Celebrating #NationalFoodMonth with “Out of Sight Recipes”

02 April 2019

In 1994, students, faculty, and staff provided hundreds of easy recipes for the “busy, on-the-go student,” which can be found in the Pennsylvania College of Optometry’s “Out of Sight Recipes” cookbook. All proceeds from cookbook sales went directly to the Administrative and Professional Staff Endowed Scholarship fund, which is awarded annually to a second, third or fourth year Optometry student based on merit.

Some of the recipes were treasured family keepsakes and some were new; however they all reflected the love of good cooking. Celebrate #NationalFoodMonth with us by trying some of the recipes below from our community.

Crockpot Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

3 large chicken legs
3 carrots (whole, not peeled)
3 celery stalks (ends OK)
1 small yellow onion
2 Tbsp. basil (fresh or dried)
1 whole bay leaf
1 Tbsp. peppercorns
2 tsp. salt
2 cups chopped carrots
2 cups chopped celery
2 cups egg noodles or pasta of choice

Directions: In a medium to large crockpot, put chicken legs, basil, celery stalks, whole carrots, onions, and peppercorns. Fill to top of pot with water and cook on high all day (8 hours). Remove all ingredients and set aside chicken. Dispose of celery stalks and carrots. In pot of broth, put chopped celery and carrots, along with chicken pieces removed from bones. Put egg noodles in last and salt to taste. Cook additional hour and serve.

- Glenn R. Roedel, client services director, Technology and Library Services

When asked if he still cooks up this cozy recipe Glenn said, “How cool! I still make it, but just slightly modified it.”

Bronco (Pea) Salad

Ingredients:
3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 large celery stalk, chopped
6 slices bacon, crisp and crumbled
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 package cooked peas, drained
½ cup mayonnaise

Directions: Combine all of the above and toss with mayonnaise.

- Lisa Lonie, executive assistant, Office of the President

When asked if she still enjoys prepping this quick side dish, Lisa said, “Geez, I just made this last week!” She also reflected on her fond memories of putting the cookbook together, “The recipe book, made so many years ago, was used as a fundraiser. We had a great time putting it together. Even today, I think of Pat Weiss (former assistant, Office of Finance) when I make her Jewish Apple Cake. That’s what makes the book a nice walk down memory lane.”

Spicy Sesame Noodles

Ingredients:
1 lb. spaghetti
1 tsp. Sesame oil
¼ cup creamy peanut butter
¼ cup soy sauce
2 Tbsp. wine vinegar
1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger
¼ tsp. Crushed red pepper flakes
1 sweet red pepper, cut into slivers
4 scallions, cut into two-inch pieces

Directions: Cook spaghetti and drain. Toss with sesame oil and set aside. In bowl, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, wine vinegar, ginger and red pepper flakes. Toss with noodles. Gently toss in red pepper and scallions. Makes four servings.

- Jeanne Zearfoss, former coordinator of development support services, Office of Institutional Advancement

We caught up with Jeanne who is still cooking up this recipe down in the “Sunshine State” where she retired to a few years ago. “Yes, I still make this recipe. It’s one of my favorites! A friend of mine shared it with me years ago, and I make it about once a month. Sometimes I even add grilled chicken.”

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
¼ lb. margarine
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
2 cup flour
1 ½ tsp. Baking powder
1 tsp. Baking soda
1 tsp. Vanilla

Topping:
½ cup walnuts
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
¼ cup sugar

Directions: Cream margarine and sugar. Add eggs, sour cream, baking soda and vanilla. Sift flour and baking powder. Combine mixtures. Combine nuts, cinnamon and sugar. In a greased pan place ½ of the cake mixture. Place ½ of the nut mixture evenly on top. Place the rest of the cake mixture in the pan and spread the remaining nut mixture on top. Cook 40 minutes at 350 degrees.

When asked, Don Kates, chief financial officer, was unsure how his recipe ended up in the cookbook, “I am not sure I’ve baked anything since Junior High!”

Although it’s been a while, he now plans on brushing up on his baking skills in the next few weeks and trying out this recipe.

If you test out any of these recipes, we’d love to hear from you. Make sure to tag us on social media, #SalusPCO100.

Celebrating #NationalFoodMonth with “Out of Sight Recipes”

Related Posts

The Official Charter of PSCO

Flashback Friday: Going Home for Christmas, Circa 1985

100 Stories: Maria Pribis, OD '09, FAAO

Barry Farkas: Always on the Cutting Edge of Contact Lens Technology

Categories