Hamilton Herald Masthead

Editorial


Front Page - Friday, August 14, 2009

Kay's Cooking Corner




This past week my younger sister from Colorado, Karen, was visiting. We do not get to see her often, so it is always such a treat.
So far, Karen and Mom have been to Memphis to visit relatives, spent a night in Conway with my oldest sister, repaired a few things around Mom’s house, done some gardening, gone shopping and have even been to Harris-Brake Lake for a few nights. Whew! And she’s still here for another week!
Of course, we have been eating a lot too, as you normally do with company, and I have a great recipe for you provided by my daughter, April. First, I want to tell you a story. Not only have Mom and Karen been busy, they have been heroes! Heroes who saved a man’s life!
They called me one night while they were at Harris-Brake Lake to tell me their story, which, well – I was so proud of them I thought it needed to be told to more people than just me.
One night after they finished their dinner of grilled steaks, grilled corn on the cob, baked potatoes, and I don’t know what else (there was other stuff), they decided to go sit on the front porch and enjoy the sunset.
Once they got out front, they heard a man calling for help. They couldn’t tell where it was coming from, so they started searching, finally spotting him out in middle of the lake. He had fallen out of his boat and was yelling and flailing his arms, trying to stay afloat.
Well, Karen said she knew that she couldn’t swim out to the middle of the lake, and even if she could have (she weighs all of 100 pounds soaking wet), she wouldn’t have been able to do anything, so she decided to run for help.
She took off for the nearest camper, where two men were sitting out by the campfire, obviously unable to hear the cries for help. After telling them about the hollering man in the lake, she said one of them casually said, “Oh, yeah, that’s ole Chris. He must’ve got hung up in his trotline.” The man took off his hat, waved it in the air, and yelled, “We got cha, Bro.”
They sauntered over to their boat, and slowly made their way out to the yelling, sinking fisherman, while Karen and Mom both stood on the shore, still frantic. Eventually, the man was saved, and once again all was well at Harris-Brake Lake.
However, it is a night they will never forget. It left them feeling euphoric. Who knows what may have happened had they not gone out on the front porch to sit and watch fireflies, listen to crickets or whatever. The distressed angler all tangled up in his trotline may have never been heard. So heroes they are!
Next time you call up to The Daily Record and Mom answers, you’ll know you are talking to a true hero!
That’s my story, now here’s my recipe. Last week I traveled to Memphis to take my grandbaby home from a short stay with us. April had made this casserole and gave me some to take home. It sure hit the spot after that drive!
April’s Baked Spaghetti
8 ounces angel hair pasta
2 Tablespoons butter
24 ounces of cottage cheese
1 pound ground beef
1 jar Spaghetti sauce, any flavor
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Fry ground beef; drain, then stir in the sauce. Cook pasta, drain; stir in butter. In buttered casserole dish, layer pasta, cottage cheese, then meat sauce. Cover with foil. Bake at 375 degrees about 20 minutes. Remove from oven. Top with Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese. Return to oven and continue baking until cheeses are melted and bubbling.