Bird Seed Pine Cones

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         FOOD FUNNY
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Thanks to Rosemary Zwick for this one:

Two nuns were shopping in a food store and happened to be passing the
beer and liquor section. One asks the other if she would like a beer.
The other nun answered that would be good, but that she would feel
uncomfortable about purchasing it. The first nun said that she would
handle it and picked up a six pack and took it to the cashier. The
cashier had a surprised look and the first nun said, "The beer is for
washing our hair."

The cashier, without blinking an eye, reached under the counter and put
a package of pretzels in the bag with the beer. "Here you go, sister,"
she said, "don't forget the curlers."

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            TODAY'S RECIPE
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Use any bird seed mix suitable to your part of the world for these treats.

Bird Seed Pine Cones

Ribbon or string for hanging
4-6 large pine cones (about 5 inches, 12 cm long)
1 cup (250 ml) natural (no added salt or sugar) chunky peanut butter
1/2 cup (125 ml) lard, bacon drippings, or vegetable shortening
1/2 cup (125 ml) yellow cornmeal
1 1/2 cups (375 ml) commercial bird seed

Tie the ribbon to the bottom (the pointy end) of the pinecones and cut
to desired length. Heat the peanut butter and shortening in a saucepan
over low heat, stirring until well combined. Stir in the cornmeal and
cook gently for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently. Transfer the
mixture to a shallow pie plate and roll the pine cones in it, using a
spatula or spoon to get it between the petals of the pine cones. Place
the bird seed in a large bowl and roll the pine cones in it, again using
a spatula to push the seeds into the peanut butter mixture. Refrigerate
on a baking sheet until firm. These will keep frozen for several months.
Hang from a tree branch.
Received on Fri Oct 19 00:03:40 2007