Basic Steamed Rice

From More-with-Less Cookbook by D.J. Longacre...

Combine in heavy saucepan:
1 1/2 C. rice
1/2 tsp salt
Just enough water to rise above rice level to a depth of one inch; Asians measure using index finger from tip to middle of first knuckle.

Over high heat, bring to a full rolling boil. Stir through with a fork, loosening grains at the bottom of pan. Reduce heat to simmer, cover with tight-fitting lid, and do not stir or peek for 20 minutes. (If burner stays too hot and causes rice to boil over, pull pan partially off burner for first 5 minutes). After 20 minutes, turn off heat and let rice stand covered until ready to serve. Flake gently while transferring to serving dish. Yields a tender but slightly chewy rice with no gluey moisture at bottom.

*If using brown rice, increase cooking time to 45 minutes.


Notes: I have found this recipe really helpful and no longer buy expensive minute rice. It's a little tricky to get the consistency right, and the rice does seem gluey if it sits too long before being served.

Chocolate Revel Bars

These are highly recommended for a dessert! Makes a large quantity without too much effort. Recipe shared from a cookbook created by my Aunt Kathie.

1 C. Butter
2 C. Br Sugar
2 Eggs
2 tsp Vanilla
2 1/2 C. Flour
1 tsp Bk soda
1 tsp Salt
3 C. Quick oats

15 oz. Sweetened Condensed Milk
12 oz. Semisweet choc. chips (~2C)
2 Tb Butter
2 tsp Vanilla

Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs & vanilla. Mix dry ingreds, then oats. Add to wet ingreds.

In heavy pan (on low heat) or microwave: heat swt/cond milk, chocolate, 2Tb butter and vanilla. Stir until smooth.

Wet hands and pat 2/3 of oatmeal mixture into greased 11x15 pan. Spread chocolate mixture over dough. Sprinkle remaining oats mixture over chocolate.

Bake at 350 for ~ 20 min.

An Online Cookbook

The practicality of having my recipe collection on the internet intrigues me. I couldn't figure out an easy way to do this without overloading Shupe Shire. Tonight while I was reading through some blogs of note, I came across a blog that was strictly recipes. Aha! What if I made a separate blog just for all my crazy recipes??? Thanks Food for Her Household for the idea! So, here it is! I thank God for showing me this little revelation tonight, and I believe it will be helpful in the future for keeping our home in order! I might be the only one to use this, but I hope not! I hope others will enjoy these recipes and that the recipes will bring warmth and "mmmmm" to other people's homes.

Please give feedback on any recipes that you try!

Currant Scones

2C. Flour
1/4 C. Sugar
1 Tb bk powder
1/8 tsp salt
1/3 C. cold butter, cut in pieces
1 egg
1/2 cup cream
2 tsp vanilla (may substitute with almond extract)
1/2 C. frozen currants (may substitute with other dried, fresh or frozen fruits)

-Mix dry ingred. Use pastry blender to mix in butter or mix with your hands until coarse crumbs. Make well in center of mixture.
-Whisk together egg, cream, and vanilla. Add to dry ingred. Stir until moistened and dough forms.
-Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead by folding and gently pressing for 5-8 turns until dough is nearly smooth. Pat dough into 8-inch circle, then cut into 8 wedges.
-Brush with cream and sprinkle with a touch of sugar.
-Place each scone 1 inch apart on sprayed baking sheet. Bake at 400 for 12 min, or until lightly browned.


This recipe is from the Midwest Living Oct. 06 issue with just a couple adjustments. Mmmm good and it makes me think of England!!!

Notes to self...
Try:
Apple Scones: Add 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg?, 3/4 C. chopped/peeled apple. Sprinkle tops with cinnamon/sugar. May take 14 min. to bake
Poppy Seed Scones: 2 Tb poppy seeds, 1 tsp lemon peel
Cranberry Pecan: 1/2 C. chopped fresh or dried cranb. & 1/4 C. chopped pecans (or almonds?)
Berry Scones: 1/2C. frozen blue/raspberries or chopped strawb.
Peach Almond: 1/2C. chopped, peeled peaches, 1/4C. sliced almonds, 1/4 tsp almond extr. instead of vanilla

Cherry & Apple Muffins

1 egg
3/4 C. milk
1 handful dried cherries
1 chopped apple
1/2 C. oil
1 C. wh. wheat flour
1 C. quick oats
1/3 C. sugar
1 Tb bk powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp almond extr.
Mix dry ingredients. Mix wet ingredients (I used between 1/3 and 1/2 C. oil and it worked well) and add to dry ingredients. Pour into 12 greased cups. Bake at 400 degrees for approx. 15 minutes. Serve warm with butter! Mmmm.

Note to self. Might try with 1/4 C. sugar next time. Had to add a wee bit extra flour to get 12 muffins.

Blueberry Bread

A recipe I found in an old Country Living...
1/4 C. butter, soft
1/2 C. sugar
2 eggs
2 C. flour
2 tsp bk powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 C. milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp dried lemon peel
1 C. blueberries, fresh or frozen

Beat butter and sugar til fluffy, add vanilla and eggs one at a time.
Mix flour, bk powder, salt, lemon peel. Comine and add milk just until mixed. Add berries.
(I added a splash more milk - very thick batter)
Turn into heavily sprayed bread loaf pan and bake at 350 approx 50 min, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 min in pan on rack

Very good! Might try almond extract next time instead of vanilla.

My Favorite Pizza Dough Recipe

Anne Jisca's Easy Pizza Dough - recipe originally found at Tammy's Recipes,
modified just a pinch...

1 tablespoon instant yeast
1 cup water
2 tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups flour (have tried using 1/2 whole wheat...pretty good, but heavier)

Pizza toppings of your choice

Instructions:
1. Dissolve yeast in water and oil. Stir in sugar, salt, and flour.

2. Mix until a ball forms. Allow to rise for 5 minutes. Roll flat and place on a greased pizza/cookie sheet. Sprinkle with desired toppings. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until the crust is golden. (Sometimes I bake for 5-7 minutes first then put sauce and toppings on, as I don't care for a soggy crust and this seems to help based on our toppings/oven).

Of note: 1.5x recipe fits a 11x15 pan well. Works really well for calzones.
Very good! This pizza dough turned out better than any past attempts! Rose well (as noted next to the Dordt College mug:)).

Italian Cheese Bread

Italian Cheese Bread - recipe found at Tammy's Recipes

Bread:

2-1/2 C all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 TBSP quick-rise yeast
1 C warm water (120*-130*)
1 TBSP vegetable oil

Topping:

1/4 C prepared Italian salad dressing
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp ground oregano
1/4 tsp dried thyme
Dash peper
1 TBSP grated Parmesan cheese (or more)
1 C shredded mozzarella cheese


Instructions:
1. In a bowl, combine the first four ingredients.

2. Combine water and oil; add to flour mixture. Add additional flour if needed to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead for 1-2 mintues or until smooth and elastic.

3. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes.

4. Punch the dough down; place on a greased 12" pizza pan and pat into a 12" circle. Brush with salad dressing.

5. Combine the seasonings; sprinkle over top. Sprinkle with cheeses. Bake at 450* for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Of note: Watch carefully at the end as not to burn. Would use a bit more cheese and dressing. Can use ranch drg instead.
Good!