Historical Nibbles

White Bread and Cheese Bread

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by Sandra Merville Hart

I was looking for a bread recipe to serve with beef stew for guests. I found this wonderful recipe in The Fannie Farmer Cookbook.

With stew as my main course, I wanted a hearty bread as an accompaniment. These loaves did not disappoint any of my guests.

This recipe makes 2 loaves. There was suggested variation for making cheese bread. That appealed to me so I made one white and one cheese loaf.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons shortening

2 ½ teaspoons salt

2 tablespoons sugar

1 cup hot milk

1 cup hot water

1 package dry yeast

6 cups white flour (I used bread flour)

1 ½ cups grated Cheddar Cheese or other cheese (if making cheese bread)

Blend the shortening, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Stir in the hot milk and water. Set aside and allow it to cool to lukewarm. (The mixture cools within a few minutes.)

Meanwhile, place the yeast into a small bowl and mix it with ¼ cup warm water. Allow it to stand for 5 minutes to dissolve and activate the yeast.

Add the activated yeast to the cooled mixture and stir. Add 3 cups of flour and mix until well-blended. (I used my hands—too much of my Southern grandma in me. 😊) Add 2 more cups of flour and mix it together well. Then turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for a minute or two.

Allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes.

You’re ready to knead again. Of the remaining cup of flour, add just enough so the dough isn’t sticky, a little at a time as you knead the dough until it is elastic and smooth. (I might have had ½ cup of flour that wasn’t needed of the 6 cups.)

Grease a large bowl. Place the dough inside and cover with plastic wrap. Set it in a warm area and allow it to rise until the size doubles.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare two loaf pans with cooking spray.

Punch the risen dough and divide it in half. Place one half in one of the pans.

If you plan for one of the loaves to be cheese bread, gently mix in the shredded cheese now with your hands. Then place the prepared cheesy dough into the other loaf pan.

Cover with plastic wrap and wait until it doubles in size.

Remove plastic wrap and bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Then lower setting to 375 degrees and bake for another 30 minutes.

Delicious! I sliced the cooled bread and we ate it with beef stew—what a treat! Crusty bread went perfectly with the meal. Some buttered the slices and others didn’t, but all enjoyed freshly baked white or cheese bread for supper.

My husband and I ate leftovers the following evening and it still tasted just as delicious.

The whole process took about 3 ½ hours from start to finish. I will make this again.

***I made this again for family. They loved the bread! In fact, my sister loved the cheese bread so much that she suggested I sell it! I think it’s delicious too, and well worth the time and effort to make it.

I’d love to hear if you try it.

Sources

Revised by Cunningham, Marion and Laber, Jeri. The Fannie Farmer Cookbook, Alfred A Knopf Inc., 1983.

Pinwheel Appetizers

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by Sandra Merville Hart

When trying to decide which appetizer to take to a holiday party, I thought about pinwheels. It had been several years since I made them and didn’t recall the ingredients so I made up my own.

I decided to make two different types, both using flour tortillas as the base.

The first one was a pizza pinwheel.

Pizza Pinwheel

Large flour tortillas

Sliced Pepperoni

Pizza sauce

1 tomato, diced small

Mozzarella Cheese, shredded

Bacon, cooked and crumbled

Heat pizza sauce. Spoon a thin layer of sauce over the tortilla. Arrange pepperoni slices over the sauce.

Sprinkle crumbled bacon and diced tomatoes over the top. Then add a thin layer of cheese.

Fold over the sides and begin rolling from the bottom to the top until ends meet.

Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Repeat the process to make as many pinwheels as needed.

If serving this appetizer as hot, heat it in the microwave for 30 – 45 seconds before slicing it.

It also tastes good cold. No need to heat before slicing.

For my second one, I decided to make a pinwheel using veggies from a veggie tray. Chopping/preparing the vegetables was the only time-consuming part of this.

Veggie Pinwheel

Large flour tortillas

Broccoli, chopped small

Cauliflower, chopped small

Celery, sliced thin

Carrots, diced small

Tomato, diced small

Ranch dressing

Cheddar cheese, shredded

Combine the broccoli, cauliflower, celery, and carrots in a bowl.

Spoon a thin layer of Ranch dressing over the tortilla. Arrange a small amount of the veggie mixture from above over the dressing.

