The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book, was first published in September 1988 by my Father Mel Ellis, from recipes that literally were in the cupboard drawer that had been collected over the years by my Mom, Dorothy Ellis. They represent tried and true family style cooking. The copyrights to this were recently given to me by my mom who is now 86 and by choice living in an assisted living home in Aurora, Illinois. Below is the original forward written in 1988 by my Dad…
Foreward
Historically, all good recipes have been created in the kitchen by trial and error; and emerge as palatable dishes which please the author’s taste and senses. Over periods of time, alternatives occur which please the fancy and tastes desires of other cooks and are recorded in some form some where.
My wife, Dorothy, over a period of some forty years, has collected recipes which were pleasing to her tastes. They come from many sources such as friends, family, or wherever she sees a recipe that she could modify and save. They are all good quality and provide the most succulent edibles.
Dorothy’s collection has come written in many forms, such as clippings, typed or handwritten notes that appear on every imaginable kind of paper; although we have not found any written on paper towels.(We’re still looking though).
The various sizes and shapes of the notes have caused a filing problem. Hence the bundle is stored away in a cupboard drawer, dresser drawer, desk drawer, boxes under the bed, or any easy out of place site for when company comes to visit. For this reason, “The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book” has been compiled to provide a standardized and easy to follow format. This may be kept in a notebook or as published in a spiral bound book. A Categorical Index is provided for ease in locating recipes when desired.
Dorothy’s collection has provided many delectable treats for both family and friends. Credits are shown for the authors who are known; other wise they have been lost to history and we are unable to credit them.
Please Note that calorie counts have not been included. You must judge that while you ENJOY!
Mel Ellis
September 1988
2009 Update
In the twenty one years since it was published this book of recipes has earned it’s place on the kitchen shelf hundreds of time over, used both by Zena, my Warrior Princess, and me; even more so since she passed away. I will be updating some of the recipes since many of the originals were written before microwaves, and many of the advances in modern cookware and techniques. Some ingredients are harder, if not impossible to find, but were commonplace when the recipe was written. So look for some of my update notes.
One other significant note here. This is a recipe book, not a cookbook. There are no special techniques here, no procedures to be taught, if you need that there are many on the market and I commend them to you. This is a recipe book for the person that knows their way around the family kitchen and wants good solid stick to your ribs food. I continue the tradition of doing no calorie counting here as it goes against the grain, but on the exceptionally rich recipes I will warn you it’s not for those who have to count them.
I will be including also some of my Dad’s recipes (he was a good cook also) and some of my own and Zena’s to the legacy; and thus I advise you in the Spirit of the Ellis Family, DO ENJOY!
Copyright 2009 Richmond Hill, Ga All rights reserved
Also I am not a paid spokesman for any products advertised on the published pages.
Breads and Biscuits
- Old Fashioned Banana-Oat Muffin | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
Funny how the more we learn about nutrition the smarter our Moms and Grandmas become. They constantly taught us to eat your ruff age, and fiber. This Cupboard Drawer favorite was passed down through... - Pumpkin - Cider Bread Recipe
Here is another sweet bread recipe from The Cupboard Drawer; this Pumpkin-Cider bread is another Thanksgiving Day favorite and a unique blend of fall flavors. It does take a bit time to put together... - A Bing Cherry Muffin Recipe
A Muffin recipe that folds in the great taste of fresh cherries; and offers a simple plan when using canned fruit in muffins to ensure they are 'crisp' as can be... - A recipe for The Bishop's Bread
Here is a sweet bread recipe from The Cupboard Drawer, I do not know the story behind the Bishops title but it is heavenly with a nice cuppa Tea whether it be a green or black tea. I was routinely... - How to make Ice Box Biscuits
An Old School Biscuit recipe. Yeast Based, that comes from the time of Ice Boxes in the home. Great weekday time saver if you do the initial prep on the weekend....
