Cooking
Creating food in the kitchen became some of the greatest accomplishments of my life. Spending time with my mother in her kitchens brought great enjoyment for me.
Thinking of what I cooked throughout the calendar year brings many memories.
In January, I think of nee-yosh-roka (New Year’s cookies). A recipe for these deep fried fritters follows.
New Year’s Cookies
1 pkg. yeast, dissolved in ¼ c. warm water
½ c. cream, heat to lukewarm
¼ c. butter, melted
1/3 c. sugar
2 eggs, room temperature, beaten
½ t. Vanilla
2 t. Salt
dash nutmeg
1 c. raisins tossed with flour
4½ c. flour
Mix dough in order given to a batter. Let rise in warm place.
Heat oil in electric skillet to 400°.
Spoon off batter into oil browning one side turning over to brown other side. Drain on paper towels.
Can be frosted with granulated sugar, or dipped in a thin glaze. Serve fresh.
Clara Bauer cake was made and served throughout the year. No one knows the origin of the title, but it was a well-loved cake by all who had a piece with a cup of coffee.
Clara Bauer Cake
Cream together: 2 c. sugar
½ c. shortening
Add and stir in: 2 eggs, beaten
1 t. vanilla
½ c. milk
Add and stir: 2 c. flour
5 T. cocoa
1½ t. Baking powder
1 t. Soda
1 t. Salt
Add to batter: 1 c. boiling water
Pour into greased 9×13 pan and bake in preheated 350° oven for 30-35 minutes. Can be eaten plain or frosted with butter frosting.
A favorite in the winter was applesauce or baked apples.
Quick Baked Apples
Core and cut into quarters unpeeled apples. Place in baking dish, sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Bake for 2 or 3 minutes in microwave. Serve warm.
Applesauce
Core an assortment of unpeeled apples. Cook until tender, and when cool, blend and sugar to taste. Can be cooked in small amount of apple or orange juice. You’ll never notice the blended peelings.
A good chicken casserole always tasted good in the winter.
Scalloped Chicken
1 stewing chicken, cooked, deboned and cut up
3-4 c. broth
1½ c. diced celery
½ c. chopped onion
2-3 T. butter
1 can mushroom soup
3 c. crushed Ritz crackers
4 eggs, beaten
1 t. salt
Mix in order given. Pour in 9×13 pan. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes.
And of course homemade bread is a must eaten with a casserole.
Oatmeal Bread
Stir together: 1 pkg. yeast
1/4 c. warm water
1 t. sugar
¼ c. melted butter
1 t. salt
Mix together: 1 c. oatmeal
1 c. boiling water
Add 1 c. cold water to oatmeal mixture. Cool to lukewarm.
Add yeast and 3 c. flour and mix well. Gradually add rest of flour. Knead well. Put in greased bowl. Let rise until double. Punch down and let rise again. Form into two greased loaf pans. Let rise again. Bake at 350° for 35-45 minutes. Can be formed into buns and baked 15-20 minutes.
Zwieback
Mix together: 2 T. yeast
½ c. warm water
Mix together: ¾ c. butter, melted
2 c. warm milk
2 T. sugar
2 t. Salt
6½-7 c. flour
Mix in order given. Add 6 cups flour gradually. Knead on counter using extra ½ c. flour as needed.
Let rise and pinch off to form zwieback. Let rise and bake at 400° for 15 minutes.
Fresh rolls were often eaten with cups of hot cocoa on Saturday night.
We did need some greens to round our our meals.
Mandarin Salad
½ head lettuce, torn into small pieces
1 c. chopped celery
2 green onions
1 can mandarin oranges
Cook to coat almonds: ¼ c. sliced almonds
1 T. sugar
Make dressing: ½ t. salt
2 T. sugar
¼ c. salad oil
⅛ t. pepper or tabasco
Shake all ingredients in jar, and refrigerate until ready to use.
This is just a sampling of some of the cooking I’ve done over the years. I have enough recipes to fill up the book.