Sprinkle diced tomatoes over the top. Then add a thin layer of cheese.

Fold over the sides and begin rolling from the bottom to the top until ends meet.

Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to slice and serve.

Repeat the process to make as many pinwheels as needed.

Both of these were a hit with the guests. 😊

Illustrated Cincinnati by Daniel J. Kenny

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Pictorial Hand-book of the Queen City

I love this book!

Published in 1875, the author jam-packed this book with descriptions and sketches of hotels, places of entertainment, public buildings, schools, colleges, banks, parks, and churches. It gives details about transportation, club houses, boat clubs, and charities.

The sketches of early buildings include the people and modes of transportation on the streets. Perhaps the author did not realize that such sketches would provide details about clothing, omnibuses, railcars, and landaus pulled by horse teams to readers long after such things were not even a memory for those still living.

A sketch of the Burnet House shows what an impressive hotel it was—and Abraham Lincoln is on its register!

I read this book during my research for my book set in Cincinnati, A Not So Persistent Suitor. I used some wonderful information from the book about the Tyler Davidson Fountain on Fifth Street in my story. I referred to the book time and again while writing my story set in 1883-84.

Recommended for readers who love the history of Cincinnati and Ohio.

Amazon

Marshmallow Snowmen – Fun for the Family

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by Sandra Merville Hart

I made Rick Krispie Treats over the holidays and had leftover marshmallows that I decided would make a fun treat for our young grandchildren.

There were plenty of the larger marshmallows for the 3 sections. I made a batch of icing, thinking that icing would be necessary as edible “glue” to stick the sections together.

Either the icing doesn’t work well, or the young artists require more patience than ours possess to allow it to dry. 😊

Anyway, we discovered that pressing the marshmallows together without icing actually bonded the sections quite well.

Next, I set out bowls with candy eyes, pretzels, chocolate chips, and pink, green, and white icing to decorate. A potato chip became a snowman hat. Icing worked well to glue the candy to the marshmallow creation.

Even Grandpa got in in the fun!

When the children are decoratimg, their imaginations go wild so that no two snowmen look exactly alike.

This is a fun winter activity for the family.

A New Year’s Tradition

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by Sandra Merville Hart

I didn’t like black-eyed peas as a child. My dad didn’t seem especially fond of them either since my mom only served them once a year.

Yet my dad insisted that everyone at the table eat at least one bite of black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day. It had been more than a tradition when my dad was growing up. He’d been taught to believe that eating this side dish at the New Year’s supper brought good luck.

While he may not have believed it totally, the tradition had been ingrained in him. He made certain that someone remembered to buy a bag of the dried beans or a can to serve each year.

Every year, that is, until what was to be the final Christmas for him and mom.

That year, he seemed to sense that my mother would not see another Christmas. He called his two children that lived hundreds of miles away and told them to come home for Christmas. His other children were already in the area.

That Christmas, the weather cooperated with mild temperatures. We were all together for about a week. My mom hadn’t been going out for much more than doctor appointments for months, but we managed to get her out for the daily festivities.

With all the grandchildren and in-laws gathered, it felt like a gift to celebrate the holidays together. At one point, my parents and all four of their children found themselves sitting around the dining room table together. It had been many years since that happened. No one wanted to move. It was such a gift, one that never happened again.

No one remembered to buy black-eyed peas for the New Year’s meal. My dad seemed a bit concerned but took it in stride.

The following year ushered in one nightmare after another. There were several deaths in the family, including both my parents.

Do I believe those tragic events had anything to do with not eating that traditional dish? Not at all.

Still, in honor of my dad, I serve black-eyed peas to all who eat at my table on New Year’s Day.

Pecan Pie Recipe

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by Sandra Merville Hart

When my daughter asked me to bring a pecan pie for a family dinner, I had to search for a recipe. I can’t clearly remember making one, but, if I did, it was before she was born. 😊

I chose one from my old Fannie Farmer’s cookbook.

Pecan Pie

3 eggs, slightly beaten

¾ cup sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 cup dark corn syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla

8 ounces whole pecans

Prepared single crust pie dough

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Place the bottom layer of pie dough into your pie plate and prick with a fork several times along the bottom and sides. (I bought prepared pie dough to save time.)

