Grandma John's Overnight Casserole

Grandma John would come for long visits to California.  When she was there she would spoil us with yummy dinners and desserts!  This casserole makes an excellent meal!

Grandma John's Overnight Casserole

1 3/4 cup cooked elbow macaroni
2 cups cooked and diced chicken
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup shredded cheese
2 cups milk
buttered bread crumbs

Put macaroni in a large bowl. Add chicken and cheese. In a separate bowl combine soups and milk. Pour soup over macaroni, chicken and cheese. Mix well and pour into a greased casserole dish. Cover casserole dish and put container in refrigerator overnight. When ready to cook, put in oven for 1 1/2 hours at 350 degrees F.

Jack's Grilled Peanut Butter Sandwich

Yes the title is true... Grilled Peanut Butter.  Jack, Jamie's Dad did not spend much time in the kitchen. He grilled outside on his gas grill. When he was in the kitchen one delicacy he would make on occasion is a grilled peanut butter sandwich.

Jack's Grilled Peanut Butter Sandwich

sourdough bread
peanut butter
butter
sliced banana (optional)

Lightly butter one side of a piece of sourdough bread. On the unbuttered side, slather some peanut butter.  Top the peanut butter with another slice of bread and lighly butter the side that is up.  Place sandwich onto a heated skillet.  Cook until the buttered sides are golden brown.  Serve...and enjoy!

Grandma John's Sugar Cookies

Grandma John had the baker's dream kitchen in the basement of her home in Owatonna, Minnesota.  Her basement kitchen was equipped with professional stainless steel appliances, countertops galore and a giant double sink.  She baked and baked to her heart's content and spoiled her 21 grandkids with many homemade goodies.  Grandma John would even make her way west to California with a suitcase full of frozen goodies. Oh, how we miss her and her fun sense of humor.

Grandma John's Sugar Cookies

1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 cup Crisco oil
1 cup Crisco shortening
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
4 cups flour

Mix sugars, oil and shortening together.  Add the rest of the ingredients.  Roll dough into balls and flatten with either a glass or a cookie press that has been dipped in sugar.  You can use colored sugars if you would like.
Bake 10 minutes in a 375 degree oven.

Grandma John's Goulash

Grandma John a.k.a Esther Johnson was Jamie's dad, John C. Getskow's mother.  Grandma John was a culinary queen in the kitchen.  As a mother of 8, Esther made food for her troops.  Aunt Betty, Esther's eldest daughter shared this recipe saying, "Mom could feed a crew with this recipe!" Thank you, Betty!

Grandma John's Goulash

2 cups elbow macaroni
1 pound lean ground beef
1 can stewed tomatos
1 16 oz can tomato juice
1 can tomato soup
corn or kidney beans
1 onion chopped
1 tsp chili powder (optional)

Cook the macaroni according to package instructions.  Fry ground beef and onion together, drain fat.  Mix all ingredients in a greased casserole dish.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes.

Budweiser Garlic-Herb Cheeseburgers

Budweiser. Family friend to family get togethers for both sides of family.  For many years Budweiser has been at many a family celebration.

Budweiser Garlic-Herb Cheeseburgers

1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1/4 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
1/2 can Budweiser beer or Bud Light
Salt and Pepper
1/2 cup garlic-herb cheese spread
4 round French rolls
Lettuce, tomato, onion slices and or pickles

Combine top four above ingredients and shape into four 1/2 inch thick patties. Sprinkle patties with salt and pepper.  Grill on the barbecue until desired doneness is achieved.  Prepare the rolls with 1 Tbs. garlic-herb cheese, top with burger and then add another other topping you would like.

Drunken Crockpot Tri Tip Roast

This creation is from the kitchen of Mrs. Larry Robert Voeltz, formerly Jamie Getskow.  This crockpot dish is simply amazing.  A fantastic blend of unique flavors. Family tasted and family approved. This recipe serves four hungry people.

