Happy New Year's 2012 to the ones I love Video

Diva's Hot German Potato Salad

Diva’s Memories of Recipes Hot German Potato Salad
Inspiration:  My Step-mother Judi use to always make this when I was growing up.  It's a yummy twist to regular potato salad and served hot.  Also a great alternative to a side dish.
Ingredients: 6 potatoes 6 slices bacon 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons white sugar 1/2 cup water 1/2cup white wine vinegar 2 TB Parsley salt and pepper to taste	Instructions: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add potatoes; cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, cool and chop up. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside. Reserve bacon fat.  Add the flour, sugar, water and vinegar to skillet and cook in reserved bacon fat over medium heat until dressing is thick.  Add bacon & potatoes to skillet and stir until coated. Cook until heated and season with salt, pepper and parsley. Serve hot.
Variation:  Yields 6 servings.  I cook 1 potato per person. some people add onions also.

Happy Birthday Daddy in Heaven...My Tribute

I have been sitting here trying to think of something to write on my Daddy in honor of his birthday and the flood of memories are deep.  He was my ROCK, my PROTECTOR, and the most WONDERFUL Father and Grandpa anyone could ever have.

Dad, My son Adam & my baby nephew JD
My brother Randy is the one behind Dad partially seen with the beard
1983

Glen Marvin Zemanek was born December 30, 1936 to Dale and Margaret (Gartman) Zemanek in a little one room shack that was on the 160 acre farm in Bayard, Nebraska up on the hill. It still had the old cast iron red water pump right outside the door that worked in the 60's. Us kids use to play in the old farm house when we didn't get caught by Grandma to get out.  It was like a sacred building attached to other buildings that was used for storage by the time my brother Randy and I came along. OMG Grandma could stand on the steps and yell.... RANDY DALE & CHERYL ANN at the top of her lungs in a high screech and believe me we RAN.  It was a 1 room shack that was built by Grandad and I have no doubt that it was like a palace to their little family of 4. Many years later as the dust filled room sat empty, we still loved to think of how our Daddy was born in that little room shack.

The outhouse was down the hill equip with the Sear's & Roebuck catalog and we were still required to use it even though a bathroom was built in the new farm house in the mid 60's.  Grandad was a very frugal man and would not even allow us to flush the toilet but every 3-4 times, well except for #2's, but we had to prove it.  It had better still smelled.  But boy was Grandma proud to finally have a real running water bathroom in the house.

Dad graduated from Minatare High School in 1955 and went straight into the Army. He dated my mother Marge who was a local girl from Bayard.  They married not long after Dad entered the Army.

After he got out of the Army, he took care of the farm and a lady down the road's farm which we called Granny Nab.  She was no relation but she loved my Daddy too. Randy and I would ride our horse Champ over to Granny Nab's house all the time.  It was a deserted shack at that time.  Dad also worked in the other family business for Great Western Sugar.  He had always loved retail.   He opened Fairview 50 Grocery Store, outside of Scottsbluff, NE.  I remember the vintage coke machine, the minnow tank outside (people would stop on their way out to Lake Minatare to fish) and how he always loved to talk to people.  I was just a toddler at this time, but o no doubt about it, he loved that little store. 

Eventually he became laid up after falling out of a tree on the farm and breaking both legs & ribs and were forced to move to town.  After he recovered with my help at the age of 4, he worked for Kuner-Empson as a salesman and returned to Great Western Sugar as a fieldman. I would always ride in the car or truck with him and he would buy me candy cigarettes and let me light them on his car lighter.  I think we ruined several lighters and boy did the candy stink burning.

Dad married my step Mother Judi when I was 12 and when I was in high school he finally got his dream once again fulfilled and bought Alexander's Super Market in Scottsbluff, NE.

Dad, Judi and my baby daughter Bekah
1984

He had the Mitchell Cafe, bought the Mitchell Grocery Store, had a gas station, a mini storage, and drove the wrecker for the County. Busy Busy man, I called him Mr Monopoly after he bought his 18th rental.  Retail, People, and his family was his life. There was never a day that went by that I didn't feel his love.  

He passed in March of 1995 and is resting near Chimney Rock by Bayard, NE and the day of the funeral everyone told me that they saw him the day he passed and he smiled, sayed hi and spoke to them.  I swear he was everywhere that day.  He had the most beautiful smile and blue eyes that lit up no matter what. He worked very hard and was respected by all.  An incredible man who raised me and my brother and he is deeply deeply missed. He taught me life is precious, don't go to sleep mad at your loved ones, ALWAYS tell them you love them and never say goodbye... to this day I only say see ya to the ones I love.  I can't wait to see him again and get one of those famous hugs he always gave us and see that wonderful smile.  

