evaporated milk • 1 package (16 ounces) graham cracker crumbs • 1 package (16 ounces) dates, chopped • 1 cup chopped nuts In medium bowl, soak marshmallows in evaporated milk. In a large mixing bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, dates and nuts. Stir in marshmallows, saving a few crumbs to roll and shape the loaf. Wrap loaf in foil and refrigerate. Slice and serve with whipped cream. — Ann Cook DEAR MELBA: This may be the Date Loaf recipe that was requested recently. My mom made it every Christmas.
DATE LOAF
• 1/2 pound pitted dates • 20 large marshmallows, cut into pieces • 1 cup pecans • 12 cherries (chopped) • 1 can sweetened condensed milk 18 graham cracker crumbs, crushed In large mixing bowl, combine dates, marshmallows, pecans, cherries and milk. Mix well and form into a roll or a loaf. Roll in the crushed graham cracker crumbs. Shape into loaf, wrap and refrigerate. — Dathelyn McLaughlin, Mustang
Old-school apps
DEAR MELBA: I’m so glad someone requested appetizer recipes. Here’s one readers will like. I hope they continue to share others.
CHEESE BALL
• 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese • 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce • 2 green onions, finely chopped • 2 cups finely chopped • pecans In medium mixing bowl, cream together cream cheese, salt, Worcestershire sauce, green onions and 1 cup of the pecans. Mix well and form into a ball. Roll in the other cup of nuts, cover and refrigerate until serving time. I serve it with crackers. — Lorie Leo's cake recipe, anyone? DEAR MELBA: I am trying to find a recipe that my motherin-law gave me some time ago. I have lost it and my mother-in-law passed away last year. It was published in your column maybe in the 1970s or 80s. It was a yellow pound cake, I believe with a glaze served over sliced strawberries and bananas. I believe it may have come from a barbecue place in the Oklahoma City area. Any help you could give me would be very much appreciated. — Glenda Houchin, Mooreland
Recipes sought
DEAR MELBA: Do you have some cookbooks for sale? I need some good pickle recipes and candy recipes. Can you help me? — Alta B. The cookbooks I wrote in the past are long gone. But I suspect some readers will share some pickle and/or candy recipes. — Melba If you have a problem other readers might help solve or an idea you'd like to share, email mlovelace@ oklahoman.com or write to Melba's Swap Shop, Box 25125, Oklahoma City, OK 73125. Please include your name and address.