My favorite recipes

As the librarian at the Oakesdale Branch of the Whitman County Library, Michele Wright has watched many children grow from storytime attendees to high school seniors.

“One of the funniest things for me to see are these same kids at the high school and to know I had them in my story time when they were three and four years old,” Michele said.

Michele also works as a substitute in the school cafeteria and as a book keeper for Busch Distributors, Inc. She recently concluded years of serving on the Oakesdale Parks and Recreation Board.

Michele and her husband, Patrick, moved to Oakesdale 15 years ago to raise their two children, Nick, now 20, and Katie, 18, in a small town. Every day Patrick leaves Oakesdale at 5 a.m. to arrive on time for work in Spokane.

“We love it here, But when Katie graduates this year, we will be at a crossroad. It would be nice to move closer to Spokane so Patrick would not have to drive so much, but I would truly hate to leave Oakesdale,” she said.

Nick is now a youth pastor and music leader for his congregation. He plays the guitar and the drums. After serving a short mission in Africa this summer, Katie also wants to be a youth pastor. In the fall Katie will attend Grand Canyon University, a private Christian school in Phoenix.

Michele has spent the past six years busily engaged in Katie’s favorite pastime, horses. When Katie was 12 she wanted a horse. Michele said for Katie’s birthday that year they gave her riding lessons to see if her interest in horses would be sustained before they invested in an expensive hobby. Katie worked for two years and bought a horse without the aid of her parents. She also trained her horse and has competed for many years in Western and English showmanship and trail events.

“I spent so much time taking her to all her events, riding lessons, and out to work in the barn,” Michele said. “You never saw a happier woman than when she got her driver’s license. It was the one time I was happy to purchase a teenager a car.”

Michele and Patrick spend summers riding their Harley motorcycle to Katie’s horse events.

Michele said they are not sure what they will do with both children out of the house. However, they do have their newest dog, “the devil dog,” to keep them busy. Their 10-pound Chihuahua-Pug mix is known for his bad temper. Michele said they rarely take him out of the house.

“We have to muzzle him to take him to the vet’s,” Michele said. “We call him a ‘Chug.’ He is so cute everyone wants to pet him and that is never a good idea.”

Michele likes to cook. She likes to try new recipes, but the family favorites are still recipes used by Patrick’s mother, an excellent cook.

Michele and Patrick also like to watch “corny cooking shows.” After watching a cooking show, they purchase the ingredients for the recipes and try them out. She said sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t.

“I like making easy recipes that people think you spend a long time on because they are so good,” Michele said.

Recipes:

Kraut Burgers

2 pounds ground beef (leaner is better)

1 medium onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 to 3 beef bullion cubes

1 medium head green cabbage, diced

1 can Grands Flaky Biscuits

Monterey Jack Cheese, grated (about 1/2 pound)

Brown hamburger in large skillet. Add onions, garlic, beef bullion and a little water. Cook for about 10 minutes or until onions are tender. Transfer to a larger pot and add the entire head of diced cabbage. Add 2 to 3 cups water and turn heat down to medium-low and cook until cabbage is tender. (You can place a lid on it and just let it simmer, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t scorch.) Meanwhile, grate cheese. When cabbage has cooked, use a colander to drain the mixture and return it to the pan.

On a floured surface, roll out the biscuits one by one to about 1/8 inch thick or 6 to 7 inches in diameter. Place some cheese in the middle of a biscuit and top with about 1 cup of the cabbage mixture. Pinch edges, enclosing cheese and cabbage mixture in the biscuit. Flip over and place on greased cookie sheet. Continue until all biscuits are filled. Bake at 400 degrees or until deep golden brown. Coat tops lightly with butter or margarine and enjoy! (We like a little ketchup or mustard on them. Green chili sauce is also good!)

Polish Pudding Cake

1 can blueberry pie filling

1 can crushed pineapple

1 white or yellow cake mix

1 cup melted butter or margarine

1 cup chopped walnuts

Place blueberry filling in the bottom of a cake pan. Drain pineapple and reserve juice. Spread pineapple on top of blueberries. Pour dry cake mix on top. Mix pineapple juice with melted butter and pour over top of cake mix. Top with chopped nuts and bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown. This is a delicious and easy dessert!

World’s Easiest Cookies

2 cups peanut butter, or one small jar

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

Combine all ingredients and drop by spoonful onto cookie sheet. Press crisscross design into each cookie with sugar-coated fork. Bake at 350 degrees for about 8 minutes. These cookies bake up crisp on the outside and chewy in the middle. Absolutely delicious! Add chocolate chips or crunchy peanut butter, if desired. This recipe is easily doubled or cut in half, depending upon how many cookies you want to bake!

Very Cherry Cake

1 Cherry Chip Cake Mix

2 eggs

1 can cherry pie filling

1 can chocolate frosting

Mix together cake mix, eggs and cherry pie filling. Pour into greased and floured cake pan or jelly roll pan, depending upon how thick you want the cake. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until cake springs back when touched. Let cool completely. Frost with chocolate frosting. Cut into squares and enjoy!