Blend together the eggs, sugar, salt, corn syrup, and vanilla in a medium mixing bowl.

Arrange the pecans around the bottom of the pie pan. It’s okay to fill in with broken ones on the bottom layer because no one will see it.

Then pour the filling over the pecans. Next, arrange another layer of unbroken pecan over the filling.

Bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes. Then lower the heat to 350. Continue baking for 35 minutes.

This delicious pie earned compliments from all who ate it. The gooey filling with 2 layers of pecans had a nice nutty flavor. A slice of the sweet pie was my breakfast the next day.   

Let me know if you try it.

Enjoy!

Sources

Revised by Cunningham, Marion and Laber, Jeri. The Fannie Farmer Cookbook, Alfred A Knopf Inc., 1983.

Apple Pie Recipe

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by Sandra Merville Hart

I decided to change my apple pie recipe because I wanted to cook the apples ahead of baking. I used parts of my old familiar recipe and changed others—just in time to share at our family Thanksgiving meal! It was risky but everyone liked it.

Apple Pie

5-6 tart apples such as Granny Smith, peeled, cored, and cut into large slices (a generous 4 cups of apples)

4 tablespoons butter

1 cup sugar + 1 teaspoon sugar, divided

3 tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Prepared 2 crust pie dough

1 beaten egg

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Combine 1 cup sugar, flour, and cinnamon into a large mixing bowl and mix thoroughly. Add the sliced apples. Gently toss the apples into the sugary mixture until they are well-coated.

Melt the butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. When melted, add the apple mixture. Stir often as the apples cook. As the fruit cooks, it releases juices that thicken in the bottom of the pan. Cook until the apples begin to soften, about 10 – 12 minutes.

Pour the apple mixture into a bowl and allow to cool.

Place the bottom layer of pie dough into your pie plate and prick with a fork several times along the bottom and sides. (I bought prepared pie dough to save time.)

Pour cooled apples onto the prepared pie plate. Cover with the top layer of crust and fold it under the bottom layer. Using your thumbs, press the ends together to seal and to make a fluted edge.

Brush the top layer with the egg and sprinkle on about a teaspoon of sugar. Using a knife, make slits for the air to escape.

Bake 45- 50 minutes or until golden brown.

As I said, I took this to a family Thanksgiving meal and hoped for the best.

I needn’t have worried. The delicious pie was a hit. It was a little sweet, but not overly so. Six apples were the right amount of fruit. The filling was thick and didn’t spill out over the plate when slicing it.

Let me know if you try it.

Enjoy!

Blackberry Shrub Recipe

/ sandramervillehart

by Sandra Merville Hart

I write historical novels and it’s always fun to find a recipe for something that folks ate or drank in days gone by that most modern folks have never heard about. Blackberry shrub is one of those drinks.

The recipe in my 1877 cookbook is actually for raspberry shrub and was shared by Mrs. Judge West. My character in my newest release, A Not So Convenient Marriage, discovers that her husband enjoys blackberry shrub and makes it for him.

This recipe makes a concentrate that you add to a glass of ice-cold water. I added four tablespoons of the concentrate to a glass of water. I don’t advise drinking it without diluting it. 😊  

It’s amazingly quick and easy to prepare. Wipe up any spills immediately as the fruit may stain the counter.  

To make one pint of shrub concentrate:

Rinse 1 pint fresh blackberries and drain. Place drained fruit in a medium mixing bowl. Pour in 1 pint of apple cider vinegar and give it a gentle stir. Let it stand a few minutes.

With a slotted spoon, take the blackberries out of the vinegar and put them in a quart-sized Mason jar (or 2 pint-sized jars.) Then pour the vinegar (it will now have a purple tinge) over the fruit. Close the lid on the jars and let it stand overnight.

The next day, strain the fruit from the liquid and discard it.

Pour the liquid into a saucepan. Stir in 1 pint of sugar and boil on medium to medium high heat for 10 minutes.

The shrub will have the consistency of a light syrup. Pour it into a clean pint-sized Mason. Allow the concentrate to cool before putting on the lid.

Mrs. West doesn’t say to store it in a cool place, like a refrigerator, but I believe it tastes better cold. It should be good a few weeks.  

