Candle in wine bottle. Happy Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving. My turkey in a bag in the oven. Yum.


Remember candles in wine bottles at all the italian restaurants? Probably not politically correct anymore, but fun to do. I am starting one with my anniversary wine bottle. Love Cakebread. Finding candles that drip is harder than I thought. Most are drip less.

Homemade Pot Pie and Tomato Salad

It's not a secret I'm not a cook. But, I do make a mean Pot Pie!! I just poached some chicken breasts, (or use leftovers), then shred, add a can of cream of chicken soup, a touch of milk and 1/2 bag of frozen mixed veggies, top with a bit of pie crust, (crust only on top, to control carbs and calories), then bake at 400 degrees, until brown on top. Yum. Costco had the best beefsteak tomatoes, we couldn't resist, and pared with some fresh mozzarella, and basil it was a great meal.

Yes, that is a concrete counter top, we poured several years ago in our kitchen. We sealed it with food grade sealer. We still love it today.

Garbage Can Nachos - Homemade Wine

How do you make your nachos. The hubs and I grilled some steak, his is rare, mine is done, haha. Then added fresh smashed pinto beans, cheese, green chilie, cilantro, and jalapenos. Topped it off with some amazing wine he made. Yep, the hubs made it. He is also working on a wine room. He has made a Merlot, and a Malbec. We had the Malbec with the nachos, it was wonderful. If you don't have a wine aerator check Cost Plus, makes a big difference in reds. What a great dinner. Check back for more on our wine room. How do you nacho?

Vintage Pyrex Nesting Bowls -- What do you mix in?

What do you mix in? I actually bought a set of these at an estate sale years ago, yes I even found pink. My parents had the turquoise set. I love them. I use them for all sorts of things. I even serve in them at parties and they are always a hit. I do however, have to convince my husband not to put them in the dishwasher, as it kind of ruins their finish. So now, I am on a hunt for a set for my college student. What classic color to get her? Hmmm. They were cheaper a few years back. Now on Ebay, they are a little pricey. But, I am going to hunt her down a set. May be a great excuse to hit a few of the antique shops around here just in case there is a set hiding. So what do you mix in? So retro, so fun.

I don't know where this picture is from. Sorry.

Magic Bullet Blender

Yeah!! I got a Magic Bullet for Christmas. Yes, I wanted one. I have seen the infomercial tons of times, and I think it is a hoot. Already made the Frozen Margaritas. Next, the Frozen Berry Sorbet. Then on to the low cal Bean Dip. Yeah. What crazy gift did you get that you really wanted?

Vintage Sears Mail Order - Homes - Giveaways

With the onslaught of advertising being put in my newspaper daily, it reminded me of the old Sears Catalog. Do you remember the Sears Catalog? Ok, how about Green or Gold Stamps, (that is totally another post). Remember, dog earring the pages, and showing your parents. Well, here is a blast from the past. Did you know Sears had mail order houses. They did and they have a whole archive of the houses, prices, descriptions, and floor plans at: http://www.searsarchives.com/homes. What a trip through time.

The home below was the San Jose 1928, and was $2138. Now I wonder if that included the stucco?

The beautiful home below, was circa 1913 and sold for $1273, which included all the material to build it. Talk about your DIY project.

Remember Sears Giveaways? The Vintage cookbook below, was probably a giveaway, with a barbeque grill. It is a fun and entertaining light cookbook, with cute pictures. It is available at my Etsy shop. Atticroute66, just click on the link on the right of the page.

Retro -- Gooey Butter Cake - With Pumpkin - Paula Dean

Add a little "retro" to your Thanksgiving, with this great Paula Dean Cake. Gooey Pumpkin Butter Cake. Super yummy, even if you are not a pumpkin lover. It is wonderful. Enjoy.

Ingredients
Cake:
1 (18 1/4-ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 egg
8 tablespoons butter, melted
Filling:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 tablespoons butter, melted
1 (16-ounce) box powdered sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well with an electric mixer.

Pat the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 13 by 9-inch baking pan.
To make the filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and pumpkin until smooth.

Add the eggs, vanilla, and butter, and beat together.

Next, add the powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and mix well.

Spread pumpkin mixture over cake batter and bake for 40 to 50 minutes.

Make sure not to overbake as the center should be a little gooey.
Serve with fresh whipped cream.