Main Dishes & Casseroles
- Ratatouille Hash | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
Here is a beef hash from The Cupboard Drawer. Variations can be tastily done with ground Pork, Chicken, Turkey, even Spam. Serve it with Hash Browns, or Tater Tots, for a good ol Fry Up.... - Hamburger Parmesan | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
Here is a family favorite way to give a special taste to hamburgers. Its a great variety play on prepping this American staple, and the use of Ground Chuck adds succulence in a cost effective way. Serve it... - Spinach Casserole | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
This is a versatile Spinach Casserole recipe pulled from The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book. The base recipe is a fundamental one that works for any leafy vegetable like collard greens or cabbage so the... - A Mushroom - Walnut Sole Fillet Recipe
Here is one for my fish loving friends, which blends the flavors and textures of fish, walnuts and mushrooms into stimulating your palate in a sumptuous sort of way. This one is also from The Cupboard... - How to Make Sweet Potato-Apricot Casserole
Here is a Holiday Favorite from The Cupboard Drawer, the sweet potato is one of Gods great wonders as all essential nutrients can be found in this delectable root. In the Yam form it serves as a dietary... - Chicken Mozzarella Recipe
This is a Chicken Mozzarella recipe that ia a simplified recipe that when presented looks like a lot more work than it was. One of the big benefits of The Cupboard Drawer Recipes is just that. My Mom,... - A Green Pepper Meat Loaf Recipe
Here is a great meatloaf variation straight from The Cupboard Drawer. It hides a different texture to the dish that becomes evident at the point of consumption (your mouth) in a pleasing sort of way.... - Ruben Cassarole Recipe
Here is a Corned Beef and Sauerkraut combination that is particularly good on a cool fall evening. The tanginess of the Kraut with a well spiced corned beef is a belly warmer of the first degree. This one... - Holiday Cranberry - Pork Roast Recipe | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
This Pork Roast Recipe provides an alternative to the traditional Ham that many serve along side their turkey on Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays. This is one from The Cupboard Drawer and is a tried... - Pork Chop Alsation Recipe
Here is a favorite of mine for Pork Chops, its another recipe from The Cupboard Drawer. The treatment of the chops also helps tenderize them so this is particularly good on the thicker cut chops. You...
- Stuffed Dover Sole | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
For a seafood lover, a true Dover Sole is the stuff of ambrosia. It comes from only one place in the world and that is in the cold waters of the North Sea and English Channel. So here in the states you will... - Halibut with Curried Vegetables | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
Friday is fish day in many households. While the genesis of this may have been the Catholic Church; it has been adopted by many protestant households as well. In the Mid- West when I was growing up, many of... - Pork Back Ribs with Apple - Orange Sauce | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
Down here in the South of the US we kind of get complacent about our Ribs; we can pretty much BBQ anytime we want, as the weather really never gets prohibitive for a long period of time; cant do it this... - Coney Burger and Dill Dip | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
Coney Island is an Icon of American Amusement Park Entertainment. In its heyday during the postwar 40s and 50s well over a million visitors a year went to the park, beach, and boardwalk to enjoy... - Ham Balls in Brown Sauce | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
Looking for a recipe for the Holiday leftovers? The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book is full of them and here is one given to Dorothy by her friend Helen McGettrick for the leftover Ham you might have... - Easy Hungarian Cubed Steaks | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
My Good Friend Doris and Me Hungarian Cubed Steaks were a favorite at my house when I was growing up. This had the added benefit of taking less than 40 mins from start to finish, so it comes in handy in a...
