Do you have a favorite recipe and a story that goes with it?
If so, then I want to talk to you!
You don't have to be a first-class chef to whip up a tasty meal (although if you are a first-class chef, feel free to send in a favorite recipe - I promise not to discriminate!), and I want to hear about your favorite dishes.
And I believe that just about every recipe has a story that goes along with it. It doesn't have to be a fancy recipe or an elaborate story, just something that you would like to share with others in the area. Maybe it is a recipe that you came up with on your own, something you have adapted to make it your own, or even something that you discovered while "making do" with what you had - those are all things I want to hear about.
It doesn't matter to me if it is a quick 30-minute meal (which is great for everyone with a busy lifestyle) or something that is a bit more involved (perfect for a special occasion), as long as you want to share, I want to hear about it.
There's just something about a home-cooked meal that makes you feel warm inside. Nothing is quite as inviting as opening the front door and having the smell of something baking in the oven envelop you. It just makes you feel warm and at ease, doesn't it?
So here's the deal. Share your recipe and story with me and I'll put it in this column to share with all our readers. The story can explain how you got the recipe, why it is your favorite recipe or just why the recipe is special to you.
I plan to run this column once a week, and if the response is good, I will run special editions near the holidays. And it doesn't matter what kind of dish you share - appetizers, cocktails, desserts, main courses, side dishes, vegetarian meals, ethnic cooking - all are welcome!
All I ask is that you submit your name, address and telephone number, so I can contact you for more information and to verify the recipe. Your name and town will be included with the recipe and story - I want to give credit where credit is due.
You may share recipes by e-mailing me at jgibson@timesuniononline.com, or sending them to Jen Gibson, Times-Union, P.O. Box 1448, Warsaw, IN 46581-1448. Feel free to call me for more information at 574-267-3111, Ext. 213.
Now, to get the ball rolling, I will include a recipe of my own. Well, actually a recipe that was passed to me from my dad. And I believe he got the recipe from a couple of my aunts, Joyce and Becky, who are notorious in the family for their baking, especially during the holidays!
Heaven On A Baking Sheet
1 box cake mix, any flavor (I like to use yellow cake or butter cake mix)
1 stick of butter
2-12 ounce packages of candy chips (mix and match, I like to experiment and use a variety of candy or flavored chips)
1-14 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
Coconut flakes, optional
In a mixing bowl, cut the butter into the cake mix (mix will be crumbly). Spread the mixture in a 9x13 baking sheet. Sprinkle chips evenly over the mixture.
Then pour the sweetened condensed milk over the mixture and the chips.
