Potato Salad

 I am not the best potato salad maker, but have been working on a recipe for some time. I am putting this here so I can find the recipe when I want. Plan ahead and boil eggs ahead of time. Also add other ingredients you like if you want.

Potato Salad

Ingredients:

• 8 medium potatoes, boiled
• 1 small red onion
• 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup cream
• 1 stalk celery chopped
• 1/4 cup  sweet pickle relish or dill pickle relish
• 1 T. dijon mustard or yellow mustard
• 1 T. lemon juice 
• 2 T. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. paprika
• 4 hard boiled eggs, chopped
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced chives
• 1 T. parsley flakes
• Salt and pepper 

Directions:

1. In large pot boil and cook potatoes until potatoes are easily pierced with a knife, 12-15 minutes. Drain and let cool. Peel and cut into 1/2 inch pieces.
2. In large bowl mix mayonnaise and cream.  Add onion, celery, pickle relish, mustard, lemon juice, and paprika. Mix until combined.
3. Fold in potatoes, eggs, chives and parsley; salt and pepper to taste.
4. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Chocolate Chip Sour Cream Fudge Cake

 This is such an easy cake to make and is wonderful!

Chocolate Chip Sour Cream Fudge Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg chocolate sour cream cake mix (I used devils food)
• 1 pkg. instant chocolate fudge pudding mix
• 1 cup sour cream
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup salad oil
• 1/2 cup water
• 6 oz. pkg. chocolate chips 

Directions:

1. Beat all ingredients except chips for 4-6 minutes.  Stir in chips. 
2. Pour into greased and floured Bundt pan. 
3. Bake in 350 oven for 50 minutes. Cool 12 minutes and remove from pan.  If you use a 9X13 pan probably bake about 30 minutes.

Ganache for frosting

        1:1 ratio chocolate to cream

         I use 4 oz. Chocolate chips and 1/2 cup cream

1. Put chocolate in a bowl.
2. Heat cream until it starts to simmer. Remove from heat and pour over chocolate.
3. Let it set for about 5 minutes.  Stir until it is a smooth frosting.  May have to cool a bit to drizzle over cake.

Creamy Cucumbers

 We love creamy cucumbers especially in the summer.  It is a great side dish. You can add other seasonings as you desire. This is just a basic recipe.

Creamy Cucumbers

Ingredients:

• 1 large cucumber (an English cucumber works good)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup cream
• 1 T. white sugar
• 1 T. vinegar

Directions:

1. Slice cucumber into thin slices.
2. Spread slices on a large plate and sprinkle both side with salt.  Let set 30 minutes.  Drain in a colander and pat dry with a paper towel.  
3. Mix cream, sugar and vinegar. 
4. Add cucumbers to a bowl and add the cream mixture.
5. Refrigerate 

Can add onions to cucumbers if desired.  Seasonings to use include dill, garlic powder, and onion powder.