Perfect White Rice

2 cups hot water

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup dry white rice

You need a pot with a good lid for this recipe. Put the water into the pot and bring it to a boil over high heat. Add the salt. When the water is at a full rolling boil, add the rice. Stir it up and return the water to a boil. Now reduce the heat to the lowest possible. Put the lid onto the pot and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Do not peak! The rice will cook, you have to trust it. When the time is up, remove the lid and serve. This makes enough for 4 servings, or about 3 cups.

This recipe is easily doubled. In this case use 4 cups hot water, 1 teaspoon salt and 2 cups of dry rice. Prepare just as directed. This makes enough for about 8 peoples, or it will serve 4 or 6 with plenty of leftovers.

Credit: Hillbilly Housewife

Squash Casserole

2 pounds (about six cups) squash

1/2 cup butter

1 cup chopped onion (or just one onion-I don't really measure it)

2 eggs

1 cup mayonnaise

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup bread crumbs (I don''t really measure this either)

Preheat oven yo 350 degrees. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add squash and cook until tender. Drain well. Place squash in a large mixing bowl. Add butter, reserving about 1/2 tablespoon, to the squash and mix.

Mix in onion, eggs, mayonnaise, salt and pepper, and cheese. Transfer mixture to a large casserole dish (about a 1 quart dish). Top with bread crumbs. Dot or sprinkle reserved butter on top. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes or so.

Hot Cocoa Mix

4 cups of nonfat dry milk powder

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup non-dairy coffee creamer

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 (4 ounce) package instant chocolate fudge pudding

Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl. If a finer consistency is desired, you can pour the mix into a blender or food processor and run it through that. Store in an airtight container. Add 1/4 to 1/2 (depending on your cocoa preference) of the mix to an 8 ounce mug of boiling water.