I live on a rocky Ozark ridge, far from town without a single neighbor in sight. Most of the time my family enjoys my old-fashioned home cooking with recipes handed down by my mother, both grandmothers, and a few aunts. I cook from scratch, using basic ingredients to turn out Southern fried chicken from my iron skillet, soups and stews in the winter, and other dishes that come from my kitchen.

Sometimes, however, we long for a little taste of the outside world and if I’m not willing to load everyone into the pickup truck for a long ride to town, I’ve found a few recipes that duplicate well-known treats.

For those like me who may occasionally yearn for something not easily available, I’ll share the recipes to four of our favorites: Cool Whip, Dairy Queen Ice Cream, Snapple Ice Tea, and Original Recipe Kentucky Fried Chicken.

The Recipes

Cool Whip

Our family usually prefers the real thing – heavy cream whipped into sweet perfection – but this is nice if cream isn’t available or for those watching waistlines!

1 teaspoon gelatin

2 teaspoons cool water

3 tablespoons boiling water

½ cup ice water

½ cup non-fat dry milk

3 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoons oil

Soften the gelatin with water, then add the boiling water. Stir until the gelatin is dissolved. Combine ice water and dry milk in a separate, chilled bowl. Beat until mixture will hold stiff peaks, then while still beating add sugar, oil, and gelatin mixture. Beat until blended then store in the freezer for 15 minutes. Store in the refrigerator for use. Stir before using.

Yields 2 cups.

Dairy Queen Ice Cream

For those who like the light, airy taste of DQ ice cream as opposed to the heavier richness of most homemade ice creams, this recipe works and tastes like the original.

2 envelopes Knox gelatin

½ cup cold water

4 cups whole milk

2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

½ teaspoon salt

3 cups cream

Soak gelatin in water until gelatin dissolves. Heat milk but do not boil. Remove milk from heat then add gelatin, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Cool mixture then add cream. Chill for 5-6 hours then pour into a 4-6 quart ice cream freezer. Prepare as normal.

Snapple Ice Tea

Snapple fans may find it hard to believe it’s this simple to get the taste but it is:

2 quarts water

3 Lipton orange pekoe/black pekoe teabags

¾ cup sugar

1/3 cup plus 2 teaspoons lemon juice

Add 1 teaspoons strawberry extract for strawberry ice tea, 2 teaspoons Ocean Spray cranberry cocktail for cranberry, or 1/8 teaspoon orange extract for orange ice tea.

Boil water. Turn off when it begins to rapid boil. Add tea bags and cover. Steep for one hour. Remove tea bags and pour into a 2-quart pitcher. Add sugar, then flavoring. Add water if necessary so contents reach the 2-quart line. Chill and serve.

Kentucky Fried Chicken

Colonel Sanders – the real guy – made a fortune with this recipe, basically his version of Southern fried chicken. Although I prefer my own most of the time, the family likes his once in a while and if you have guests, you can impress them by producing KFC miles from the nearest restaurant.

½ cup salt

1 teaspoon sage

2 tablespoons meat tenderizer

1 teaspoon curry powder

6 cups white flour

¼ cup black pepper

¼ cup MSG

½ teaspoon dry mustard

½ teaspoon ground cloves

½ teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion salt

Dip chicken pieces (your own birds or store bought) into an egg/milk mix. Allow one egg per each ¼ cup of milk. Roll wet pieces in dry coating. Place on a wire rack and let coating dry. Fry pieces in vegetable oil until brown. Put browned pieces onto a baking sheet in a 300-degree oven for one hour or until done.

Now It's Your Turn In The Kitchen

Enjoy these recipes the next time you feel a craving for something from the world at large! These simple steps can turn out delicious, ready to eat foods just like the originals.