Desserts
- Molasses Butterball Cookies | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
These cookies were sent to me year after year when I was a soldier by my mom, Dorothy. I never tired of them, The molasses and walnuts just reach out and say home, while it was tradition to share your goodies... - Cranberry Orange Cream Topping Recipe
Here is a Cream Topping for the Cranberry lovers out there. The Cupboard Drawer in keeping with its recent tradition delivers another treat that can even add calories to cranberries and oranges. This... - How to make Coffee Cream Delight
Here is a recipe from my Mom, Dorothys book The Cupboard Drawer as a coffee lover myself, this one hits a special spot. Now having said that I should give you full disclosure, Im not a latte or... - Seven Layer Choconaught Cookies
I call these Choconaughts because once you cut them into squares they look like space food that might have gone on the Gemini or Apollo Missions. Full of coconut, chocolate and butterscotch chips a rich treat.... - An Easy Holiday Chocolate Fudge Recipe
The coming Holidays generate more and more things to do so time becomes a precious commodity. Here is a Fudge Recipe from The Cupboard Drawer that can be done in less than 30 mins and lets you put some... - How to make a Lime-Chocolate Pie
Here is a Lime Chocolate Pie recipe that is a real sweetie from crust to topping. As you read the ingredients you will feel the sweet waves of delight rush through your body, generating undulating waves of anticipation of... - How to Make Fast Action Pumpkin Pie
A Fast Action but Old Fashion Pumpkin Pie recipe, Great for time saving, but delivering wholesome good food... - How to Make Soldier Cookies
Here is a cookie recipe from my Warror Princess that may bring a smile to your soldier, sailor, airman or marine - Easy Holiday Shortbread Cookies
An easy Holiday Shortbread Cookie Recipe, makes approx 24-36 cookies, a fun food project for kids age 6-adult... - Woe is me! Ice Cream and Candy Pie Recipe
Here is another great dessert recipe from The Cupboard Drawer, The Ice Cream variations are limited only by your imagination and product availability. For the gals out there that like to wash their... - How To Make Chocolate Meringue Cookies
Good Day! As always, I hope this finds each of you and all of you in good health and cheer. Here is another bit of sweetness from The Cupboard Drawer; this provided by a dear friend of my Mom,... - A Creme Sandwich Cookie Cake Recipe
This Ice Cream and Cookie Recipe is another one from The Cupboard Drawer, it comes from my Aunt Kathleen in Erie Illinois, which is to say small town (My Granddads Farm was on the edge of town when I... - Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars Recipe
Here is a Cheesecake recipe that combines the smooth sweetness of cream cheese with the unique flavor of pumpkin. This one is from The Cupboard Drawer and has its genesis in the great depression...
- Spritzgebac or Cookie Press Cookies | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
Spritzgeback or as we Americans call them Spritz Cookies have their origin in Germany. This Recipe is an update to the original Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book, though I cant imagine why it was left out of the... - Christmas Cookie Favorites Prt 1 | Orange Chocolate Balls | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
Ive said it before but Simple is sometimes best. This Christmas Cookie recipe is a tried and true favorite and not very hard to do. It has the added benefit of very little cooking (you have to melt the... - Christmas Cookie Favorites Prt 2 | Coconut Snowflake Bars | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
These easy to make snowflake bars are a real joy to have around at Christmas time. I caution you though they do not last long on the plates, so you might want to double or triple up on this one. This one... - Easy Chocolate Fudge Recipe | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
This recipe is for my good friend, Lynnechandler a fellow hubber and a Georgia Peach that is a member of the Hub Tribe on the Forums. The other night I offered up some virtual fudge to the ladies there and it... - Chocolate Carmel Nut Cheese Pie | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
My Hubber friend Habee asked me about a recipe for this and sure enough I checked the Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book and wha la! This recipe comes with a bonus alternative as a lemon topping is easy to do as... - Church Window Cookies | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
Church Windows Cookies are a pretty nifty way to celebrate the great wonders of stained glass found in houses of worship, and public buildings around the world. For me, there has always been a certain... - Snow-White Cherry-Nut Fudge | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
This is another Christmas and Holiday favorite from The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book; choc full of cherries and nuts, the white base is a great contrast to all the chocolate on the candy plates. For a real...
Breakfast Meals Anytime
- Sour Cream Oven Doughnuts | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
If you like the sweet cake style baked doughnuts, this recipe is for you. The sour cream gives it an adult sophistication coupled with the child like joy of a sweet treat. It goes best with a good old cup... - How to make an Egg Casserole
This is another one of those egg recipes that stretches the dollar, and in these trying times may be useful. All the elements of good nutrition are here from carbs to proteins, plus the good taste to get them... - How to Make The Welcome Home Warrior Omlette
a hearty Omelet, not of rthe faint of heart. A tried and true recipe to welcome home your troop from the war...