Drunken Crockpot Tri Tip Roast

One 1 1/2 pound Tri Tip
3 Red Potatoes
2 Butter White Potatoes
1 Yam cut in thirds or quartered
2 Carrots, cut into 2 inch chunks
Italian Seasoning
Lawrys Seasoning Salt
Ground Red Pepper
1/2 Cup Water
1 Tbs. Beef Base
1/2 tsp. Minced Garlic
1 12 oz. can Bud Light beer

Season the bottom of crockpot with the seasonings. Place Tri Tip on top of seasoned bottom. Sprinkle the top with seasonings. Place potatoes and yam pieces over meat. Place carrots around potatoes and over meat. Sprinkle the tops with Italian Seasonings. In a small bowl mix water, beef base and garlic. Microwave for 30 seconds. Remove from microwave and stir. Pour beer in the bowl, stir again. Pour Beef and Beer mixture over the contents of crockpot. Depending on when you are serving your meal, put the cover on the pot and set on high for 4-6 hours of low 6-8 hours.

Serve the Meat and Potatoes to your Man with Buttered Wheat toast and a Bud Light!

My List From Popper

My List From Popper

Popper was Robby's Maternal Grandfather. What a guy! We think of him often and miss him dearly. He was one in a million. One of the most intelligent and wise men ever. He could have written the questions to at least 4 Trivial Pursuit games without having to do any research.

Memories of Popper often revolve around food. I found a special paper this week, on it a list, dictated to me by our beloved Popper from many years ago. The note paper has little angels on it and reads...

Some days, the only place to go is UP! Until Heaven is ready, I'll just send a note.

This list has all of the things any good Italian Family would have ready in their refrigerator.

Bottles and Packages of things

Genoa Salami
Hot ham (has red pepper edges)
Proscuitini (has black pepper edges)
Sliced Provolone

Wedges of sharp cheese
Salamette (regular)
Pepperoni
black olives
greek olives
breads and rolls
regular italian provolone
Pecorino (sheep) Parmesan Cheese (at least 3 pounds)
wine

He also told me the best places to by these items.

Monte Carlo in Burbank on Magnolia
Romano's in the valley

Green Salad With Oil and Vinegar

This salad is one of Robby's favorites.  His Mommer (aka. Rob's Grandmother, Doris Fiello) is the best oil and vinegar salad dressing creator in the world.  She whips it up and it is magic.  Mommer can make anything taste amazing and part of the magic is she doesn't measure.  She knows the right proportions and everything turns out delicous!

Green Salad With Oil and Vinegar

Virgin olive oil
cider vinegar
garlic powder
salt and pepper
assorted salad greens
tomatoes
carrots, celerey, bell peppers
any raw vegetables you like; broccoli, onions, cauliflower, etc

The amount of ingredients depend on how many you are feeding.

Sprinkle the olive oil on the salad first, then sparingly sprinkle vinegar, salt and pepper to taste.  You have to taste the finished product, adjust to your taste.  You can usually use more garlic than you think.  Toss together lightly.

Scalloped Corn

Creamed Corn a staple on the dinner table during the holidays at the California Getskow house and Getskow homes in the midwest.  This recipe is from Jamie's cousin Suzy Hansen Berg.

Scalloped Corn


1 can creamed corn
1/2 can milk
1 sleeve saltine crackers
2 eggs
1 stick butter
pepper to taste

In a 2qt baking dish beat eggs. Add creamed corn and milk,mix well. Crush crackers and stir into egg and corn mixture untill well mixed. Dot top with butter, sprinkle pepper on top. Place in 350 degree oven and bake for 1 hour or until toothpick in center comes out clean. if you want, you can add onion and garlic to the mixture before baking

Baked Seafood Pasta

This recipe is from Jamie's Cousin Joe's beautiful wife, Jenna.  She is such a love and so much fun to go to weddings with!


Baked Seafood Pasta
(Straight track to a heart Attack, but so worth it. -Jenna Pellowski)

Cook 1/2 lb mafalda noodles to al dente
Add shrimp, crab and scallops or your fav combo
2 cups italian shredded cheese mix
1 can alfredo sauce
pepper to taste

Mix all together and then top with 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Cook at 375 degrees about half hour or until top is light brown and bubbly.