More Menu Chatter

Ya'll probably don't give a hoot about what I fix for the crew, but I wanted to keep a record of it. When I looked around online for recipes other ranch wives fix for their crews, I kind of came up empty handed, but good food is good food and that's all that really matters. I've picked the brain of my ranch wife posse and we've all shared our favorites through the years so I think I've got a pretty good collection of tried and true recipes from which to choose. And no, you don't have to be a ranch wife to be a good cook. I know ya'll all have treasured recipes in your arsenal. Some of you have shared your favorites through the years and they have become my favorites as well. Thank you!

It just feels like I'm always fixing the same old thing. My boys aren't picky. Don't think I've ever had a picky crew in 33 years of doing this. The only thing thing these boys ever asked me not to ever fix was Banana Pudding. And my friend, Cheree, says her crew LOVES Banana Pudding. They would stage a mutiny if she didn't fix it. So go figure. I guess if I want Banana Pudding I'll just go to her house! 😄

Wednesday's breakfast menu included breakfast pizza, biscuits (yes, I make a lot of biscuits), bacon, pecan pie mini muffins, and fruit.
Dinner was Mexican Lasagna, homemade salsa, taquitos (not homemade 😉), corn, pimento cheese jalapenos, and salad. Strawberry Shortcake Dessert for dessert. This is one of my favorite summer desserts:

I posted the recipe here: Strawberry Shortcake Dessert. I should replace that awful photo at some point.

And gallons of iced tea. It was after 2 p.m. when they came in for dinner. Breakfast was at 4 a.m. They were thirsty (97° today) - DH does carry a big cooler with bottles of water for everyone. And hungry. So it didn't matter what was on the menu. It was amazing. LOL.

Around here we always say the difference between a good meal and a great meal is about 3 hours. 😄

Strawberry Shortcake Dessert

Well that's not a very good photo, but I can't retake it because there's not a speck left so this is what you get.

I made this yesterday for the crew. It's one of my 'go to' desserts in the summer when I have a crowd to feed and I have yet to hear any complaints. I've had this in my recipe file for years.

Something about the combination of strawberries and vanilla ice cream and angel food cake just comes together to make a wonderful summer dessert.

It doesn't photograph very well though, but just take my word for it - this is good stuff!

Strawberry Shortcake Dessert

1 large or 2 small Angel Food Cakes
1 large box instant vanilla pudding
2 c milk
1 quart vanilla ice cream
1 large box strawberry jello
2 c boiling water
2 10 oz tub of frozen strawberries

The Angel Food Cakes seem to have gotten smaller through the years so if I buy them from the bakery department at the grocery store, I usually buy 2. I also have trouble fitting this into a normal 9x13" pan so you'll either want something taller or larger. I have a large, blue enamel pan that I use for lasagna and it's perfect for this too.

*Break cake into pieces and put into a 11x15x3 pan. Mix together vanilla pudding and milk. Add softened ice cream. Stir to combine and pour over angel food cake. Mix together strawberry jello and boiling water. Add frozen strawberries and mix. Pour over pudding mixture and cake. Refrigerate and let set for about 4 hours.

I generally make my desserts the night before, but this will tend to get soggy, so I make it the morning I plan to serve it. It's quick to throw together though (unless you make the Angel Food Cake from scratch, which I do sometimes) so it's not a huge time commitment.

Enjoy!

edited (years later) to add a little more enticing photo. A food photographer, I am not, but rest assured, this is an awesome summertime dessert!