Creating food in the kitchen became some of the greatest accomplishments of my life. Spending time with my mother in her kitchen 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). Here is the recipe for these deep fried fritters :
New Year’s Cookies
1 package yeast dissolved in 1/4 cup warm water
1 cup cream, heat to lukewarm
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup sugar
2 eggs, room temperature, beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoon salt
dash nutmeg
1 cup raisins tossed with flour
4 1/2 cups flour
Mix dough in order given to a batter
Let rise in warm place
Heat oil in electric skillet to 400 degrees
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 cups sugar
1/2 cup shortening
Add and stir in :
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup milk
Add and stir in :
2 cups flour
5 tablespoons cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon salt
Add to batter :
1 cup boiling water
Pour into greased 9 x 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 to 4 cups broth
1 1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 to 3 tablespoons butter
1 can mushroom soup
3 cup crushed Ritz crackers
4 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon salt
Mix in order given. Pour in 9 x 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 package yeast
1/4 cup warm water
Combine and set aside :
1/4 cup shortening
1 tablespoon salt
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup quick oats
1 cup cold water
When lukewarm start adding yeast mixture and approximately 6 cups flour
Knead and put in oiled bowl to rise
When doubled in size, form into two loaves
Let rise in loaf pans and bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes
Zwieback
Mix together
2 tablespoons yeast
1/2 cup warm water
Mix together :
3/4 cup butter, melted
2 cups warm milk
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoon salt
6 1/2 to 7 cups flour
Mix in order given
Add 6 cups flour gradually
Knead on counter using extra 1/2 cup flour as needed
Let rise and pinch off to form zwieback
Let rise and bake at 400 degrees 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
1/2 head lettuce, torn into small pieces
1 cup chopped celery
2 green onions
1 can mandarin oranges
Combine :
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1 tablespoon sugar
Cook the almonds and the sugar on the stove until the sugar melts and starts to caramelize
Make dressing :
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup salad oil
1/8 teaspoon pepper or tabasco
Shake all ingredients in jar, and refrigerate until ready to use.
Coffee Cake
This recipe is dedicated to my grandson Aaron who requests it frequently
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup oil
mix and take out 3/4 cup crumbs
to remainder add :
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking powder
Combine well and pour batter into a greased 9 x 13 pan
Top with the 3/4 cup reserved crumbs and chopped nuts
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes and deliver to Aaron
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.
