Interesting things I found along the way-you never know.

Saturday, March 13, 2021

Recipe for St Patrick's Day Barmbrack

 

My Italian mother made this bread every St Patrick's Day for my
Scotch/Irish father. It was delicious then and now. It takes some time to make but it is delicious



Barmbrack

Irish-American Soda Bread with Currants and Orange Zest

 

1 lb (3 cups) all-purpose flour, plus 1 tbsp

5 oz (1 cup) whole wheat flour

1/3 cup sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp kosher salt

6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, diced

2 cups cold buttermilk, shaken

1 large egg, lightly beaten

Finely grated zest of 1 med orange

1 cup dried currants or raisins

 

Position the rack in the middle and preheat the oven to 375F. Generously butter a 10-inch cast-iron skillet with 2- to 2 1/2-inch-high sides (you can also bake it on a baking sheet, but it will flatten more).

In a bowl, whisk together the 3 cups of all-purpose flour, wheat flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Sprinkle the butter over the top and cut in with a pastry cutter or 2 knives until the mixture looks like coarse breadcrumbs.

In another bowl or container, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and orange zest. Add to the dough, stirring with a wooden spoon just until well incorporated. Combine the currants with 1 tablespoon of flour and stir into the dough. It will be sticky.

Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and knead it a few times into a round loaf. Place the loaf into the prepared skillet and cut an "X" into the top of the bread with a serrated knife. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until a toothpick comes out clean. When you tap the loaf, it will have a hollow sound.

Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove it from the pan and let cool on the rack. Serve warm or at room temperature with plenty of unsalted butter. (Though I hear some people eat this with cream cheese).

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Kids Kooking



Gazpacho Snack


1/3 cup chopped cucumber
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
2 tbsp. chopped onion
2 tbsp. plain yogurt
2 tsp. wine vinegar
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. ground red pepper
9 cherry tomatoes, each cut into 4 slices
36 Low Salt Ritz Crackers

In a small bowl, stir together cucumber, green pepper, onion, yogurt, vinegar, garlic powder, and red pepper until blended. Place a tomato slice on each Ritz cracker. Top with 1/2 teaspoon vegetable mixture. Serve immediately.
Makes 3 doz.

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Kids Kooking French Cassoulet




This is surprisingly good. My grandmother made this every time we stayed for the weekend. Sooo good.

French Cassoulet

Partially fry 4 strips bacon; take from skillet. Brown 1 large onion, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp. chopped parsley in bacon fat. Add 1 cup white wine (or 3/4 cup water, 1/4 cup lemon juice) and 1/4 cup Heinz ketchup. Simmer 5 min. Mix with 1 cup diced cooked meat and two 1-lb. cans of Heinz pork and beans in 1 1/2 quart casserole. Top with bacon. Bake at 350˚F for 45 min. Makes 6 servings.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Kids Kooking 7 Layer Vegetable Casserole

7 Layer Vegetable Casserole


Instead of meatloaf for dinner every Monday night, my mother made this-every Monday. Even to this day, I consider meatloaf a delicacy!

Heat oven to 350. Using a 2 qt baking dish with a tight fitting lid, layer the following:
1 cup of white rice, uncooked
2 cup whole kernel corn, drained
1 8 oz. can of Hunt's tomato sauce
1/2 can of water over the two layers
1/2 cup each of chopped onion, and green peppers
3/4 lb of extra lean, uncooked ground beef
Cover meat with 4 strips of bacon, cut in half
Pour second 8 oz. can of Hunt's tomato sauce
1/4 can of water over layers
Cover dish and bake for 1 hour, uncover and bake for about 30 minutes longer. Makes 4 to6 servings.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

KIds Kooking Puddin' Cookies



Puddin' Cookies



They're fun and so easy to make for scout meetings, open house, group functions, etc.

Mix well 3/4 cups Bisquick, 1 package instant pudding mix,( any flavor), 1/4 cup salad oil, 1 egg. Form into small balls, flatten with hand on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake 8 minutes at 350 degrees (mod) Makes 3 dozen.

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Kids Kooking Pineapple Jello Rings



Pineapple Jello Rings

1 (3 ounces) box of lime or strawberry Jello
1( 20 ounces) can of Pineapple Rings/Rounds

Just pour off the liquid of a No. 2 can of Dole Pineapple. Replace with gelatin made with half the liquid in package directions. Chill until set. Run a little hot water along the sides and bottom to loosen. Then cut the bottom of the can and use it to push mold out. Cut between pineapple rounds and serve.





Sunday, April 19, 2020

Kids Kooking Hot Dog Cuts/Designs


Hot Dog Cuts/Designs
Great for the summer picnics or BBQs
Hot dog design 1: Diamond
Score the top of the hot dog deeply — about halfway through the hot dog, using a crosshatch design.
Hot dog design 2: Spikes
Cut the hot dog three-quarters of the way through, down the middle. Cross with vertical cuts, also only three-quarters of the way through the hot dog.
Hot dog design 3: Palm tree
Cut three slices through the board (all the way through the hot dog), leaving one inch on the end uncut.
Hot dog design 4: Zig-Zag
Cut through to the board down one side. Make cuts on the the opposite side between the first ones.
Hot dog design 5: Spirals
Cut the hot dog in long quarters, making four separate strips.
Hot dog design 6: Snake
Cut through to the board on half of each side of the hot dog, leaving the opposite side uncut.