Cock Of The Walk Pickled Onion Rings

There was a restaurant in Mobile called the Cock of the Walk.  It had some of the best skillet cornbread and pickled onion rings.  They closed down several years ago and I've missed them.  I took to craving the pickled onions and decided I'd check the Internet for a recipe and, lo and behold, there I found it.  I made them this weekend and they're delicious.

2 cups cider vinegar

4 teaspoons of salt

1/2 cup of sugar

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

4 cups of sliced sweet onions

Combine all except onions in a large saucepan.  Bring to a boil.  Drop in onion slices and turn off heat.  Let cool and then refrigerate.

Fresh Tomato Tart

I love summer tomatoes, fresh tomato sandwiches, and fresh tomato tarts.  I bought two tomato plants this year and have gotten several tomatoes from them.  I love this recipe.  it comes from the Junior League of Jackson, Mississippi's cookbook.

Basic pastry dough

8 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil

4-5 ripe tomatoes, cut into slices

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Line 10" tart pan with pastry dough (or use pie shells).  Spread bottom of pastry with cheese and sprinkle with basil (may use dried).  Cover with tomato slices, arranging to cover as evenly as possible.  Sprinkle tomatoes with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil.  Bake for 30-40 minutes.  Garnish with fresh chopped basil.  Slice in wedges and serve at room temperature.

Apple Cake

This was one of my father's favorite cakes.  I entered it in the Greater Gulf State Fair several years ago and it won a blue ribbon.  It's easy to make and goes great with coffee.

Sift together:  3 cups of flour

2 cups of sugar

1 teaspoon of soda

1 teaspoon of salt

Mix with dry ingredients:  3 cups fresh chopped apples

1 cup broken pecan pieces

Combine in bowl:  3 eggs, slightly beaten

1 cup Wesson oil

2 teaspoons vanilla

Add egg mixture to dry mixture and apple mixture.  Mix well by hand.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1-1/2 hours in ungreased tube pan.