Sandwich
- Coney Burger and Dill Dip | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
Coney Island is an Icon of American Amusement Park Entertainment. In its heyday during the postwar 40s and 50s well over a million visitors a year went to the park, beach, and boardwalk to enjoy... - Super Sunday Stromboli | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
NFL Logo Well the Football Season is in high gear with the College Football Grudge Match weekend, and with Bowl Games, NFL Crunch Time Games plus the NFL Playoffs looming, here is a hot sandwich from the... - Hot Lunch Sausage in the Cradle Adults Only
This lunch is best prepared as a teamwork event in a monogamous relationship. Children should not be in the house; so when they are young, do so while they are at school, or wait till theyre grown and... - How to make The Slammer Jammer Sausage Sam'mich
There is a plethora of healthy recipes all over the internet, but very few about food that is fun, which celebrates the good taste, a bit OFat, or sugar adds to life. While I will be presenting many of the... - How to Make a Salmon Sandwich Spread
Here is a great Salmon Spread recipe from The Cupboard Drawer. Folks who know me know Im not a big fish lover or sandwich spread lover in general, (give me Salami and Cheese please), but I know many,...
Beverages, Soups, and Dips
- Christmas Glogg Nog | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
Well Christmas is nearly upon us again, and in the never ending search for something traditional but a bit unusual I have pulled one of the best Nogg recipes from The Cupboard Drawer. You can do some... - Sausage Lentil Soup | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
Here is another fall favorite from The Cupboard Drawer. Lentils provide a high protein, high fiber base for this soup. Its a Croc pot recipe so you can do it in the morning before work and itll be ready... - French Cabbage Soup | The Cupboard Recipe Book
This hearty French Soup recipe was given to my mom by her grandmother, Dorothy Possley, who we fondly called Bono. I cant honestly say where or what originated the Bono name, and in fact I didnt even... - Coney Burger and Dill Dip | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
Coney Island is an Icon of American Amusement Park Entertainment. In its heyday during the postwar 40s and 50s well over a million visitors a year went to the park, beach, and boardwalk to enjoy... - Happy New Year Champagne Punch | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
With the New Year Parties right around the corner; here is an easy New Years Punch recipe from The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book, which has a special twist for your party friends with a sweet tooth, and is... - Scandinavian Salmon Soup | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
Chinook pic Salmonnation.com Sockeye ctsy salmonnation.com Salmon is enjoyed world wide in a variety of ways. Here is a recipe from The Cupboard Drawer for a Salmon Soup that with just a... - Christmas Chocolate Eggnog Recipe
Here is an easy Chocolate flavored Eggnog recipe from The Cupboard Drawer. For the Chocoholics out there, this gives the eggnog a real smooth taste; and of course you can spice (or spike depends... - How to Make an Apple-Apricot-Lime Cooler
Fall is when the harvest comes in, especially the Apple Harvest. The smell of hot apple cider is like a welcoming hug when you come in out of the cool air. But what about midday when it might still be a bit... - Halloween Witches Brew
ITs that time again folks, Here is a recipe and incantations for witches and warlocks to make their brew and weave their webs... - How to Make Salmon Corn Chowder
As fall settles in, and the days start to shorten up and the temps drop, especially in the early evening, few aromas match the wafting smells of fresh chowder on the stove. Here is a special chowder variation... - A twofer of bean soup recipies
Here are a couple of tried and true bean soups that hit the spot on a cold fall day. I grew up in the Chicago area and Indian Summer is rapidly approaching, with it the turning of the leaves and soon the... - How to Make Avocado Bacon Dip
Here is another recipe from The Cupboard Drawer. With Football season and Baseball Playoffs well under way, This Avocado recipe is a great way to serve a Changeup for your sports fans from...
Kitchen Tools and Gadgets
- Hamilton Beach Soft Scrape(TM) Mixer Product Review | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book
Hamilton Beach Soft Scrape(TM) Mixer Once in a while something Old is New again. This is the case with the Hamilton Beach Soft Scrape electric hand held mixer. The six speed mixer is distinguished by its Soft...
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