soups and salads

2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons flour 1/4 tsp salt (optional) 1 cup milk In a heavy saucepan, melt the butter. Sprinkle the flour over it and stir to incorporate. Cook over medium low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. Slowly whisk in the milk. Variations: Cream of Chicken – If you want to make a cream of chicken flavored sauce, use half broth and half milk. If you have troubles getting this to be smooth, try heating the milk or broth before adding to the flour and butter....

1 16 oz bag pasta (bow tie or curly) 1 bunch green onions 1 container cherry tomatoes 1 jar pitted kalamata olives 1 jar artichoke hearts (in water) 1 little container toasted pine nuts 1 package feta cheese 1 cup Parmesan cheese 1 bunch flat leaf parsley 1 bunch roasted asparagus Dressing: 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar 1 or 2 large garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons dijon mustard 2/3 cup olive oil...

finely chopped or shredded cabbage shredded carrots (optional) finely chopped or shredded onions (optional) mayonnaise (I prefer Hellman’s, my grandmother uses Miracle Whip, but use whatever mayonnaise you have on hand) salt and pepper celery seed apple cider vinegar I am guilty. I’m like my grandmother. I make food without recipes, and this is one. My cole slaw never comes out the same and the ingredients vary greatly, but it always has cabbage, mayonnaise, celery seed, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper....

1 small package orange Jell-O 1 (16-ounce) carton cottage cheese 1 (8-ounce) container Cool Whip 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1 can mandarin oranges, drained Mix dry Jell-O with cottage cheese until dissolved. Add oranges and fold in Cool Whip. Cover and keep cold. Recipe courtesy of Laura’s maternal grandmother, Nana.

1 meaty ham bone or 1 large ham hock* 6 cups water 1 1/2 cups dried lentils 2 cups sliced carrots, about 3 to 4 medium carrots 1 cup chopped celery 1 cup chopped onion 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon sugar 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 bay leaf In a stock pot, combine ham bone, water, lentils, carrots, celery, onion, salt, sugar, pepper and bay leaf. Cover and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for about 1 hour, or until lentils are tender....