Happy Birthday Daddy in Heaven... I will be watching for my penny <wink>

Diva's Fattigman "Poor Man's cookie"

Diva’s Memories of Recipes Fattigman "Poor man's cookie"
Inspiration:  this was considered the poor man's cookie because during the depression when Grandma & Grandad Zemanek grew up, rations were short and it was easier to fry than bake.
Ingredients: 1 cup flour, just enough to make a soft dough to roll out, may need to adjust 5 egg yolks 1 whole egg 6 TB cream 6 TB sugar 1/8 tsp cardamon powdered sugar for dusting	Instructions: Beat eggs slightly and add other ingredients to form a soft dough.  Roll thin, cut into a diamond shape, cut slit in center and pull one end through the slit. Deep fry and drain on paper towel.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Variation: Makes close to 100 depending on the size you cut. Ow and don't waste those egg whites, grandma would whip up an angel food cake or just scramble them for breakfast.  NEVER ever waste...

Diva's EggNog

Diva’s Memories of Recipes Holiday cheer Eggnog
Inspiration:  I have always enjoyed Eggnog and store bought is only available during the holidays.  Here is a recipe I have had for years.
Ingredients: 4 eggs, separated 1~1/2 cups milk 1~1/2 cups whiskey 1 cup cream 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup rum couple sprinkles of nutmeg spice	Instructions: In a mixing bowl, mix egg yolks.  While mixing; slowly add half of the sugar.  Set aside and repeat the process with the egg whites and remaining sugar.  Beat until stiff.  Combine both egg mixtures and continue to beat on a slow setting. Stir in the rum, then the milk, then the whiskey and half the cream.  In a separate bowl whip remaining cream and gently fold into egg mixture.
Variation:  Ladle room temperature eggnog into cups and sprinkle with eggnog. If you have any left over's and I say If... you can use it in the morning for french toast or pancakes.  Just substitute the eggnog for the milk. Yields 8 servings.

Diva's Guacamole Dip

Diva’s Memories of Recipes Guacamole dip
Inspiration:  this recipe was given to me by a lady in Scottsbluff, NE years ago.
Ingredients: 3 large avocados 1 garlic clove 1/2 onion 1 small jar picante sauce salt to taste	Instructions: Peel and pit avocados (save the pits), put in food processor with garlic and onion; puree.  Put in a bowl and mix in picante sauce and salt to taste.  Stir well.
Variation:  If not served right away, put the pits in the bowl and cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to eat.  The pits will help the dip from turning brown.

Grandma paid change for her 60's VW bug

Grandma Margaret had always wanted a Volkswagon bug. She sold the fresh farm eggs, milk and cream to the local people. We would gather the eggs and she taught us all how to candle them.  Some of them went to the old incubator building where they raised their own chickens. Grandad had an old cream can sitting just inside the back door at the old farm house for her to collect her hard earned her change.  Back in the mid 60's a new VW beetle sold anywhere from $1700-2000 from what I can find.  I don't remember how long Grandma Margaret saved for her little bug, but one day Grandad Dale loaded up all the cream can's on the the back of his pick-up truck and drove Grandma to town.

Yes she paid "change" for her little Volkswagon.

Can you image what the dealership thought when they unloaded the cream can's that day?  I smile huge when I think of that image.  I remember that day she drove down the driveway and up to the old farm house in that car.  They were raised in the depression and were very frugal people.  She was so so very proud of that car.  This is the only picture I could find of her bug...

Many years later when we moved Grandad & Grandma from Bayard to Mitchell, Nebraska, we found full cream cans of change in their basement.  Old habits never go away but memories live on forever.

Diva's Mimosa ~ Hawaiian Style

Diva’s Memories of Recipes Mimosa ~ Hawaiian Style
Inspiration:  This is a wonderful twist to regular Mimosa.  Tis yummy!
Ingredients: 1 12oz can apricot nectar 1 12oz can pineapple juice 1 6oz can frozen orange juice, concentrated, thawed 3/4 cup water 1 25.4oz bottle of dry white champagne, chilled	Instructions: Combine the first 4 ingredients in a large pitcher, stir well.  Stir in champagne immediately before serving.
Variation:  Yields 7 ~1/2 cups

The Trip to town in Grandad's Truck in the 60's to the Creamery

The old pick up truck Grandad Dale drove took weekly trips to town with the cream we separated everyday from milking the cows on the Zemanek farm.  It was a treat to sit next to Grandad as he shifted the gears over the bumpy roads to town. Scottsbluff, Nebraska was where the Platte Valley Creamery was and still is to this day; and it seemed to take forever to get there...  You see, it was the anticipation of what was at the end of the journey that kept us hopping in the seat...

