Sunday, May 29, 2011

Graham Crackers

Ingredients:
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk

Directions:
In a medium bowl, cream together the shortening and brown sugar. Stir in the vanilla. Combine the whole wheat flour, all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, stir into the creamed mixture alternately with the milk. Cover and chill dough until firm.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into rectangles. Place 1/2 inch apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, or until crisp. Edges will be golden brown. Remove from baking sheet to cool on wire racks.

Fruit Pastry

Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk (or 3 tbsps powdered milk mixed with 1 cup cold water)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups fresh or canned peaches or pears (pitted and sliced)

Directions:
Melt butter or margarine in a 9 x 13 inch pan. Set aside to cool.
Stir together flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Mix in milk and vanilla. Pour batter over melted butter. DO NOT MIX OR STIR. Spoon fruit with juice over the batter. DO NOT MIX OR STIR.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 55 minutes.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon honey
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup raisins

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the eggs, vanilla and honey. Sift together the flour, baking soda and cinnamon, gradually stir into the creamed mixture. Finally, stir in the rolled oats and raisins.
Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto unprepared cookie sheets. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until cookies start to brown. Remove from baking sheets to cool on wire racks.

10 min for chewy cookies, 15 if you like them crunchier

Apple Fritters

Ingredients:
1 quart vegetable oil for deep-frying

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup milk
2 eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 cups apples - peeled, cored and chopped
1 cup cinnamon sugar (1 cup sugar, 2 tbsp cinnamon)

Directions:
Heat the oil in a deep-fryer or electric skillet to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Pour in the milk, eggs and oil and stir until well blended. Mix in apples until they are evenly distributed.
Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil and fry until golden on both sides, about 5 minutes depending on the size. Fry in smaller batches so they are not crowded. Remove from the hot oil using a slotted spoon and drain briefly on paper towels. Toss with cinnamon sugar while still warm.

Homemade Mac & Cheese

Don't like to eat Mac & Cheese out of a box? Try this yummy recipe!

Ingredients:
1 2/3 cups dry, small elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (12 fluid ounce) can Evaporated Milk
1 cup water
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, set 1/2 cup aside

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 2-quart casserole dish.
Combine cornstarch, salt, and pepper in medium saucepan. Stir in evaporated milk, water, and butter. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese until melted. Add macaroni; mix well. Pour into prepared casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until cheese is melted and light brown.

To transform Macaroni & Cheese from a simple dish to a savory one-dish meal, add 1 cup chopped ham or hot dogs after milk mixture comes to a boil.