Recipes by Sandy Duncan: Depression Stew; Salad Californian

Sandy Duncan's Depression Stew

3 tbsps. butter (or margarine )
1 cup thinly sliced onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
2 cups shelled fresh peas
2 cups diced raw carrots
2 cups diced turnips (or potatoes )
1 bay leaf
1 can (28 ozs.) tomatoes
1 1/2 cups water (or canned beef broth)
1 tbsp. salt
1/2 tsp. chili powder (or freshly ground black pepper to taste)
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
6 ozs. medium egg noodles (about 3 cups)

Melt butter over low heat in a heavy skillet (or Dutch oven). Add onions and celery; saute 5 minutes. Add ground beef, stirring occasionally, until meat is browned. Add remaining ingredients except noodles; mix thoroughly. Cover and cook over low heat 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add noodles and cook 15 minutes longer (or until noodles are tender). Taste to correct seasonings. Serves 4-6.

Thoughts: If desired, other vegetables may be added: corn, cauliflower, snap beans, and-or lima beans. Also, it's a great resting place for leftovers, any leftovers. Herbs, fresh or dried, can be added to stew as desired: oregano. basil, thyme, marjoram or tarragon.

Sandy Duncan's Salad Californian

1 large head of lettuce, torn
Mixed greens: romaine, chicory, escarole, endive or watercress
1 cup garbanzo beans (canned)
1 can artichoke hearts in oil, drained
2 celery hearts, chopped
1 small ripe avocado
1/2 lemon
2 medium-size tomatoes
1 cup whole large pimento-stuffed olives
2 tsps. capers
2 hard-cooked eggs, quartered
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup wine vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsps. finely chopped parsley

Combine lettuce, mixed greens, beans, artichoke hearts and celery hearts in large salad bowl. Cut avocado in bite-size pieces, squeeze with a little lemon juice to prevent avocado from turning brown. Add to salad bowl with tomatoes, olives, capers and hard-cooked eggs. Mix lightly. Combine olive oil, vinegar. salt, pepper and parsley; blend (or shake well). Pour over salad and toss lightly but thoroughly. Serve with Depression Stew and garlic bread, with well-chilled white (or rose) wine. Serves 6.

Thoughts: Sandy's salad can double as antipasto or main supper dish. For heartier additions, add salami, julienne strips of ham, hunks of cheese or a small can Italian tuna fish (well-drained). Arrange as an antipasto on large glass or earthenware platter. If desired, garbanzo beans can be marinated in garlic-flavored dressing (add small clove of garlic to dressing as given); marinate several hours before assembling antipasto and-or salad.