Food Stuff

	Fruit & Nut Easter Eggs   In a saucepan, cook 2 1/4 cups sugar, 1 cup light corn syrup and 3/4 cup water until it reaches 265 degrees F. Add a half pound of marshmallow creme & beat it until nearly firm. Add 1/2 cup melted shortening, 2 cups of candied fruits and nuts and 1/4 cup of powdered sugar. After it is well-mixed, shape into egg shapes and dip into dipping chocolate. These will taste better after setting a while and will still be good a few months later (if they are not all eaten quickly).

	Basic Banana Bread   Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 4 inch by 8 inch loaf pan. Mix 1/3 cup melted butter with 3 or 4 mashed bananas in a large bowl. Stir in 3/4 cup white or brown sugar (your preference), a teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 beaten egg. Mix well by hand. Add 1 teaspoon baking soda and a pinch of salt. Lastly, add 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour. When it is mixed well, pour mixture into the buttered loaf pan and stick into the oven for an hour. (You can add fruits to the mix if you prefer, such things as raisins or nuts add moisture and variety to the bread.)

	Curried Chicken in Coconut Milk Fry 2 chopped onions and 3 chopped garlic cloves in 2 tablespoons oil in a large pot. Add 3 pounds of chicken chunks to the oil and heat for about 3 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons curry powder, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 bay leaf, and a teaspoon of paprika. Put in 3 cups water. Cook this mixture until the chicken is tender when tested with the tines of a fork. Add 2 small cut up tomatoes, 2 or 3 potatoes cut up and a cup or so of fresh coconut milk. (I get mine at the supermarket and have them grate a real coconut from which I squeeze the milk.) Add any other spices, vegetables and salt as you prefer. Cook until the potatoes are tender. Serve over steamed rice for a really satisfying meal.