MY FAVORITE RECIPES By Dee Bryson: Meet Jenny Meyer

Jenny Meyer with a few of her coffee friends, left to right in front: Pat Byers, Jenny Meyer and Gail Bilow. Anne Lowe is in back.

At Endicott Food Center, it is unlikely a new customer will walk in without meeting the person who has owned the store for the last 29 years. Unless, that is, it happens to be while Jenny is busy driving bus and delivering children to or from school, which she has faithfully done for 34 years. Jenny is known to be in the store as early as 4 a.m. to throw some cinnamon rolls together when requested, which she seems to be famous for. On a normal day Jenny can be found in the store at 5:30 a.m., preparing for the lunch rush.

Jenny has called Endicott home for the last 41 years. She is the mother to four children that have all been raised in Endicott, two of which still live there. She is also the proud grandmother to 14 grandchildren.

In between running the store, catering on the side, driving a school bus and serving on the parks and recreation board, Jenny can often be found, with her husband Larry, cheering on her seven grandchildren who live in Endicott while they participate in various activities.

In my recent visit to Endicott Food Center and my interview with Jenny, I was privy to hear a few conversations between Jenny and her customers.

One regular customer walked in and said, “Jenny, I’m having a package delivered here from UPS.” Without hesitation, Jenny just smiled, nodded and said, “Ok, sounds good!” Another customer chimed in, “Hey Jenny, when my daughter comes into town, can she come here and will you teach her how to cook your macaroni?" Again, without even a pause, Jenny smiled and agreed.

At another point of the interview, I could see the concern that Jenny had for a lady who had just walked in.

I assured her that the interview could wait and that she could go help her customer.

Jenny smiled and jumped up to go assist someone in need.

This gave me a glimpse into how important her customers are to her and also gave me an opportunity to talk to a few of her regulars that are referred to as the “Coffee Ladies.”

They said they have a routine of coming in six-days-a-week in the late mornings and often staying through lunch time. The women come in only after the “Coffee Guys” are finished up with their early morning shift. When I asked what they thought of Jenny, I heard replies like, “She is the honorary town psychologist,” and “Jenny is always a friend to those who need it.”

“If Jenny weren’t here, this town would blow away. She is a mainstay,” another commented.

In my short time writing this column, I have asked numerous people whom they would like me to interview. The name that has come up more often than any other in Whitman County is Jenny Meyer. After my brief visit, it is obvious to me why.

Recipes

These are some favorites for which customers often request the recipe. Some of her regular customers joked that while Jenny could offer up some great recipes, they might just feed an army because Jenny was used to cooking for a whole town! Jenny said she would try her best to break them down into smaller batches.

Tomato Basil Soup with Tortellini

32 oz. can of tomato soup (food service size)

1/2 gallon milk

1/2 cup butter

2 cups cheese tortellini

2 Tbsp. dried basil

Mix together and cook on stove top.

Cashew Chicken

8 ozs. frozen peas

2 cups cooked chicken

3 packages ramen noodles (use the seasoning packet for spice and crush up noodles)

8 ozs. crushed pineapple

8 ozs. pineapple tidbits, drained

Mayonnaise to your preference

Mix together and refrigerate. Top with cashews and Mandarin oranges.

Jenny’s Macaroni and Cheese

A favorite for her

Wednesday night dinners

16 oz. pkg. elbow macaroni, cooked

Make a white sauce by mixing 1 cube butter, 4-6 Tbsp. flour, 1 Qt. milk. Mix butter and flour, then add milk while cooking. Salt and pepper to taste. Add 1-lb. pkg Velveeta cheese, stir until smooth. Add two cups cheddar cheese. Mix sauce with noodles. Put into casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees F for one hour.