The Elk's Cookbook Sticky Buns & Bread & Butter Pickles

THE ELK’S COOKBOOK

AWESOME BREAKFAST STICKY BUNS

These are a great breakfast and the traditional Christmas morning breakfast on Walker Mtn. The leftovers (if you have any) are awesome cold or reheated! Gabi said, “These are actually a combination of two recipes. I just kind of take some of the ingredients from one, add in some from another, and create my own version. I think I could almost eat the whole pan myself.”

BREAKFAST STICKY BUNS

From the Kitchen of Gabi Strickland Walker INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

• 20 frozen hot roll dough balls • 1 - 3.5 oz box Jello Cook-n-Serve vanilla pudding mix (not instant) • 3/4 C pecan chips • 1/2 C butter

• 1/2 C light brown sugar Step 1: Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray. Step 2: Spread 1/2C pecan chips on the bottom of dish. Lay frozen roll dough balls evenly over pecans (I do 5 rows of 4 rolls). Sprinkle box of dry pudding mix over rolls Step 3: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and brown sugar together until a smooth sauce forms. Drizzle butter/brown sugar mixture all over the rolls. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4C pecans.W Step 4: Set the baking dish in a cold oven overnight (rolls will thaw and rise). The next morning, remove the baking dish of sticky buns from the oven. Step 5: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake Sticky Buns 30-35 mins until golden brown. Step 6: Lay a cookie sheet across the top of the Buns while still in the baking dish. Using pot holders, hold both the pan and cookie sheet together in each hand. Carefully flip the baking dish upside down on the cookie sheet, so the whole pan of Sticky Buns comes out on the cookie sheet. Serve from the cookie sheet...with all that ooey, gooey, yummy goodness dripping from the Buns! Enjoy and Share the YUM!

Gabi’s Note: These need to be prepared the night before you plan to bake and serve them.

BREAD & BUTTER PICKLES

We asked for canning recipes to keep coming in for us to share with our Elk River Living readers, and Merla Copen Prowse of Elkview sent us her delicious recipe for Bread and Butter Pickles. We especially love these for the holiday season because the red bell pepper slices mixed with the green cucumbers make a lovely display of red and green in a dish on your table at Christmas!

BREAD & BUTTER PICKLES

From the Kitchen of Merla Copen Prowse INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS Canning Recipe • Water Bath

Prep: 30 Min | Yields 12 Pint Jars

• 30 to 35 pickling cucumbers sliced ¼ inch thick

• ½ cup pickling or kosher salt • 1 Large yellow onion diced • 1 large Green Bell Pepper • 1 Large Red Bell Pepper • 7 cups White Vinegar • 6 cups granulated Sugar • ½ teaspoon ground Cloves • 1 Tablespoon Mustard Seed • 2 Teaspoons Celery Seed • 1 ½ teaspoons turmeric Step 1: In a big bowl or pot combine the sliced cucumbers, salt, onion and bell peppers. Stir so the salt is evenly distributed. Cover the cucumber mixture with a clean kitchen towel or tea towel, and place a few inches of ice on top of the towel. Let sit for 3 hours. Step 2: Drain the cucumber mixture and set aside. Make the brine by bringing the vinegar, sugar, cloves, mustard seed, celery seed, and turmeric to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Meanwhile, prepare a boiling water canner. Heat the jars and lids in simmering water until ready to use. Do not boil. Set bands aside. Step 3: Place equal amounts of cucumbers, onions, and bell peppers into each hot jar. Press down the mixture, as it will rise when you pour In the brine. Step 4: Use a funnel or ladle to pour hot pickling liquid over top of the cucumbers, leaving a ½ inch headspace. Remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims with a clean, damp paper towel. Center the lids on the jars and tighten the bands until it fits fingertip tight. Step 5: Process jars in the boiling water canner for about 30 minutes. Remove the jars and allow to cool completely on the counter for 24 hrs. Check the lids to make sure they are sealed.

