Back to Life as Usual

We spent a good summer in Island Park and now we are home in Rexburg and Ralph is back to work as Director of the Library. He is scheduled to speak at Devotional on October 4,. In my opinion, he is doing a good job at both but I think the stress level will go down after Oct. 4. and great-grandma has a new foundation, while we have a new front porch on our cabin.


Stephanie from downstairs has been great help. Last week we made Wacky Cake, a good cake to make if you are out of eggs, and this week we are making a microwave dish called Beefy Enchiladas. Also Ben brought his six kids to the cabin and taught them how to make Foil Dinners in a bonfire. I will include the instructions here.

WACKY CAKE

2 1/3 c. flour
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3 T. cocoa
Mix the above dry ingredients in a 9x13 or 9x12 pan using a fork. When thoroughly mixed, make 3 holes or wells in dry ingredients, large, medium and small. In the large well put 1/2 c. plus 1 T. of vegetable oil. In the medium well put 1 1/2 T. vinegar. In the small well put 2 tsp. vanilla. Pour 1 1/2 c. cold water over all. Mix all ingredients in pan well with fork. Bake cake in 350 degree oven for about 20 - 30 minutes. Cake will be soft so it is best to frost it in the pan.

BEEFY ENCHILADAS (microwave)

Brown 1 lb. ground beef with 1/2 to 1 finely chopped onion. In a large pan mix together ground beef and onion with the following ingredients:
2 cans tomato sauce
1/2 can enchilada sauce (We don't like food very spicy)
1 1/2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/4 - 1/2 tsp. cumin
Mix and simmer a few minutes or microwave 5 min. on high.
Fill and roll flour tortillas with following ingredients:
refried beans
grated cheese
ground beef and tomato sauce mixture (Reserve some sauce and cheese for top.)
Place rolled tortillas in microwave dish and cook in microwave on high for 9 minutes

FOIL DINNERS
Ben carries over this skill from his scouting days but we used a few conveniences to update it to the 21st century and make it "kid-friendly".
Layer the following on a heavy piece of aluminum foil:
1 frozen beef pattie (It will probably be thawed by the time everything is assembled and ready to cook.)
salt and pepper to taste
1 slice of onion (We had to explain to kids that they did not have to eat the onion if they didn't like it but that it was necessary for flavor.)
Frozen hash brown potatoes (shredded works best)
Very thinly sliced carrots
Any other very thinly sliced vegetables of your choice
Place a double piece of tin foil on top and seal the edges well by folding over.
Write names with magic marker on outside of packet.
Place packets in fire coals until cooked.
These make a good camping meal but somehow don't turn out so good when cooked in the oven.