I added four tablespoons of the syrup to icy cold water. (You can add more to taste.) It’s a light flavor of blackberry with snappy taste from vinegar. I liked it as a variation from soft drinks and so did my husband. I also took it to a family movie night and they enjoyed the novelty of the drink.

I always try to make the recipe as the historical cook did. Next time, I’ll allow the fruit to steep inside the vinegar for three or four days to enhance the fruity flavor. I will also mash the fruit when making the syrup to enhance the blackberry flavor.

Enjoy!

Sources

Compiled from Original Recipes. Buckeye Cookery and Practical Housekeeping, Applewood Books, 1877.

Cheese Ball Recipe

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by Sandra Merville Hart

I remember when you often were served cheese balls at parties. It happens less often these days and it seems that appetizer foods run in cycles just like clothing fashions. 😊

I was asked to bring an appetizer to an author gathering and went over several possibilities before settling on a cheese ball. This is my sister’s recipe. My family still loves it when we go to her house for a party and see this appetizer on the counter.

Ingredients

2 8-ounce packages of cream cheese (rectangular blocks)

5-6 two-ounce packages of Buddig beef, divided

¼ cup finely chopped onion

2 dashes Worcestershire sauce

1 clove of garlic, minced (optional)

Club crackers (or your favorite crackers)

Take the cream cheese out of the fridge and let it set on the counter 20 to 30 minutes before beginning preparations so that it softens.

Chopped 3 packages of the beef and put it in a medium-sized mixing bowl.

In a separate larger bowl, place the cream cheese. Knead it a few seconds with your hands to soften it.

Add the beef, onion, and garlic (I didn’t add the optional garlic) to the cream cheese and mix together. I find it easier to mix the whole thing with my hands but perhaps that’s because my grandmother mixed everything with hers.

Form it into a ball and set it back in the bowl.

Chop up 2 packages of the remaining beef and place in the bowl previously used. Roll the cheese ball in the meat to cover. I had to use my hands to get the last bit in place.

If it’s not covered enough for your taste, chop up the final package of beef and add it to outside layer of the cheese ball.

Cover with plastic wrap, place in an air-tight container, and chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours or until ready to serve. I was traveling and made it four days in advance.

It lasted over a week and continued to taste delicious. It’s nice and meaty with the beef mixed on the inside as well as coated on the outside, making it a more filling snack.

My friends were excited to eat this appetizer and went back for more, complimenting me on its flavor. Leftovers made a quick and easy side for lunch.

Serve on a decorative dish with your favorite crackers. I chose club crackers for my guests because lots of folks tend to like them. Choose your favorite as a variation.

This is always a hit. Thanks B. for sharing your recipe with us!

Pakistan Casserole

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by Sandra Merville Hart

Another one of the dishes my husband makes that has become a comfort food to me is Pakistan Casserole. He got the recipe from a co-worker before we were married. It quickly became a go-to recipe for him because it’s easy to prepare.

I use long grain brown rice which takes about 45 minutes to cook. In my opinion, this enhances the flavor of the casserole. If you use minute rice, it will be much quicker. It’s your preference—and, let’s be honest, it probably depends on the amount of time you have to get the meal on the table. 😊

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Ingredients

1 lb. pork sausage (ground beef or ground turkey are nice substitutes)

3 cups cooked rice

1 can Cream of Chicken Soup

6 slices American cheese

¼ cup of shredded cheese

Prepare the rice per the package’s instructions.

Brown the sausage in a skillet, crumbling it as it cooks. Drain.

In a separate bowl, combine the cooked rice, sausage, and soup.

Select a large casserole dish (mine is 13×9) and spray it with cooking spray.

Spoon in about 2/3 of the mixture. Cover it with a layer of American cheese. Then put the remaining mixture on top.

Sprinkle about ¼ cup of shredded cheese (more if you prefer) over the top. Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese melts.  

The flavor of the sausage is toned down a bit by the other ingredients, making this a kid-friendly meal. It’s also filling. The adults in our family also enjoy this dish.

If you make this dish using minute rice, it can be out of the oven in about a half hour.

For variation, try substituting the sausage for ground beef or ground turkey. This will also make the dish less spicy for those who prefer milder flavors.