MEL BA' S SWAP SHOP
EVERYBODY SCREAMS FOR ICE CREAM
DEAR READERS: Did you know that July is National Ice Cream Month? I read some place that in 1984, Senator Walter Dee Huddleston, of Kentucky, introduced a resolution to proclaim the month of July National Ice Cream Month. That's just a bit of trivia. A little late, but ice cream is good whenever. My real reason for sharing all this information is that it's also time to notify you that if you're invited to attend or compete in the annual Ice Cream Freeze-Off contest at 10 a.m. Aug. 24 at the Oklahoma County Free Fair. I'll be helping Sandy Killian judge this contest.
There will be five categories: vanilla, chocolate, chocolate with other ingredients, any other flavor, and a no-sugar added category. If you have questions, there is an Oklahoma County Free Fair Book that provides more details and can be accessed at oces.okstate.edu/ oklahoma.
— Melba
ASKED AND REMEMBERED?
DEAR MELBA: I recently asked for a recipe for a salad dressing, but then I remembered the recipe.
SALAD DRESSING
•1 cup mayonnaise
•1 cup sour cream
•3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
•1 tablespoon onion powder •1 tablespoon garlic powder • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Mix all ingredients in food processor and process until creamy.
— Eric Leeviraphan
SPUDS MADE EASY
DEAR MELBA: Want to make an easy potato dish?
HASH BROWNS
•1 1/2 pounds frozen hash browns
• 1 container (8 ounces) sour cream
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped onions • 2 cups crushed crackers • 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
• 1 cup butter, melted
Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray 8-by-12-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Thaw hash browns and stir together with sour cream, salt, chicken soup, pepper and onions. Spread in prepared baking dish.
Combine crackers, cheese and melted butter and spread over top of hash browns. Bake about 45 minutes. Should serve 6-to-8. If you have a problem other readers might help solve or an idea you'd like to share, e-mail melba.lovelace@gmail. com or write to Melba's Swap Shop, Box 25125, Oklahoma City, OK 73125. Please include your name and address.