When I moved south from Connecticut, I was confused whenever I went to a local restaurant or a friend's house and was offered OKRA. What were they trying to give me I wondered? Well I had to try the local food so I did. It was great fried but I am not wild about it boiled. Here is some history behind OKRA. Okra is an edible green seedpod that was native to Africa but today grows in America's South. It is especially associated with southern cuisine as a favorite. It is also used in Creole as gumbo thickener. Mrs. Hockert

• Recipe for Okra Patties

11/2c. Sliced okra                1tsp. salt                 2 tbsp. buttermilk        1/8 tsp. pepper

3 tbsp. flour                        1 egg beaten           2 tbsp. cornmeal        cooking oil

Boil okra in a small amount of water until tender; drain well. Combine okra, buttermilk, flour, cornmeal, salt, pepper, and egg. Drop by tablespoonfuls into heated oil; fry until brown

      Chili by Larry

1lb ground beef                   1 medium onion, chopped                ½ c chopped green pepper

1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste   1 can (151/2oz.) kidney beans, undrained

½ c water                           1 tsp salt                                        1/4tsp garlic powder

2-3tsp chili powder

Step 1: Crumble ground beef in 2-qt. glass casserole. Stir in onion and green pepper. Cover with glass lid

Step 2: Microwave about 5-6 minutes on high, or until meat is browned. Drain and stir in remaining ingredients, recover

Step 3:Microwave 14-18minutes on med. High until hot. Let stand covered 5 minutes before serving

Serves about 4-6 people Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over bowls if desired

• Big Al's favorite-Swedish Meatballs

11/2 lb. ground beef            1 can chicken broth             1 can tomato soup

1can chicken and rice soup  ½ green pepper, chopped coarsely

½ med. Onion, chopped coarsely     salt and pepper to taste plus a pinch of parsley

1 Tempo Swedish Meatball Mix or ½ c crumbs and 1/2 c milk

Directions: Mix 3 soups, salt and pepper in a pan. Heat on medium. Mix ground beef, Tempo mix or breadcrumbs and cover partially for 11/2 to 2 hours. (This can also be prepared in a crock-pot. Other changes may include adding 1 tablespoon flour or 1 env. Lipton onion soup mix or 1pt sour cream

• Kids Sweets:

• Chocolate Truffles

1 can sweetened condensed milk         ¾ c butter (41/2tablespoons)

¾ c cocoa powder (unsweetened)         1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions: On stove, melt butter on low heat. Add cocoa and stir. Let cool then add milk and vanilla. Chill for 3 to 4 hours. Roll the chocolate into little balls. Next roll balls into powdered sugar before putting them on a plate. Keep chilled until serving

• Fish in a Pond

½ low fat cream cheese or cheese spread

Fish shaped crackers

4 celery ribs, stems removed

Scoop the cream cheese into a bowl. You can tint the cream cheese with blue food coloring to make it look like a pond. Place the goldfish (crackers) in a separate bowl, or surround the pond with them. Kids dip the celery sticks into the cheese then into the bowl of crackers to catch a fish

Serves 2

• Snack: Monkey Mix

11/4 cups dried bananas            1 cup each dried papaya and dried mango

¼ c sliced almonds                    ¼ c coconut

¼ c mini chocolate chips (a tasty substitute for bugs)

Combine ingredients and enjoy

All time kids favorite Pizza in the U.S. we call for home delivery mostly!

• Quick Pizza is English muffins, pizza sauce, pepperoni and shredded mozzarella cheese

Heat in toaster oven or oven at 375F until cheese melts