Basic Recipes Needed

[Esther B.]

Hello ladies!

As I said in my thread about Samuel, he has a sister. Her name is Michel and she's 18 years old and unmarried. She's a lovely blonde-haired, blue-eyed young woman with wide hips and a talent for sewing and yarnwork. Her cleaning abilities are decent, but her cooking skills leave a lot to be desired. She has only recently learned how to use a whisk (disappointing, I know). I was going to teach her how to make pie yesterday, but something came up and she will be unable to visit me for a few days. My goal is to make a list of simple and delicious recipes that I can show her how to make when she returns. I have a few ideas in mind, but I'd appreciate any suggestions or recipes.

Thank you!

[Felicity]

Re: Basic Recipes Needed

All American Apple pie!

1. Ingredients for the crust: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 10 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, 1/3 cup chilled vegetable shortening, diced and 6 tablespoons ice water.
2. Ingredients for the filling: 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup golden brown sugar, 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 3 1/2 lbs granny smith apples, peeled, cored, sliced into 1/4-inch thick slices, 1 tablespoon milk and 1 teaspoon sugar.
3. For the Crust: Blend flour, sugar and salt. Never ever use a food processor or any other contraption!
4. Milk your cow, make the butter and add the butter and shortening and cut in, until mixture resembles coarse meal.
5. Add 6 tablespoons ice water and mix until clumps form, adding more water by teaspoonfuls if dough is dry (I never need more than 6 tablespoons).
6. Gather into ball; divide into 2 pieces.
7. Flatten each into a disk. Wrap each in plastic; chill at least 48 hours.
8. For the filling: Position oven rack in lowest rack of oven and preheat to 400°F
9. Mix all of the filling ingredients except apples in large bowl. It should be very dry and clumpy -- not really a 'sauce' at all.
10. Add apples and coat.
11. To assemble: Flour a sheet of parchment paper; roll out 1 dough onto paper until it is a 12-inch round.
12. Transfer to 9-inch-diameter glass pie dish by flipping the paper over, then gently pressing so that the dough is along the bottom of the pie dish. There should be an overhang all the way around.
13. Add filling.
14. Roll out second dough to 13-inch round. Cut into twelve 1-inch wide strips. Arrange 6 strips across pie, leaving gaps between the filling and the lattuce along the way (that will make weaving the others easier).
15. Form lattice by arranging 6 strips across the first strips, taking care as you go. If one breaks, don't worry--just tuck the break underneath!
16. Gently fold over the edges onto the lattice, pressing with a fork to seal.
17. Brush lattice with milk, and sprinkle lightly with additional sugar.
18. Cover edges with foil and bake pie 10 minutes.
19. Without opening the oven, I know, it is hard to resist! , reduce the oven temperature to 375°F.
20. Continue baking until juices are thickened and crust is golden, about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
21. Allow to cool for at least one hour before eating.
22. Make sure there are no Negros near your window because they will steal your pie!

[VictoryOS]

Re: Basic Recipes Needed

Oh my. For a young lady getting up in her years, who has all those talents and traits going for her, it seems odd that no man has taken her for a bride yet. Are you sure she's not that way?

[Esther B.]

Re: Basic Recipes Needed

All American Apple pie!

1. Ingredients for the crust: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 10 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, 1/3 cup chilled vegetable shortening, diced and 6 tablespoons ice water.
2. Ingredients for the filling: 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup golden brown sugar, 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 3 1/2 lbs granny smith apples, peeled, cored, sliced into 1/4-inch thick slices, 1 tablespoon milk and 1 teaspoon sugar.
3. For the Crust: Blend flour, sugar and salt. Never ever use a food processor or any other contraption!
4. Milk your cow, make the butter and add the butter and shortening and cut in, until mixture resembles coarse meal.
5. Add 6 tablespoons ice water and mix until clumps form, adding more water by teaspoonfuls if dough is dry (I never need more than 6 tablespoons).
6. Gather into ball; divide into 2 pieces.
7. Flatten each into a disk. Wrap each in plastic; chill at least 48 hours.
8. For the filling: Position oven rack in lowest rack of oven and preheat to 400°F
9. Mix all of the filling ingredients except apples in large bowl. It should be very dry and clumpy -- not really a 'sauce' at all.
10. Add apples and coat.
11. To assemble: Flour a sheet of parchment paper; roll out 1 dough onto paper until it is a 12-inch round.
12. Transfer to 9-inch-diameter glass pie dish by flipping the paper over, then gently pressing so that the dough is along the bottom of the pie dish. There should be an overhang all the way around.
13. Add filling.
14. Roll out second dough to 13-inch round. Cut into twelve 1-inch wide strips. Arrange 6 strips across pie, leaving gaps between the filling and the lattuce along the way (that will make weaving the others easier).
15. Form lattice by arranging 6 strips across the first strips, taking care as you go. If one breaks, don't worry--just tuck the break underneath!
16. Gently fold over the edges onto the lattice, pressing with a fork to seal.
17. Brush lattice with milk, and sprinkle lightly with additional sugar.
18. Cover edges with foil and bake pie 10 minutes.
19. Without opening the oven, I know, it is hard to resist! , reduce the oven temperature to 375°F.
20. Continue baking until juices are thickened and crust is golden, about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
21. Allow to cool for at least one hour before eating.
22. Make sure there are no Negros near your window because they will steal your pie!

