The 4th of July was a big summer holiday for my family when I was growing up. My Mom, Dad, Big Sister and Little Brother would go to my Uncle Elmer and Aunt Jean’s house. They lived kind of in the country for Florida. I remember one time especially well, I was about six years old. My Dad and Uncle Elmer roasted a whole pig. My Mom, Aunt Jean and her Sister made everything else to go with it, you know baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad ( my Mom’s was the best), corn on the cob and rolls.
Us kids played tag and ball in the field next to their house. When we were finish or just wanted to take a break we would just lie there and stare up at the sky. We could hear our Moms talking and laughing together.
My Dad always made home made ice cream and I can still remember the flavor; Tutti Fruitti. Our ice cream maker was a hand crank back then (the one I have is electric). My Dad would do all the churning. When it would start to get hard to turn, all of us kids would get in line to sit on the top of the ice cream maker. So, that there would be weight on it, my Dad said it helped him hold it in place but, looking back he really didn’t need our help. When the ice cream was almost ready he added all the mixed fruit. I don’t remembered how that roasted pig tasted but, I do remember that ice cream.
We didn’t have fire works but, we had sparklers. When it got dark we would run in the field with our sparklers, we loved sparklers. Then we all settled down and had that wonderful ice cream.
Now my Mom, Dad, Uncle Elmer and Aunt Jean are all gone but, they left me with wonderful memories of a simpler time when families gathered together and took the time to be together.
Hope that you have wonderful 4th of July, appreciate your freedom and family.
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Remember in the 70’s and 80’s you couldn’t go to a family reunion, pot luck supper or a company picnic and not have someone bring Watergate salad. It was a staple at those functions. I love Watergate salad, pudding, pineapple, pecans and those little marshmallows. Oh so yummy, I always thought of it as a dessert on the salad table.
It was originally called Pistachio Pineapple Delight. How or when the name changed is a mystery, no one knows for sure. Some believe it is linked to the political scandal of the time. Others believe it may have been served at the Watergate Hotel and they changed the name. I think it may have been a little of both. Of course it doesn’t really matter how it got its name, what matters is it is simply delicious and easy to make. Here is the recipe for Watergate salad:
WATERGATE SALAD
2 pkg. (4 serving) Jello-Pistachio instant pudding
2 cans (20 oz.) crushed pineapple undrained
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 cup chopped pecans
3 cups (8oz tub) thawed Cool Whip
Mix dry pudding mix, pineapple, marshmallows and pecans in a large bowl until well blended. Gently stir in the whipped topping; cover.
Refrigerate 1 hour or until ready to serve. Garnish with additional Cool Whip and chopped nuts, if desired.
Makes16 servings, about 1/2 cup each.
I would like to take credit for the Kraft Food and Family magazine but, it is not mine. I do enjoy sharing recipes and ideas from the Kraft magazine. Here is a recipe I tried this month. If you like the taste of potato skins, you will like this dish.
Roasted Red Potatoes with Bacon & Cheese
1/2 cup Kraft Light Ranch Reduced Fat Dressing
1/2 cup Kraft 2% Milk Shredded Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese
1/4 cup Oscar Mayer Real Bacon Bits
2 lb. small red potatoes, quartered
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
Preheat oven to 350 deg. Mix dressing, cheese and bacon bits in a large bowl. Add potatoes; toss lightly.
Spoon into lightly greased 13×9 inch baking dish; cover with foil.
Bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil; bake an additional 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Sprinkle with parsley and serve. Makes 8 servings, 2/3 cup each.
For more recipes from Kraft go to Kraftfoods.com. To receive the magazine click here.