Cooking with Campbell's Soup - Holiday Cooking --Retro Cooking

Great Cookbook! Celebrate the Holidays with Campbell's Soup. Great retro cooking!! Great recipes, everything from main dishes to side dishes, to desserts. Cook with soup.
Just go to Ebay -- atticroute66 -- or by item number 130275107161. What a great cookbook to add to your collection, or that of a friend or relative. Enjoy.

Vintage Holiday Cookbook -- Cooking for Christmas

Looking for some new Holiday menus. Check this Complete Holiday Cookbook at my Ebay store. It has every Holiday and a dynamite menu for each. Just go to atticroute66 at Ebay or go directly to the item number 130270506600. You can also check my Etsy store by clicking on the right for great Holiday Cookbooks. Enjoy!

Fondue For Halloween

Halloween at your house? Make it Mexican and have a Halloween Fiesta! Do the good old fashioned Velveeta and Pace Picante Sauce in a Crock Pot or Fondue Pot. Or the other recipe is good old Velveeta and Rotel, yum. Then brown up some taco meat, take 12 corn tortillas, spritz with a bit or a dribble of water, wrap in aluminum foil and put in oven on 250 degrees until needed. Get your lettuce, tomatoes, some guacamole, and set out. Then go to your favorite Whole Foods, or Trader Joes, and get at least 3 different kinds of Salsa, and make a Salsa bar, set out with some great chips and you are ready to go.

Don't want to cook, skip the tacos and serve Taquitos, to dip in the salsa, cheese fondue, and quacamole. Yum.

Chips below from Cost Plus Warehouse. $2.49.

Carmel Apple Dipping Kit from Cost Plus $9.99.

Calabacitas Recipe -- Use your Zucchini and Tomatoes

Is your garden over run with zucchini and tomatoes? Well if it is -- Calabacitas is the dish for you!!

3-4 zucchini

1 can Nibblets corn -- or 1 cup frozen corn

1 15 oz can stewed tomatoes - or equivilant of fresh tomatoes, peeled (if your garden is full of tomatoes1 medium onion

1 or 2 cloves garlic

1 tablespoon butter

Cut and saute zucchini, onion, garlic, in butter, until onion is translucent and zucchini is cooked/soft. Then add your stewed tomatoes, and your corn and simmer until flavors meld about 10 - 15 minutes. Then eat and enjoy.

If I have left overs, the next day I add a can of black beans drained and some hamburger meat and serve it up.

Fun Retro Snacks - Julie & Julia Movie - Cooking

Julie & Julia the movie starts today. I can't cook, however, I can make a fun retro treat. Chex Muddy Buddies, recipe to follow. Great snack.

Julia Child's cooking demonstration, photo, Chicago Tribune.

Chex Muddy Buddies. Yum.

Chex Muddy Buddies - from Chex.com.
9 cups Corn Chex®, Rice Chex®, Wheat Chex® or Chocolate Chex® cereal (or combination)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Substitution
Peanut butter and chocolate are a favorite flavor combo, but peanut butter lovers can substitute peanut butter chips for the chocolate chips to intensify that flavor.
Special Touch
Need clever gift wrapping ideas for this 15-minute recipe? Check out Mix & Mingle with Chex® Party Mix.

1. Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
2. In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.
3. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): No change.

Seven Layer Dip and Margaritas

Friday Retro Fun. We normally have Margaritas and Nachos on our back patio on Fridays. However, this friday after watching a rerun of Swingtown and hearing about seven layer dip, I decided that would be more fun the nachos.

So for my Margaritas, I use Baja Bob's low carb mix, or Jose Cuervo's mix, and good old Patron, with a squeeze of orange.

Seven layer dip:

I am going with smashed and refried black beans, hamburger meat, mixed cheeses, sour cream, guacamole, scallions, and pico.

YUM!!!

What are you doing this Friday?

Scrambled Eggs - New Joe's Special

This dish is from my husband's father. It is a fun retro dish. He called it the New Joe's Special. It is made with scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, or chopped potatoes, hamburger meat, spinach and a dash of vinegar.

This is my own version that I call the Vegetarian New Joe's Special and it has, scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, spinach, and green chile.

This is great for any time of the day you can add sausage, chicken, leftover roast, use your imagination.

Fried Jalapenos -- Fried Pickles

Fried Jalapenos

Fried Jalapenos.

Fried Pickle Spears.

Fried Pickle Chips.

Fried Pickle Chips.

