A recipe for friends

Well, there really is no recipe for good friends. But to have one, you must be one. Kind of like, takes one to know one. But, a new good friend asked for this recipe. And since I have not blogged in SOOO long, I thought I would share it here. So, here goes... This recipe was from another good friend, with whom I shared a supper co-op. More on that idea later. Rocky Mountain Brisket with BBQ sauce 1 1/2 tsp salt 1 1/2 tsp black pepper 2 TBS chili powder 1 tsp crushed bay leaves 2 TBS liquid smoke (I use hickory, and generously) 4 lb beef brisket BBQ Sauce 3 TBS brown sugar 14oz. catsup (I don't really measure...eyeball it) 1/2 cup water 2 TBS liquid smoke (again, generously here) salt and pepper to taste 4 TBS worcestershire sauce (generously here, too) 3 tsp dry mustard 6 TBS butter (I just throw in a whole stick) Emphasis mine: add a little honey (about 1/4 cup), cayenne (about 1/2 tsp) Simmer the sauce. I mix all the spices for the rub and put it all over the brisket. I cooked mine in a LeCreuset cast iron French Oven for about 2 hours or so at 325 degrees F. I put in a tad of water, so it doesn't dry out and get stuck to the pot. Slice thinly and top with sauce. When I say generously, I usually mean I didn't really measure it...or I added a dash or so more. Clear as mud? And regarding good friends, generosity is a good rule. ;-) Enjoy!

Think out of the box

It is amazing to realize how easily we come to rely upon certain things...like ground beef...when we need something quick or easy to prepare. Well, what does one do when there is none available? Ground pork and sausage have produced favorable results in a few recipes. But, I am here to tell you what is really good....lamb. I am very thankful that there are a few of those critters outside, safely grazing their way to my table. Ground lamb adds a delectible dimension to lasagne and spaghetti that I did not expect. So, tonight it finds its way into my supper plans. Lamb sausage will be the main ingredient...along with some pasta, cheddar cheese, tomato sauce, onions and garlic. Mmmmm....I can taste it now. I'd better go to the kitchen and get busy.

But, I think when we pick up the latest steer from the butcher next week, I'll look forward to what we have missed for a couple of months now...burgers, sloppy joes, meatloaf, meatballs (the boys' favorite!), tacos. My Eldest Maiden just said, "it's not just the boys' favorite, Mama!"

Is it supper time yet?

Soup's On!

In these frigid winter days, soup is such a blessing. Take a few meaty soup bones, dredge in a little kosher salt and brown in butter. Some fresh garlic is good and good for you, so throw that in. Smells soooooo gooooooood!! Now deglaze your pan with a little wine, red or sherry, and add a dash of Worcestershire Sauce for good measure. Add enough water to cover and simmer until the meat practically falls off the bone. Take out the bones, leave the meat. Now you have a perfectly lovely, delicious and healthy broth. At this point, you can use your imagination and create a fabulous soup that your family will love. Not up for soup? Freeze the broth in ice cube trays for later. No more bouillion cubes for you! Banish the cans of broth! You have now had real food...you may never want to go back. The best thing to do now is make a nice bread to go along with it and invite your neighbors over. They can bring the salad...or not. Let your love be sincere...practice hospitality. It is good....Providentially!

Half-Sours

...not half bad! Actually, very good! Recipe link to follow, and a photo if we can manage one before we eat them all.

From the Mouths of Babes

Latest cute quote from the Happy Protector (age two), as he was thoroughly enjoying two desserts (Flourless Chocolate Cake and Fresh Strawberry Pie...handpicked and handmade by his sisters, of course).... "Our house is NOT desserted!" Profound in more ways than one.

Feeding the Multitudes

Yesterday, we had a glorious Lord's Day. Worship, rest and fellowship is the order of the day for us each Sunday. Nothing like having a few friends over after church....you know, oh, 70 or so. As a very dear young lady was helping in the kitchen, she requested my bread recipe. While I confess, it may not be the same loaf twice around here, it is usually pretty tasty no matter what. And I know the Lord fed over 5,000 with five loaves. But here, a couple disappeared rather quickly with just a handful of young'n's. Maybe it was the peanut butter and jam...or greed? We'll say pbj. Think the best. And by handful, I mean 30 or so. You know, just a few.



And while I am one of those home-schooling, denim skirt-wearing, grain-grinding kind of gals, this recipe is the one we go to for quick, easy and yummy all in one package...white flour and all.



Anyway, here goes...



4 cups warm water

8 TBS softened butter

4 TBS yeast (I use instant)

2 TBS kosher salt (sea salt works well....if regular table salt, decrease by half)

1 cup sugar (choose your poison...mine is organic evaporated cane juice)

4 eggs (the emulsifier of choice, replaces soy lecithin)

1 cup oats, moistened (I used quick and about 1/2 cup water)

12 3/4 cups flour (here you may use your flour of choice, or combination of grains)



In your handy-dandy mixer (Electrolux for my bread, Kitchenaid for other recipes), mix all these ingredients until the dough is elastic and pulls away from the bowl. If it is too sticky, add more flour a little at a time. Resist the temptation to dump a cup! TBS at a time will do.



Now, here is where you make a choice. Rolls or loaves? Or both! For loaves, pull off as much as needed and shape. I pinch off my dough and using as little effort as possible (for the dough's sake, not mine!), smooth it from top to bottom. I realize this is hard to imagine without photos. Maybe a dough tutorial will follow later. Maybe. Put the loaves into pans with parchment paper (no greasing necessary). Allow to rise to desired fullness (about half an hour). Bake at 350 degrees F, for half an hour.

For rolls, allow to rise before shaping, about an hour. Then, shape; place on parchment paper; cover and rise again. Bake at 375 degrees F, for about 8-10 minutes. In my opinion, dark is dry and overdone. So watch for a light, golden color...and you will get a moist, smooth texture.

This recipe makes (usually) four loaves, or two loaves and enough rolls to feed our family supper (and have a few leftover if we are not gluttonous) or whatever combination thereof you desire. The amount of dough for one loaf constitutes about a dozen decent-sized rolls. There. Clear as mud. But much yummier.

Coconut Cake

Now, I am not sure whether or not I can share this recipe with you. I promise it isn't because I don't want to. But, friends, I am here to tell you, this cake was fantastic. A while back, (I know...it has been too long), I mentioned heirloom recipes and hinted that you should not keep them 'til you die! Didn't your mama teach you to share? There is one recipe, a family treasure you could say, that has eluded everyone who has ever asked for it. My Aunt Zelma made the best coconut cake you have ever tasted. She would not tell the recipe for love nor money, and ask me how I know. She took it to her grave. Sad but true. Actually, I think her daughter has it, but she isn't giving it up either. My sister and I have come pretty close, and we share our trials and triumphs with each other every time we try it. Well, I have found a new favorite. There's a new coconut cake on my favorites list. The recipe is from Paula Deen, in her book The Lady and Sons Too. So, as it is a published work, I'll send you in her direction for the recipe. But let it be known that it is worth the effort finding and preparing and waiting for.

It rests in the fridge for three days, so it's a perfect cake for Resurrection Sunday. Not perfect, however, for taking to the church picnic. (Sorry folks, but you'll have to come to Providence Farm to taste it.) It is a tall, cool, six-layered taste of Heaven on Earth. Move over Pepperidge Farms...this one is the real deal.

I told my mama that I thought this might even be better than Aunt Zelma's, but if she told anybody I said it, I'd deny it. I said Aunt Zelma would roll over in her grave. Mama said "ohhh, I am going to run down there right now and tell her!" Tattle tale...