Merla's Note: For best flavor, let pickles sit for 3-4 weeks. Store jars in a cool, dry place for up to a year. If a jar doesn’t seal. store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. ELK RIVER LIVING .COM 13

AROUN D THE ELK

December favorites so mark your calendars now

TYREE’S MAGICAL LIGHT EXHIBIT

One of ERL’s favorite activities is to drive through the Christmas light exhibit hosted by Kermit and Joann Tyree on Aaron’s Fork. There are more than 20 acres of twinkling, blinking, and flashing lights accenting the Christmas blow-up displays, nativity scenes and, of course, jolly old St. Nick with his sleigh and reindeer. It is a wonderful ohhh and ahhhh experience that you won’t want to miss, and you will want to go back year after year. “You will know when you come to our property,” said Kermit. “It is located on Aaron’s Fork approximately 6.5 miles from the bridge at the Aaron’s Fork split. Our light display starts with a 2-3 miles of lighted fence and a 150-foot decorated barn and 9-car garage.” Many of the neighbors have their homes decorated along Aarons Fork as well as you travel toward the Tyree Christmas light exhibit. It is a gorgeous winter wonderland. There is no admission so it’s a perfect evening to take a drive with the whole family, including grandparents and grandkids. Joanne and Kermit said, “Sharing the joy of Christmas with our community is the only payment we need.” Visitors can drive by every evening after 5 PM starting after Thanksgiving.

COONSKIN’S ANNUAL HOLIDAY LIGHTS & KVRA’S MODEL RAILROAD EXHIBIT

Another community favorite is Coonskin Park’s Annual Holiday Light Show. Don’t forget about the amazing Kanawha Valley Railroad Association’s (KVRA) model train exhibit at the end of the Park after you drive through and enjoy the lights. KVRA will be celebrating their 45th year of serving our community and opening its doors once again during the Coonskin Light Show for holiday visitors. The KVRA’s primary layout is a 30’ x 50’ HO Scale constructed in 1998 and operates using NCE digital command control. It features various modeled renditions of WV, including Charleston, Elkview, Thurmond, and Hawk’s Nest, as well as coal facilities, coal camps, logging facilities, rock climbers, whitewater rafters, and a pulp mill, which represents the culture of WV. They also have a smaller 4’ x 12’ N Scale layout with model trains traveling through the West Virginia mountains and a 15’ x 20’ modular layout that they take to local area train shows.

The train exhibit is open throughout the year every Sunday from 1 PM to 4 PM (weather/staff permitting), and during the Coonskin Light Show they are open extended hours during the week and weekend. Fridays: Dec. 2, 9 & 16, from 6 PM to 9 PM; Saturdays: Dec. 3, 10, & 17 from 3 PM to 9 PM; and Sundays: Dec. 4, 11, & 18 from 1 PM to 6 PM. More information can also be found on kvrailroad.org.

BILL ALLEN MEMORIAL PINCH CHRISTMAS PARADE

Everyone is welcome to participate or just come and join the fun! It’s the annual Bill Allen Memorial Pinch Christmas Parade which will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2022, starting at 7 PM. Line up starts at 5:30 PM and Pinch Elementary and the New Beginnings Church. Special Guest will be… you guessed it…Santa Claus!!! For more information, contact Teri Beasley at 304.389.9992.

TOWN OF CLENDENIN CHRISTMAS PARADE

Mayor Kay Summers and the Clendenin Town Council invite everyone to their annual Christmas parade on Saturday, December 10, 2022, starting at 6 PM. Bring the family and enjoy a wonderful evening of holiday festivities. Line up begins at 5 PM in the north end of Clendenin at the former Clendenin Elementary School site. Prizes will be awarded. For more information, contact the Clendenin Town Hall at 304.548.4192.

Mayor Kay Summers said, “Our local churches will be performing on the new O. M. Harper Stage on Main Street. Also, the HHHS Marching Huskies will be having a pancake and waffle breakfast fundraiser at the Clendenin Community Center from 9 AM to 11 AM. There will be crafts and photos with Santa for the kids and a silent auction. Check the Clendenin Town Facebook for more details.