Who's the Best Cooks: Men or Women Round 2

Happy 4th of July. It is a special day for me. It is my daughter's birthday and yes she was and still is a firecracker.

Well, it is time for another round in the battle of who's the best cooks, men or women. This time, I am including four recipes because they are a family affair. Neit, Edith and Mat are sisters who are fantastic cooks and Ollie Mae Pearson is their mom. Enjoy these.

Taco Soup
2 lbs. ground beef, browned, drained
2 (15 oz. each) cans pinto beans
2 (15 oz. each) cans whole kernel corn
2 (15 oz. each) cans diced tomatoes
2 pkg. taco seasoning mix tortilla chips
sour cream
grated cheese

In large pot, combine beans, corn, tomatoes and taco seasoning: mix well; add beef. Simmer over medium heat until soup is thoroughly warm. Place tortilla chips in bottom of soup bowls; ladle soup over chips; top with sour cream and cheese. Can substitute tomato sauce for tomates. Serves 6-8.

Submitted by: Juanita Pearson Watkins

Strawberry Pudding
2 pt. frozen strawberries, thawed, undrained
1/2 small box strawberry Jell-o
1/2 c. sugar
1 large box vanilla instant pudding mix
1 large carton Cool Whip
1 box vanilla wafers

Use 3 quart casserole. Place strawberries, Jell-o, and sugar in saucepan; heat until sugar and Jell-o dissolves; set aside to cool. Prepare pudding according to box directions; fold in 1/2 of Cool Whip. In casserole, layer: wafers, pudding, and strawberries. Top with remaining Cool Whip. Refrigerate until set. Serves 6

Submitted By: Mat Pearson Wolfe

Pineapple Cake
2 c. sugar
1 c. Butter Crisco
3 eggs
2 Tbsp. vanilla flavoring
2 c. Red Band Self-Rising flour
1 c. milk
1 box 10X powdered sugar
1 c. Crisco
1 medium can crushed pineapple, drained
reserved pineapple juice

Preheat oven to 350~. Grease and flour 3 - 9" cake pans. Blend sugar and Butter Crisco with mixer until smooth; add eggs, 1 at time; mix well; add 1 tablespoon vanilla. Add flour and milk, alternating; mix until smooth. Divide batter evenly among pans. Bake 25 minutes or until middle springs back at touch. Remove; cool. To prepare icing: Combine powdered sugar, Crisco and 1 tablespoon vanilla; mix until smooth. Place bottom layer on plate; prick with fork; spoon 1/3 of pineapple juice over layer; frost with icing; spread 1/3 of crushed pineapple on top. Repeat with juice, frosting, and crushed pineapple with remaining layers. Refrigerate.

Submitted By: Edith Pearson Battle

Bread Pudding
4 - 5 homemade biscuits
3 eggs
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 large can evaporated milk
1 tsp. vanilla flavoring
1 stick butter, sliced

Preheat oven to 400~. Use 9x13 baking dish. Place biscuits in bowl; just cover with hot water; cover and steam until soft. Add eggs, sugar, milk, vanilla; mix well. Place in dish; dot top with butter slices. Bake 40 minutes. To make chocolate bread pudding, add 1/4 cup cocoa. To make rice pudding, substitute bread with 2 cups cooked rice. Serves 8 - 10

Submitted By: Ollie Moore Pearson

Mrs.Pearson lived to be 92 years old.

If you would like to purchase a copy of the Timeless Treasures cookbook, you can call the Interact office at 828-7501

Interact is a non-profit agency in Wake County that assists victims of domestic violence and rape/sexual assault.