Thank you, Felicity! I will write down the recipe and save it for Michel (and possibly for myself).

Oh my. For a young lady getting up in her years, who has all those talents and traits going for her, it seems odd that no man has taken her for a bride yet. Are you sure she's not that way?

I can see why you're concerned, Sister Victory, but I can assure you that she isn't like that at all. If she was, she wouldn't be part of her family. She just doesn't have a lot of experience with cooking, as odd as it may seem.

[VictoryOS]

Re: Basic Recipes Needed

You're right. That does seem odd. If you like, I could spend some time with the poor dear to determine whether or not she has been infected with the homo virus. It's the least I could do.

[Jim Farmer]

Re: Basic Recipes Needed

You're right. That does seem odd. If you like, I could spend some time with the poor dear to determine whether or not she has been infected with the homo virus. It's the least I could do.

Are you sure you're not just after a cleaner?

[Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson]

Re: Basic Recipes Needed

These are very basic recipes, yet I feel like I must include them.

Meat Crescent Ring
Using pie crust, cut it in triangles, and lay them in a ring. Then layer thin sliced ham, cheese, more ham, some bacon, and more cheese. Then cover it in longer triangle rings to create a top. Bake it for 15 minutes at 300 degrees. This is good when you are in a hurry and need to make some pretty piece for a potluck or charity.

Pickles

3-3/4 cups water
3-3/4 cups white or cider vinegar
6 tbsp. pickling salt
Large saucepan
2-1/4 lbs. 4-inch pickling cucumbers (about 36 cucumbers)
Paring knife
6 clean pint jars with lids and seals
6 to 8 tbsp. dill seed
1 tbsp. mustard seed
Measuring spoons
Wide-mouth funnel
Ladle
Paper towel
Canning bath

Make the pickling brine by mixing water, vinegar and pickling salt in the saucepan. Heat until the mixture comes to a boil.

Wash the cucumbers thoroughly. Cut off the stems and cut a 1/4-inch slice from each end

Place five to six cucumbers into each pint canning jar. Leave 1/2 inch of headroom between the cucumbers and the top of the jar. Place 3 to 4 tsp. of the dill seed and 1/2 teaspoon of the mustard seed in each jar.

Place the funnel into the top of a jar. Ladle the brine carefully into the jar, filling it to within 1/2 inch of the top. Remove the funnel. Wipe the edge of the jar with a clean, damp paper towel. Place the seal and lid in place and tighten. Repeat with the remaining jars.

Place the sealed jars into the boiling water in the canner. Make sure the jars do not touch each other. Cover the canner. Boil the jars for 10 minutes. Remove the jars from the canning bath and allow to cool.

Let the sealed jars stand at room temperature for one week. They can then be stored up to one year in a cool, dark place. Once the sealed jars are opened, store them in the refrigerator

Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients
Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 medium carrots, cut diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices
2 celery ribs, halved lengthwise, and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
4 fresh thyme sprigs
1 bay leaf
2 quarts chicken stock, recipe follows
8 ounces dried wide egg noodles
1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
Chicken Stock:
1 whole free-range chicken (about 3 1/2 pounds), rinsed, giblets discarded
2 carrots, cut in large chunks
3 celery stalks, cut in large chunks
2 large white onions, quartered
1 head of garlic, halved
1 turnip, halved
1/4 bunch fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

Directions
Place a soup pot over medium heat and coat with the oil. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, celery, thyme and bay leaf. Cook and stir for about 6 minutes, until the vegetables are softened but not browned. Pour in the chicken stock and bring the liquid to a boil. Add the noodles and simmer for 5 minutes until tender. Fold in the chicken, and continue to simmer for another couple of minutes to heat through; season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.

Chicken Stock:
Place the chicken and vegetables in a large stockpot over medium heat. Pour in only enough cold water to cover (about 3 quarts); too much will make the broth taste weak. Toss in the thyme, bay leaves, and peppercorns, and allow it to slowly come to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-low and gently simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, partially covered, until the chicken is done. As it cooks, skim any impurities that rise to the surface; add a little more water if necessary to keep the chicken covered while simmering.

Carefully remove the chicken to a cutting board. When its cool enough to handle, discard the skin and bones; hand-shred the meat into a storage container.

Carefully strain the stock through a fine sieve into another pot to remove the vegetable solids. Use the stock immediately or if you plan on storing it, place the pot in a sink full of ice water and stir to cool down the stock. Cover and refrigerate for up to one week or freeze.

