Grandma Mimi's Recipes

Johnny Marzetti

Unlike a lot of my grandmother's recipes, this one has the potential to be moderately healthy.  If you substituted turkey burger (or even tofu crumbles) for the hamburger and whole wheat pasta for the noodles, you're talkin' lowfat fibery goodness.  It's practically bursting with vegetables, and I'm sure the recipe wouldn't begrudge you the addition of corn, peas, green beans, or even something a little exotic.  Here's the Johnny Marzetti story and another version of the recipe, this one with spices!

Noodle Tuna

Tuna Helper, home style. I love this note card.  My grandparents had lots of Pennsylvania Dutch stuff that they bought when they were visiting us in Mechanicsburg, and these note cards may have been one of said items purchased.  My favorite Pennsylvania Dutch bits were these little plastic hex sign magnets that held up photos on the side of their refrigerator.

The supplier of the recipe, Ruth Gordon, was a long time friend of my grandmother's.  I think Ruth and her husband Red may have even been in their wedding party.

Noodle Doodle

Good, basic meat and noodle casserole recipe.  Pretty straightforward. And a great name.  Noodle Doodle. Tee hee!

But here's the mystery. This is what is on the other side of the Noodle Doodle recipe card:

Who is Ronald?  Are they categories, like "Shape" and Ronald"  or is it a directive: "Shape Ronald!"  And what does the cryptic "no" mean in the lower right hand corner?  It almost seems like it's a flash card, but for what? The Noodle Doodle recipe?  One thing I can tell you: if Ronald keeps eating the Noodle Doodle, he won't be in any shape at all.