MY FAVORITE RECIPES By Mary Collins: Meet Deb Olson

Deb Olson grew up in upstate New York in an old brick farm house built in 1842. It had two barns and 90 acres of woods to play in and explore.

Because of the age of the house, every time a new garden was dug there was interesting stuff in the ground. So she became hooked on history early, and she knew she wanted to be an archaeologist by the age of 12. She went to Eisenhower College in Seneca Falls, N.Y.

Mamie Eisenhower actually shook her hand at graduation in 1977.

Deb came to Pullman in the fall of 1977 to attend graduate school at Washington State University. When she landed at Pullman airport she was appalled. Where were all the trees?

“I had no idea of what I was getting into,” she said.

After her initial shock she has come to love living on the Palouse.

She earned a master’s degree in Anthropology/ Archaeology in 1983. For a number of years she worked in Cultural Resource Management through the WSU Department of Anthropology. In 1991 she became an independent archaeologist specializing in analysis of animal bone remains from archaeological sites.

Working independently with a lot of associated travel became isolating. She joined the League of Women Voters of Pullman to find some local connections. One of the roles she has taken on is to serve as the local league’s voter services chair.

The league is a non-partisan organization whose mission is to promote participation in our democracy and to help inform voters. The Pullman League’s work includes voter registration drives, civics education classes at Pullman High School and hosting voter forums. These forums are opportunities for candidates for public offices to respond to questions from citizens. The events run according to strict protocols. This year’s forums will be hosted in Pullman and Rosalia.

When not working or doing League activities, Deb likes to read, garden, work on home improvement projects and collect all kinds of things from rocks and shells to comic books. She also likes to color, something she said she started long before it became popular for adults.

Deb’s contributions to potlucks are becoming highly anticipated dishes so she is sharing the recipes here.

Recipes

Chilled Cucumber Soup

Combine in blender:

1 large cucumber

(peeled)

2 tsp of lemon rind and

2 Tbsp of lemon juice

1 garlic clove (crushed)

2 cups of yogurt (I pre-

fer Greek),

2 Tbsp chopped chives

1 Tbsp parsley

Blend until smooth. Add salt & pepper to taste. Chill for at least 1 hour. Serve chilled.

Tofu Vegetable Curry

In a Dutch oven:

Boil 1 medium head of cauliflower in florets and ½ lb green beans cut in ½ for 4 -8 minutes until tender crisp. Remove from pan and stop cooking in cold water.

In same Dutch oven, cook 3 medium carrots (sliced), 1 onion (chopped) 1 red pepper (in ¼ inch strips) in 3 Tbsp vegetable oil until soft.

Add 1-2 Tbsp of curry, 2 tsp flour, 2 tsp ginger (fresh is better), 1 tsp salt to coat vegetables and cook 1 minute.

Add vegetable broth (14 oz.), cauliflower and beans. Stir to coat.

Add 16 oz tofu (cubed) and heat through. I add additional broth to make more sauce and serve over brown rice.

Grandmother’s Filled Cookies (Christmas favorite)

For Dough: Cream 1 cup sugar with ½ cup shortening (or butter). Add ½ cup milk, 1 beaten egg, 3 ½ cups of flour and 3 tsp baking powder. Roll out to about ¼” thick and cut out 3 “rounds.

For Filling Combine 3/4 cup sugar, 1 Tbsp flour, 1 cup of boiling water, 1 cup chopped raisins or chopped dates (my preference). Cook until thick.

To assemble place approximately 1 teaspoon of filling in center of dough round and cover with another round and seal (crimp edges). Bake at 350 degree until light golden brown.