If you have any "O" recipes please feel free to post them here. Also note that these recipes now have their own category also called "Cooking From A to Z."

-- Melissa (me@home.net), January 10, 2002

Answers

I know this sounds pretty lame-but it's really good and different. The carrots give the jello and unexpected crunch.

Crunchy Orange Jello

Dissolve 1 small box of orange jello according to package directions. Add 2-3 shredded carrots. Chill.

-- Charleen in WNY (harperhill@eznet.net), January 10, 2002.

Actually it sounds pretty good to me!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), January 10, 2002.

Oven baked potatoes,

Something I learned over the years on how to get a good baked potatoe. I don"t do foil as it makes it soggy. I scrubb the potatoes good, as I like to eat the skins, I roll them in oil, and then in salt, Put a big slit in each one and set on rack in oven at 400. Bake till nice and crispy. Don"t put them in a pan, just on open rack. Irene

-- Irene texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), January 10, 2002.

Fried Okra, From Lubbys cafeteria, 2 cups flour, 1 1/2 cups water, 12 oz. okra fresh or frozen 2 to 3 cups saltine cracker crumbs, veg. oil.

In bowl whisk together flour and water until smooth. Place okra in Large bowl.Place crumbs in separate bowl.

Pour half the mixture over okra. Toss gently to coat evenly. Let stand 15 seconds, Add remaining flour mixture and toss until evenly coated.

Remove okra with slotted spoon and add to crumbs. Toss gently to coat evenly Remove from crumbs and place on tray or baking sheet large enough to hold in a single layer. Place in freezer until ready to cook. In frying pan, Heat oil, enough to fry well. Place frozen breaded okra in frying pan, Fry 5 or 6 mins. Until golden brown.

I skip a lot of this, as I use fresh okra out of garden, use there seasoning,and flour and crackers. And fry in cast Iron skillet.

-- Irene texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), January 10, 2002.

ONION PIE (Much better than it sounds!)

Crust:

Crush 30 saltine crackers, mix with 1/2 cup melted butter, press on bottom of large shallow baking dish.

Topping: Using 1/4 cup melted butter, saute 3 cups thinly sliced onions until golden brown. Put this on top of the cracker crust. On top of this, sprinkle 1/2 lb. sharp cheddar cheese, grated or shredded. This may be done hours ahead of baking. Just before baking:

Add 1 1/2 cup scalded milk to 3 beaten eggs with 1/2 teas. salt and 1/2 teas. pepper. Pour this over the first mixture. Bake about 30 minutes at 350, or until custard sets.

If you keep onions in refrigerator, you won't cry when you peel and slice them. After working with onions, wet hands, pour on some salt, rub hands, rinse with cold water, then wash as usual--no onion odor!

-- gibson girl (bobtravous@email.com), January 16, 2002.

OREO DESSERT

Oreos--one pkg, 20 oz. Reserve about 12 cookies for topping

8 oz. cream cheese

2 small pkg. vanilla instant pudding

3 cups milk

1 large pkg. Cool Whip

Put crushed oreos on bottom of 12x9 pan. Mix cream cheese and 1 cup milk, add pudding and remaining 2 cups milk. Layer pudding, then cool whip, then the reserved crushed Oreos. Cover and store in refrigerator.

Enjoy and don't count the calories!

-- gibson girl (bobtravous@email.com), January 16, 2002.