Panettone

Mom has really wanted me to make Panettone. I haven't made it in about five years. I think about it and then make coffeecakes for Christmas morning. That's because Mom isn't here at Christmas as she is a snowbird of sorts. Since she is helping with my pies I am making her panettone.

MY PANETTONE RECIPE

(adapted from the Hitachi bread machine book)

1cup water

1tsp salt

3cups bread flour

1 stick butter

4tablespoons sugar

3tablespoons dry milk

4 tablespoons candied fruit

1/4 cup raisins(I like golden raisins here)

1teaspoon vanilla

2tsp instant yeast (red SAF preferable)

egg wash for the tops

I mix this in my bread machine through the first rise. I then take it out and shape it into three large or 6 small loaves. To get the traditional round shape I use baking flower pots.  I have these in two sizes.

Let's do a replay on the sizes..... because this is what happened to the three larger ones

These odd looking giant mushrooms tasted fine but what a mess to look at. I then decided that I must use all four of my big pots. So after a few hours I tried again!

Guess what is under the cloth?   Of course.......

SUCCESS!  These look more like the Pope's hats they are suppose to resemble!  And still delicious...

Pies,Pies,Pies

This week Mom and I will make pies.
 I am not having Thanksgiving at my sister's , that will mean we will make pies for her house and for mine.

We made two pumpkin,two pecan two shells for chocolate cream. and one mince.  I will make an apple pie in the morning and she will make two on Friday.  Thanksgiving is all about the pies in my family.
Ask me sometime about the time  I fell asleep while babysitting the dog and the pies......

Late fall

Earlier I was so happy that it was Fall. This year we had a great spring and summer but fall was nice too.

That was early fall......
Then we come to those long nights and chills of late fall. that is when I think we should skip this season!

Making Mincemeat with Mom and more jars........

Last week I was doing wash for my Mom when I spotted her canning jars and found a few pint jars that I wanted (see Mason Jar post)  This week I got a call from my Mom asking if I think we could make Mincemeat.
I said sure not really knowing what this meant since my try at mincemeat last year was with the Crockpot and

I didn't chop the meat fine enough.  I knew she was thinking about her way and it has been at least ten years since she had made any even though she would deny this....
Recently I have been reading posts from young mothers cooking with their kids. Guess what it really never ends. Mom had her  shoulder operated on a couple of months back so really couldn't use the old grinder(ahem the grinder is dated 1898)  but she got me right into it!

First we ground the cooked beef and then about three pounds of apples.....Sticky........
then added the sugar,syrup, candied fruit, spices and let it boil and boil. Savoring the thought of Christmas tarts.  I am about the only one I know who loves mincemeat.

Not a Cookbook...but

   THIS AINT NO COOKIN BOOK  by    Paula Deen  I devoured this book this weekend.
 I probably would not have bought this, but found it in Building 19  on Thursday and  it intrigued me. Since I have been thinking about this cookbook and non cookbook cookbook post.  Well  it is a quick read and absolutely wonderful memoir of a fascinating woman. I laughed and cried all the way through this book.  She really did turn her fears into her dreams. Earlier this summer I read a fiction book BY BREAD ALONE, a tale of  one womans learning to cope with her life it is also linked to cooking specifically French sourdough bread.
Hmmm what would your book-cookbook be.....

Cookbooks and Cooking Books

About a year ago I started reading some of the many mysteries and other stories that include food or recipes in their story. Yeah, about the time I started blogging and reading blogs. I'm not surprised as I have always enjoyed reading cookbooks. I got my first cookbook at the beginning of my being in 4H, or about ten years old. I was to get a cookbook each year after this. These were all the single topic Betty crocker cookbooks. Still on my shelf and very worn.......

Getting out these books again has me wanting Scalloped Potatoes even more.....

Hmm that is a recipe I have remastered  millions of ways.  Tonight's scalloped potatoes

          Scallop Potatoes with chives

serves 4

four small or two large potatoes(PEI or Maine )

1 small onion diced

4-6 Tbs butter

1C milk (I used 2%)

2Tbs flour

salt and pepper

2Tbs dried chives

(fresh would be nice but we are not going to see those before spring:( )

Peel potatoes and slice very thin

Layer potatoes, onion, flour, seasonings

in a small casserole dish  dot with butter

Pour milk over the top and bake for 30 min. at 350

first layer

MASON JARS.......

These jars were salvaged from my Mom's collection.  The new fancy covers sold in many dept stores add a decorative touch. I had 4 quart jars that were given to me as present many years ago. (I kinda thought it funny as  I grew up with canning jars everywhere!)   I had never looked at the markings on the glass and  when  I went to find these jars spent time trying to find four that are completely different.