Yield: 2 quarts

Biscuits

Ingredients
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons butter, cubed
3/4 cup milk

Directions
In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together. Cut butter into mixture until it begins to look like cornmeal.

Make a well with flour mixture and slowly add milk into the middle. Knead dough with your fingers and add milk when necessary. Roll out dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll out to desired thickness. Cut with small biscuit cutter.

Butter bottom of skillet and place biscuits in pan. Cover and place on top of hot coals in the fireplace. Carefully place some hot coals on top of the skillet cover. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Mashed Potatos

Ingredients:
2 sticks butter, softened, plus more for pan
5 pounds russet or Yukon gold potatoes
One 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 to 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously butter a 4-quart baking dish.

Peel and cut the potatoes into chunks. Bring a large pot of water to a simmer and add the potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook until fork tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

Drain the potatoes in a large colander. Place them back into the dry pot and put the pot on the stove. Mash the potatoes over low heat, allowing all the steam to escape before adding in all the other ingredients.

Turn off the heat and add 1 1/2 sticks butter, the cream cheese, heavy cream, seasoned salt, salt and pepper. Mash to combine.

Spread the potatoes in the prepared baking dish. Throw pats of the remaining butter over the top of the potatoes and bake until the butter is melted and the potatoes are warmed through, 20 to 30 minutes.


I hope this helps!
Elizabeth

[Alvin Moss]

Re: Basic Recipes Needed

This is one of my favorites:

Boil some water
Put a little salt in it
Put some oatmeal in it
Boil it a little more

Voila!

[Roland]

Re: Basic Recipes Needed

I sometimes use this recipe from Robin.

It takes some time to prepare but not a lot of work. Anybody can make it and it is delicious. Lots of meat and lots of excellent gravy. Do add a whole bottle of wine and fry the meat well in cleared butter before simmering.

Pic and recipe behind the link due to copyright issues.

Another favourite for anyone who loves tasty, juicy, succulent, moist meat is this recipe by Gordon, also pretty straight forward:

[Esther B.]

Re: Basic Recipes Needed

Thank you for your generous offer, Sister Victory! Unfortunately, I do not think that her father will allow her to be in a different state without him.

Thank you, Sister Elizabeth, for those recipes! I just might have to copy them down for myself as well.

Thank you, Brother Alvin! I will see if Michel is capable of making something as easy as oatmeal.

Thank you, Roland! Unfortunately, I'm not sure if Michel's father will let her prepare those delicious looking ribs. Her father doesn't trust her or her mother with anything that can be cooked on a grill (with the exception of steak).

[Roland]

Re: Basic Recipes Needed

[...]
Thank you, Roland! Unfortunately, I'm not sure if Michel's father will let her prepare those delicious looking ribs. Her father doesn't trust her or her mother with anything that can be cooked on a grill (with the exception of steak).

What a surprising decision. One would think that getting a perfect steak from a grill requires some expertise: Much more skill than required for the recipes I posted.

Here another easy recipe.

As for the directions: Leave out the milk (It´s for babies), add a whole bottle of wine (Bordeaux), 2 cans of tomato paste should be two cans of fried tomato paste and two (or three) cans of peeled tomatoes. 3,5 hours as posted in the recipe is nice but longer is tastier! Leave out the pancetta, use mushrooms instead Enjoy!

[Freddy Osborne]

Re: Basic Recipes Needed

Breakfast

Boil about four cups of chicken stock.
Add:
Some chopped onion
Handful of frozen corn
1-1/2 cups of grits
Tablespoon of butter

About two minutes before the grits are done, mix in 3-4 beaten eggs.
Add some shredded cheese. Chopped ham is good too.

Good stuff.

[Esther B.]

Re: Basic Recipes Needed

What a surprising decision. One would think that getting a perfect steak from a grill requires some expertise: Much more skill than required for the recipes I posted.

Here another easy recipe.

As for the directions: Leave out the milk (It´s for babies), add a whole bottle of wine (Bordeaux), 2 cans of tomato paste should be two cans of fried tomato paste and two (or three) cans of peeled tomatoes. 3,5 hours as posted in the recipe is nice but longer is tastier! Leave out the pancetta, use mushrooms instead Enjoy!

Thank you! I believe that that recipe will be appropriate.

Breakfast

Boil about four cups of chicken stock.
Add:
Some chopped onion
Handful of frozen corn
1-1/2 cups of grits
Tablespoon of butter

About two minutes before the grits are done, mix in 3-4 beaten eggs.
Add some shredded cheese. Chopped ham is good too.

Good stuff.

Thank you, Brother! That looks delicious!

In other news, Michel might have a suitor. Her father isn't giving any other details except to say that the young man is a very patient teacher.

[Nobar King]

Re: Basic Recipes Needed

WARNING!!! User promoting atheism and/or absurdism!!!

[Esther B.]

Re: Basic Recipes Needed

WARNING!!! User promoting atheism and/or absurdism!!!

Oh my! Thank you for pointing that out, Brother Nobar!