Awhile back I fried Jalapenos and Pickles and they were marvelous. Since my jalapeno plants are producing an abundance of jalapenos, I may have to fry again.

Take fresh jalapenos, and slice and pat dry.

Take 1 jar of sliced or speared pickles and pat dry.

1 Cup Flour

1 Cup Beer -- anykind will do

2 eggs

Emeril's seasoning 1 tablespoon -- or season salt, pepper, paprika

Oil

After jalapenos and pickles are patted dry, heat oil then dredge pickles and jalapenos and fry until golden brown. Serve with ranch dressing and your favorite beverage and lots of friends. Enjoy.

I fried mine outside on my side burner on my grill with a deep good old fashioned dutch oven.

Red White & Blue Jello Picnic Cake Retro Serve-In-Pan

Great for the 4th of July - Red White and Blue Jello Picnic Cake -- Retro -- Serve-in-pan style.

1 Box White Cake Mix - make according to sheet cake pan directions. Set aside to cool.

2 Boxes Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix - make in large bowl and set aside in refrigerator until needed for frosting.

2 Boxes of jello - 1 Red - 1 Blue make according to package directions - after cake has been cooled.

Take cooled cake and a straw and poke holes in it either in a random pattern or lines, then rotate pouring the red and blue jello into varios holes -- red in some and blue in some. Once all holes are filled, put cake back in refrigerator until it has set, then take out the pudding mix stir well, and frost on top of cake as you would any frosting. Then replace in refrigerator. Cake should be kept cool until right before serving. Serve straight out of the pan.

Could also be made as cupcakes.

TV Dinners -- TV Dinner Party --Retro Cooking

Remember the old TV Dinners. Three or four compartment aluminum foil. We always had them when our parents went out. We had a sitter and a TV Dinner. Well, they still make them, and you can still find some in the aluminum foil. So what about a throw back to an old era, and host a TV Dinner Party. Everyone could bring their old favorite, or you could supply them. Retro cocktails and a good hour of socializing while they heat in the oven, or be adventurous and heat on the grill. Either way, skip the microwave and do it up old fashioned style. I'm thinking about the mexican food one or the good old chicken standby. What about you?

Vintage Recipe Nachos Casserole with Corn Flakes

Vintage cookbooks have great retro comfort food. This Nachos Casserole is made with Corn Flakes cereal, and is a great use for those kind of stale ones at the end of the box. Try it.

1 cup chunky taco sauce - or smooth if the kids don't like chunky.

1 can 4 oz. green chiles chopped - again, can omit if the kids don't like chiles

1 pound ground beef - don't like beef - substitute shredded chicken - or do half and half

1/2 cup chopped onions

1 cup refried beans

2 Cups shredded cheddar or mexican mix cheese

1/2 cup water

4 cups Kellogg's Corn Flakes cereal

1. Combine taco sauce and chiles, set aside.

2. In large frypan, cook ground beef and onions until meat is browned. Drain off excess drippings. Add beans, 1 cup cheese, half of the taco sauce mixture and water.

3. Pour 2 cups Corn Flakes into lightly greased 12 x 7 1/2 x 2 inch (2 quart) glass baking dish. Cover with meat mixture. Top with remaining taco sauce mixture. Sprinkle with remaining cereal.

4. Bake at 350F for about 25 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake just until cheese melts. Garnish as shown in picture, or set garnishes in small bowls and let eveyone choose their own garnish.

Yield: 6 servings

Great to make on Thursday and serve as leftovers on Saturday afternoon.

Great Budget Meal.

Retro Kitchen - Doris Day

I love looking at retro kitchens, they always have an idea you can take away with you. I love this picture of Doris Day in her 1966 Malibu Kitchen. I love the door openers in the middle of the door, they kind of look like door knockers. Also, notice the sleek built in radio just below her hand. So cool.

TV Dinners - Fun and Retro

Do you remember TV Dinners? The Aluminum or Tin Foil. Cooking them for 40-60 minutes? They were fun. You got to choose what you ate, and eat out of the little compartments, and best of all your food was separated, no mixing of the gravy or tastes. Well they still make them, although they are in plastic, and most people microwave them. Take a browse in your supermarket, and pick up one for a crazy dinner evening with the kids or the hubs, and instead of microwaving, find one you can put in the old fashioned oven and enjoy some conversation while it cooks. While you eat, remember the old days. What fun.