Home Made Ice Cream!


This was in the 60's and I remember it like it was yesterday.  Grandad would take me inside to let me pick out which kind of ice cream cone I wanted and take me by the hand and lead me back to the old truck and lift me up on to the tail gate to eat the most wonderful ice cream, dripping down my chin with a huge smile on my face.  The trip home I usually fell fast asleep up next to his chest and dream't of next week's ride to town.

My daughter and I still to this day NEVER go home without getting a Home Made tin roof sundae from there.  It's a treat I miss and have found memories of the ride to town next to my Grandad... He made his own Home made ice cream on the farm and it was absolutely wonderful too and I will share the recipe with you soon, but I think it was the trip in the truck being next to Grandad that made it special.  He has been gone since 1985 but his memory lives on in my heart.

Diva's Fruit Pizza

Diva’s Memories of Recipes Fruit Pizza
Inspiration:  My kids loved this when they were growing up.  Great for parties!
Ingredients: 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1/2 cup margarine 1/4 cup oil 1 egg 1 tsp almond extract 2~1/2 cups flour 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp cream of tartar Fruit cut up of your choice. ________ frosting: 1 8oz cream cheese 1 tsp almond extract 1/2 cup sugar	Instructions: Cream together first 6 ingredients.  In a large bowl, shift together dry ingredients.  Fold in creamed ingredients and stir well.  Press dough into a cookie sheet or pizza pan.  Bake @ 375 degrees F for 10 minutes and golden brown.  When cooled, Cream frosting ingredients together, frost and arrange fruit.
Variation:  these can be made in small round mini pizza's.  I also drizzle chocolate sauce over the top of the fruit.  I have also used brownie dough instead of cookie dough.

Diva's Jakee Frozen Doggie Bones

Diva’s Memories of Recipes Frozen Doggie Bones
Inspiration:  My Golden Lab Jakee loves popcycles and fruit of any kind.  I have a doggie mold I use for his treats but ice cube trays work just fine too.  They are wonderful on a hot day.
Ingredients: Chicken Surprise 2 cups Chicken or Beef Broth pinch of cheese ________ 1 cup of fruit of your choice 1/2 cup low~fat yogurt 1/2 cup juice or water	Instructions: Mix broth and add to trays and add a pinch of cheese to each cube. __________ Put fruit in blender puree; add juice and yogurt.
Variation: Pour into trays and freeze Baby food works great too.  Some people use honey to sweeten, but I am diabetic and Jakee gets sugar free without the sweetener Xylitol.  It's not good for them. Other things that are not healthy for pooches: grapes or raisins chocolate Macadamia nuts or walnuts garlic tea or coffee alcohol mushrooms mustard seeds onions or onion powder yeast dough also make sure to use common sense, esp if your doggie has allergies.

How To Cook a Turkey: Video, this guy is too funny!

Diva's Almond shortcake with Strawberry-Rhubarb Sauce

Diva’s Memories of Recipes Almond shortcake with Strawberry-Rhubarb Sauce
Inspiration:  I love Strawberries and Rhubarb
Ingredients: 2~3/4 cup Bisquick baking mix 1/2 cup milk 3 TB sugar 3 TB margarine or butter, melted 2 TB slivered almonds additional sprinkle of: milk and sugar _____________ Sauce: 3 cups cut~up Rhubarb 2 cups Strawberries 1 cup sugar 1 TB water 2 TB cornstarch 2 TB cold water	Instructions: Heat Oven to 425 degrees Grease round pan 9x1~1/2 inches Mix baking, 1/2 cup milk, 3 TB sugar and maragrine until a soft dough forms.  Pat in bottom of pan and brush with milk.  Sprinkle sugar and almonds over the top.  Bake for 15~20 minutes or until light brown.  Remove from pan, cool and cut into wedges.  Split horizontally and fill and top with sauce.  Top with whipped cream. ______________ Sauce: Heat Rhubarb, sugar and 1 TB water to a boil in a 2~QT saucepan.  reduce heat.  Mix cornstarch and cold water to a paste.  Stir in Rhubarb mixture.  Simmer uncovered for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until Rhubarb is tender.  Cool sauce and add Strawberries.  Top with cool whip.
Variation: Can be topped with any fruit of your choice Sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in refrigerator.   Yield serves 8

