Aunt Mamie's Banana Bread

5 bananas, mashed
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter or margarine
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
4 cups flour
1 cup chopped nuts

Blend together and bake at 250 for 1 1/2 hours.

from Helen Macfarlane who got it from Kevin

Grandma Mary's Peppermint Bark

1 pkg white choc chips
24 starlight peppermints

Melt chocolate chips and stir until smooth (microwave or double boiler).

Put mints in a bag and break them up with a hammer. Put them in a strainer to remove big chunks. Stir peppermint dust into white chocolate and pour out onto foil. Sprinkle remaining candy on top.

from Helen Macfarlane who got it from her mother

Microwave Caramel Popcorn

10 marshmallows
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 pkg microwave popcorn

Cook popcorn in microwave and leave in bag. Put other ingredients in a microwave dish and cook 1 minute. Stir and cook in 30 second increments until melted. Put popcorn in a bowl (I shake the bag so the seeds go to the bottom and then try not to let any get in the bowl). Pour caramel mixture over the top and stir.

from Helen Macfarlane

Helen's Artichoke Dip

1 1/2 cups artichoke hearts, chopped (about one can, use NON marinated)
1 4oz can diced green chilis
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1 cup mayonaise

Blend well and bake until heated through (bubbling in center). Serve with crackers. I like Triscuit triangles best.

from Helen Macfarlane

Blue Cheese Ball

1/2 lb blue cheese, or cheddar cheese or half and half.
1/4 lb butter
1/2 lb cream cheese
2 Tbsp Sherry (or cooking sherry or none)
1/2 tsp dry mustard

Blend in food processor. Chill for several hours. Roll in fresh parsley, chives and chopped pecans.

from Helen Macfarlane

Party Cheese Ball

8 oz softened cream cheese
8 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 Tbsp finely chopped onion
1 Tbsp chopped red bell pepper
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp lemon juice
Dash ground red pepper (cayenne)
1 cup chopped pecans (toasted if desired)

Beat cream cheese and Cheddar in small bowl with mixer until well blended. Add all remaining ingredients except nuts. Mix well. Refrigerate several hours. Shape into ball; roll in nuts. Serve with crackers.

from Helen Macfarlane