Friday's Blue Plate Specials

Breakfast: On your own today – Nelli is out shoveling snow.

Dinner: Minestrone
French Bread

Minestrone: In a large pot, saute 1 large chopped onion in 2 Tblsp olive oil until onion is tender. Stir in 1 small can diced tomato with juice, 2 cups cubed zuchinni, 3 diced potatoes, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 Tblsp basil and two 14 oz cans vegetable stock. Cover and simmer over low heat about 45 minutes, until all vegetables are done. Add ½ cup elbow macaroni or any small pasta you like. Cook 15 minutes until pasta is done. Serve with fresh grated Parmesan cheese.

French Bread: In a large bowl, mix 2 Tblsp butter flavor shortening with 1 tsp salt and 1 Tblsp sugar. Pour in 1 cup boiling water, stir until shortening is melted. Add 1 cup cold water and 1 package yeast. Stir in 2 ½ cups sifted flour until smooth. Add 2 ½ to 3 cups more sifted flour; just enough to make a soft dough. Knead 5 minutes. Cover and let rise until double; about 1 hour. Punch down and shape into two long loaves. Place on greased baking sheet, cover and let rise until double; about 40 minutes. Bake at 350 45 minutes, or until loaves sound hollow when thumped. Immediately slather with butter if you want a soft crust.

Lunch: Chocolate Pound Cake

In large bowl beat together 1 ½ cup softened butter with 3 cups sugar until creamy. Add 2 tsp vanilla. One at a time, beat in 5 eggs. In a separate bowl, mix together 2 cups sifted flour, 1 cup cocoa, ½ tsp each baking powder and salt. Alternately add dry ingredients and 1 ¼ cup buttermilk to creamed egg/sugar mixture. Mix until well blended. Pour batter into a greased and floured Bundt or tube pan. Bake 60-75 minutes at 325. Let cool in pan for 20 minutes and then turn out onto serving plate. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.

Supper: Pan-fried catfish
Tartar Sauce
Scalloped Potatoes

Scalloped Potatoes: Peel and thinly slice 4 -5 potatoes. In a saucepan, melt ¼ cup butter and whisk in ½ cup flour. Cook and stir until smooth and bubbly, Stir in 1 ½ cups half & half. Cook and stir until thickened. In a greased 8 x 8 pan, place a layer of potatoes, sprinkle with 1/8 cup finely minced onion. Pour half the sauce over. Repeat layers, ending with potatoes. Dot with butter. Cover and bake at 350 for 1 hour. Uncover and cook 30 minutes.

Catfish: Coat catfish filets on both sides with cornmeal and fry in hot oil or bacon drippings until nicely browned, turning once.

Tartar Sauce: Mix ¼ cup each catsup and mayonnaise. Stir in 2 Tblsp sweet relish. Chill.