Learn from Linde: Adding Fun to Your Family Recipes!

To complete our Recipe 101 series, I thought we should give you an example of fun, clear recipe writing. We see a lot of great family recipes at Secret Ingredients, and our team laughed and smiled their way through family recipes from Linde of Reno, Nevada.

We asked the fabulous, brilliant Linde for permission to share some of her recipes on her blog... and thankfully she agreed- yay!

Linde's Mother-In-Law Green Bean Casserole

Ingredients:
1 pound fresh green beans (if you’re in Iowa, feel free to use canned or frozen)
2 cans cream of mushroom soup (if you’re in Arizona, use the reduced fat kind, due to more
opportunities for bathing suit wearing)
½ cup milk
Salt and pepper to taste French fried onions (the ones in the can, baby!)

Directions:
Steam green beans until soft (if you don’t steam them long enough, your green bean casserole purists will spit them out). Combine soup, milk, salt, and pepper. Put beans into a baking dish, and cover with soup mixture. Bake at 375˚ for 20 minutes. Cover with onions, and return to oven to brown.

Note:
This is a bona-fide recipe from the heartland, straight from the mother-in-law’s kitchen. My mother-in-law is a champion in the casserole department (girlfriend can turn any 5 ingredients into a one-dish meal), and this is my husband's favorite. If you’re looking for a traditional holiday side that will stick to your ribs and get you through a long winter, this one will definitely serve the purpose.

Linde's Feel Good Truffles

Ingredients:
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup whipping cream
2 teaspoons rum extract
½ cup powdered sugar
⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa

Directions:
In a heavy saucepan on low heat, melt chocolate chips in the whipping cream. Add rum extract and whisk until blended. Pour this mixture into a pie pan and refrigerate for about an hour until the consistency is like soft fudge. Sift the powdered sugar and cocoa together into a shallow bowl. Shape the fudge into balls using 1 tablespoon of mixture per ball. Roll the truffles in the cocoa and sugar mixture, and keep chilled until ready to serve.

Note:
This recipe is all about mood. Studies have shown that chocolate affects brain chemistry to invoke good feelings. Bonus. If you or a loved one are feeling a little down, whip out a batch of these babies, and you will have cooked up your very own, home-grown antidepressants. After eating a few of these truffles, you’ll find yourself wandering around your neighborhood, a beatific smile on your face, complimenting everyone you see. Side effects of taking truffles are limited, but can include a larger-than-usual rear end, pimples, and chocolate stains on your favorite top.
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Isn't she a hoot?! Isn't it amazing how much of your personality can shine through your family recipes? We hope that Linde has inspired you to have fun and enjoy your Secret Ingredients online cookbook project.

Want to see more of Linde's recipes? Be sure to check out The Stock Pot, our recipe database. Linde has kindly added her recipes to our collection. If you are not a member of Secret Ingredients, be sure to sign up for your Free Trial Account.

A Special Thanks to Linde... Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipes and delightful personality with the Secret Ingredients community!