This column encourages readers’ recipes and requests. Call 683-7266 or mail to 527 Philip Rd., Niles, MI 49120.

Cocoa-Cola cake

1 box white cake mix
1 c. Coca-Cola
1/2 c. buttermilk
2 eggs
1/2 c. butter, melted
1/4 c. Hershey cocoa
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 c. tiny marshmallows

Combine cake mix, eggs, cola, butter, buttermilk, cocoa and extract; beat on medium speed for two minutes.

Fold in marshmallows, the pour in greased 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees. Insert toothpick in center of cake to test for doneness.

Cool on wire rack for 15 minutes before attempting to frost.

Rummy ham

1 fully cooked ham of any size
1 1/2 c. rum
2 teaspoons whole cloves
Several unpeeled oranges
1 c. firmly packed brown sugar

Wrap ham in heavy-duty foil and place in oven heated to 350 degrees. Allow 35 minutes per pound for cooking.

Approximately one hour before ham is completely cooked, remove foil. Remove rind of ham with sharp knife, then score fat and stud ham with cloves. Firmly pack brown sugar on top. Pour off lingering fat in pan; slide unpeeled oranges into bottom of pan. Place ham on oranges and cover surface with rum. Return pan to oven and bake for one hour, basting ham a few times with liquid in pan.

Cherry pie

2 c. canned tart red cherries
3 tbsp. flour
1 c. granulated sugar
Dash alt
1 c. cherry juice
1/4 tsp. red food coloring
1/8 tsp. almond flavoring
1 tbsp. flour

Combine sugar, flour and salt in saucepan. Add cherry juice, extract and food coloring and stir well.

Gently mix cherries into mixture and allow to sit while you put together the following pastry for the crust.

Crust:
2 c. sifted flour
1 tbsp. granulated sugar
Approx. 1/3 c. ice-cold milk
1 tsp. salt
2/3 c. Crisco
1 tbsp. melted butter

Sift flour, sugar and salt in mixing bowl; add Crisco. Cut it into flour with pastry blender until mixture is in pea-sized portions.

Sprinkle milk one tablespoon at a time into a small area of flour mixture.

Toss lightly with fork after milk is added.

Continue, adding only enough milk to make pastry moist enough to form ball when patted lightly together.

Roll out half of dough with quick, light strokes, then fit in pie pan. Trim off extra pastry.

Brush crust with melted butter.

Roll out other dough ball for top of pie.

Place cherry filling into pastry-lined pan and dot with tablespoon of butter.

Bake in top rack at 450 degrees for five minutes, then place on bottom rack for 35 minutes at 375 degrees.

Food fact

In reply to the question I am frequently asked in regard to what constitutes “braising” and “pot-roasting,” when braising, very little liquid is added because natural juices provided most of the moisture. In pot-roasting, some liquid is added, but in most processes, the meat is browned first, usually in hot fat, but often even just by a quick searing in the oven or broiler.

Homemaker’s hint

When preparing hot dogs, use a double layer of foil. Place hot dogs in buns, top with zesty cheese sauce of choice and lay on reinforced layer of foil. Place on grill, uncovered, for as long as desired, then eat.