Great Recipes from My Husband's Hometown

Image credit:  Harlan ISD 

This Labor day was a great weekend!  My husband was born and raised in beautiful Harlan, Kentucky, in the eastern part of the state.  I have been blessed to visit this beautiful town, for over 20 years.  There are some fantastic cooks here and, I thought I would share several great recipes with you out of the Harlan Independent School District cookbook...my Mother-in-law gave me this great keepsake yesterday. *Local cookbooks that are compiled with the best local recipes are a treasure and, hard to beat! 

My family with my sweet parents-in-law, Pat and Jerry Bryson

Last weekend we went there to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the local school district, my husband's alma mater.  We were especially excited to attend a banquet, in honor of the new inductees in to the Harlan ISD "Hall of Fame".  My dear Mom-in-law, Patricia Bryson, was one of the award winners.  She was recognized for her 25 years of service as the Founder of the school district's pre-school, "Sunshine School".  We are especially proud of all she has done to serve the children of this town over the years. 

Sunshine Pre-School, Harlan, Kentucky

You talk about great southern cooking!  I am excited to share these recipes with you.  The cookbook is called "Dragon Favorites" by the Harlan (Kentucky) ISD Alumni Association.  Enjoy!  Do you want your own copy?  No problem...just leave me a comment and, I would be happy to get you one! 


Warning:  These recipes are "keepers".  


Fruit Dip


1 jar marshmallow cream
1 package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 t. lemon juice


Combine all ingredients and stir until smooth.  Really good on any fresh fruit.


Hot Chicken Salad


4 cups chicken breast, cooked and cubed
2 cups celery, chopped
1 can water chestnuts, sliced
1 cup toasted sliced almonds
1 t. salt
1 cup mayonaise
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
1 cup potato chips, crushed
1/2 cup corn flakes, crushed


Mix first 7 ingredients and put in a greased 9 x 13 glass Pyrex dish.  Top with crushed chips and corn flakes.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until hot. 


Five-Cup Salad


1 cup pineapple chunks, drained
1 cup mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1 cup sour cream


Combine all ingredients and chill several hours.  This is EASY and, very good!


Chicken and Rice 


1 cup rice
2 1/2 cups water
1 package onion soup mix
4 chicken breasts


Bring rice, water and soup mix to a boil and cook 15 minutes on low heat (until moisture is gone).  Put in a greased casserole.  Place chicken on top.  Butter chicken.  Pour milk over until you can see it in the rice.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.  


Corn Pudding


1/3 stick butter
1/4 c. flour
1/4 c. sugar
1 large can creamed corn
1 empty can (use corn can) of milk
3 eggs


Melt butter in a 9 x 13 glass dish.  Blend flour and sugar. Beat eggs and mix in flour-sugar.  Slowly pour in melted butter.  Stir in corn.  Fill empty can with milk.  Blend with the remaining ingredients.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.


Beer Rolls


4 cups Bisquick
3 T. sugar
1 can beer, room temperature


Mix all ingredients lightly and spoon into a well greased muffin pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  Makes 12 large muffins.


Pumpkin Cake


2 cups sugar
1 1/2 c. oil
4 eggs
3 cups flour
2 t. baking powder
2 t. soda
1/2 t. salt
2 t. cinnamon
1/2 c. milk
1 can pumpkin
1 c. pecans, chopped (optional)
1/2 cup raisins
1 package cream cheese
1/2 stick butter
1 box powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla


Combine sugar, cooking oil and eggs.  Beat well.  Sift together the dry ingredients and add to above mixture. Blend in milk, pumpkin, pecans and raisins.


Bake in 3 greased and floured cake pans at 300 degrees for 35-40 minutes.  Cool and frost with the following:  In a bowl, mix up:  cream cheese and butter until creamy.  Add powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until creamy.  Spread between the layers and on top and sides.  SO good!!!


There are few things I love more than to pore through a new cookbook.  Love it!  I truly hope you prepare some or all of these recipes soon.  Invite some friends over and, have a great time being together!   


Very Best To You, Beth