Diva's Steak Roll-ups German Style

Diva’s Memories of Recipes Steak Roll-ups German style
Inspiration:  Growing up in Mitchell, Nebraska was a hoot.  It was a very small town with people who always had a kind word on the street but also knew everyone's business. I could walk 1 block and my Dad knew exactly where I was or who I talked to.  Main street had a movie theater, post office, drug store with the best soda fountain, jewelry store, cafe, and Dad's second Grocery store.  We had a little german lady working for us by the name of Annaliese Prautzsh.  Her husband Heinz was our janitor at the school for years.  This is one of her german recipes she gave me.
Ingredients: 3 large pieces of round steak tenderized prepared mustard cubbed onion 1 pkg bacon salt pepper	Instructions: cut meat in 4x3 inch strips and spread mustard and onion on steak.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Roll up with a piece of bacon and secure with a tooth pick.  Bake in a 325 degree F oven 2 hours.
Variation:  yield 2~3 pieces per person.  I have seen where people have grilled these as well, just not as tender in my opinion.

Diva's Cherry Wink Cookies

Diva’s Memories of Recipes Cherry Wink's
Inspiration:  My kids other Grandma always made these at the holidays.  They make a tasty presentation.
Ingredients: 2~1/4 cup sifted flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 3/4 cup shortening 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla 2 TB milk 1 cup chopped nuts 1 cup chopped dates 1/3 cup Maraschino Cherries 2~1/2 cup crushed corn flakes	Instructions:  Sift dry ingredients.  Combine shortening and sugar; cream well.  Add eggs, vanilla and milk.  Blend in dry ingredients; mix well. Add nuts, dates and cherries.  Shape into balls, using a level TB of dough for each cookie.  Roll each ball in crushed corn flakes.  Place on greased cookie sheet and top with 1/4 cherry.  Bake @ 375 degrees for 10~12 minutes.
Variation:  Yields 4 dozen

Diva's Grandma Sarah's Whoopie Pie Cookies

Diva’s Memories of Recipes Whoopie Pie Cookies
Inspiration:  This is marked in one of Grandma Sarah's recipe books from 1965.  I love when she circled recipes. Most are wonderfully delish!
Ingredients: 1 cup shortening 1 cup sugar 2 eggs, beaten 5 cups flour 3/4 cup cocoa 1~1/2 tsp salt 1 cup sour milk 2 tsp baking soda 1 cup hot water ____________ filling: 2 egg whites, beaten 1 TB vanilla 4 TB milk 4 cups powdered sugar 1 cup shortening	Instructions: Cream shortening and sugar; add eggs.  Add sifted dry ingredients alternating with sour milk. Combine soda and hot water; add.  Drop from TB spoon onto cookie sheet and Bake @ 400 degrees F for 10-15 minutes. ____________ filling: Beat egg whites, vanilla and milk.  Add 2 cups powdered sugar.  Cream 2 cups powdered sugar and shortening together. Mix both together.  Spread between cookies when they are cooled.
Variation:  if you don't have sour milk, you can add 1 TB vinegar to the milk. I have also substituted peanut butter for the shortening in the filling.

Diva's Peanut Butter Popcorn

Diva’s Memories of Recipes Peanut Butter Popcorn
Inspiration:  I found this recipe in a church cookbook years ago back in Nebraska. It was my family church that I grew up in.  Federated Church in Mitchell, NE.  I love anything peanut butter.
Ingredients: 1/2 cup margarine 3/4 cup brown sugar 20 large marshmallows 1/4 cup peanut butter 10 cups popped popcorn or 2 bags microwave popcorn	Instructions: Put popped popcorn in a large bowl.  Make sure you sort out the old maids.  Melt margarine, brown sugar and marshmallows in the microwave.  Cook at 1 minute intervals stirring each time and until all is melted and smooth.  While hot, stir in peanut butter and quickly pour over popcorn.  Stir to coat.  Can be made into popcorn balls or spread on a cookie sheet to cool and then broken in to pieces.
Variation:  You can become very creative with this recipe.  Add mini chocolate chips, mini M&M's, pretzels, nuts, raisins, or just drizzle chocolate over the top. Have fun!