Thursday, June 8, 2017

Old Ways - NOW OLD RECIPES

We have talked about doing things the old fashioned way this week, keeping life simpler, and using many of our 'old' tools while working in the kitchen.
It seems to many that there are many of us that embrace the ways of our parents and grand parents.
We are here after all, so they didn't do too bad of a job!!!

I am going to list a few 'older' recipes from our family today.  I know others used these recipes as well, as my husband was familiar with them too.  I have enjoyed these recipes over my lifetime, and hope you do too.


WILTED LETTUCE
Approx. 1 1/2 quarts of fresh lettuce leaves
4 - 5 slices of bacon
3-4 green onions - chopped

Dressing or Topping
2 Tbsp. bacon drippings
2 Tbsp. vinegar
1 Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp. water

Fry you bacon and set aside (crumble).  Using 2 Tbsp. of bacon dripping, add chopped onion, vinegar, sugar, and water.  Simmer.
Place chopped lettuce in a bowl, cover with all the dressing and bacon crumbles.
Serve immediately.
ENJOY to the moon and back!!!!!!

This is a huge summertime favorite at our house!  Healthy - not totally - but yummy!



HOT GERMAN POTATO SALAD
5 bacon strips
3/4 C chopped onion
2 Tbsp. all purpose flour
2/3 C vinegar
1 1/3 C water
1/4 C sugar
1 tsp. salt
pepper to taste
6 C sliced or chunked cooked potatoes

In a large skillet, fry bacon till crisp.  Set aside
Drain all but 2-3 Tbsp. of drippings - cook onion until tender.
Stir in flour, blend well.  Add vinegar and water and heat till bubbly and thickened.  Add sugar and stir till dissolved.  Gently stir in crumbled bacon and potatoes.  Heat through.
Serve warm.  Makes 6-8 servings. (Not at our house!!!! - This is a main course when made here)

 
 


CRUMB TOPPING FOR CRISP
1 C flour
1 C brown sugar
1/2 C butter
Optional:  3/4 C oats or nuts  (I mix the two and add)

Pour over your thickened fruit base and bake at 375* for approx. 30 minutes.  Browned and crunchy.



OLD FASHIONED OATMEAL CAKE
Pour 1 1/4 C boiling water over 1 cup oats and let stand for 20 minutes
Add:
1 C white sugar
1 C brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/3 C flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon

Pour into a greased sheet cake pan (13 x 9) and bake at 350*, until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean.

TOPPING
1 C brown sugar
1 C coconut
1/2 C heavy cream
4 Tbsp. softened butter
Mix together and pour over cake.  Place under broiler until browned. (just a few minutes)

This was made by our Moms and Grandmas for years and years.
It is so rich and gooey and yummy.
**This is how the recipe I have is written down - watch the oven and broiler on your timing!



FRIED WATER CORNBREAD
1/2 C plain cornmeal (NOT self rising)
1/2 C hot water
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
Heat about 1/2" of oil.  Drop mixture by teaspoon into hot oil.  Press down center to flatten.  Once the edge appear to be browned - turn over and continue to fry till golden browned. Drain.
Top with butter when serving.
These are so good!!!!!  Simple but good.

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I hope these recipes bring back some memories for many of you and I hope that you get the opportunity to enjoy them.
These were all good eatin' at my house when I was growing up and they still are!

DO YOU have any tried and true old fashioned recipes that you enjoy?


"He who is not content with little, will never be content with much."
Old Amish Proverb

16 comments:

  1. Oh yum! Thanks for remindng me of wilted lettuce. Definitely going to make when I have more lettuce in the garden. The other recipes sound so good too.

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  2. They all sound delicious. I happen to love the old recipes the best. Fried cornbread is something I've heard about but never tried. I'll have to try it soon. Thanks for the recipe!

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  3. The first time I ever had a wilted lettuce salad was at my aunt's house in Ohio the summer that I stayed with them. I turned 17 that summer. I remember thinking it was the strangest thing but them I took a bite and was hooked!

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    1. It is addictive isn't it? It does look and sound odd - but oh sooooooo yummy.

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  4. Wilted lettuce signals the start of the fresh eating season in my home as lettuce is the first thing I harvest each year. I love it!

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    1. I am so glad there are so many who remember it and enjoy it. You are correct, that is about the first fresh item from our garden too.

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  5. Pikelets or scones are favourite old time recipes in this household. Pikelets are like small pancakes and were often made for us for an after school snack. Served with butter and jam, or for us Aussie kids, vegemite.
    I think you call scones, biscuits. These little mounds of warm cooked dough were also served with butter, jam, vegemite or peanut butter. These are often served in fancy teahouses or cafes with cream and jam.
    Both are simply made with flour, butter and milk. I also put an egg into the pikelet batter and some sugar. Old recipes that are cheap, easy and filling.

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  6. Jane that sounds so good. I just love how we from different countries have different names for things. I think anything served warm with butter and jam would be tasty!!!!!
    I have to look up vegemite. I have heard of it for years - I just don't know exactly what it is.
    I love older recipes. Our ancestors had to conserve money - so many old recipes are very frugal.

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  7. Thanks for the oatmeal cake recipe. It's one of hubby's favorites, a cousin makes it. I haven't ever tried making it but this looks very easy!

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    1. Laurie it is easy. It is one of G's favorites from childhood (and mine).
      ENJOY

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  8. My Dad use to like heavy cakes and I imagine the oatmeal one would be. I should make one! The crumb topping would be nice made up in packets without the butter all set to make now that the berry season is upon us. Nancy

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    1. It is a very moist and gooey cake. It is wonderful. Good idea.

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  9. My mother used to make the wilted lettuce salad. She loved it. It never appealed to me as a kid so I never ate it Thanks for the recipe - I will give it a try and think of her while I'm enjoying it.

    Debra

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    1. Debra - I wouldn't eat it as a child either. I love it now.
      There are so many things that I "didn't like" as a kid - but watch out now!
      I truly hope you enjoy it!!!!

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