Marjoram

May be used both dry or green.  Used to flavor fish, poultry, omelets, lamb, stew, stuffing and tomato juice.

Mint

Leaves are aromatic with a cool flavor.  Excellent in beverages, fish, cheese, lamb, soup, peas, carrots. and fruit desserts.

Oregano

Strong aromatic odor.  Use whole or ground to spice tomato juice, fish, eggs,pizza, omelets, chili, stew, gravy, poultry and vegetables.

Paprika

A bright red pepper.  This spice is used in meat, vegetables and soups.  Can be used as a garnish for potatoes, salads or eggs.

Parsley

Best when used fresh but can be used dry.  Use as garnish or seasoning.  Try in fish, omelets, soup, meat, stuffing and mixed greens.

Rosemary

Very aromatic, used fresh or dried.  Season fish, stuffing, beef, lamb, poultry, onions, eggs and bread.

Saffron

Orange yellow in color, this spice is used to flavor or color foods.  Use in soup, chicken, rice and   fancy breads.

Sage

Use fresh or dried.  The flowers are sometimes used in salads.  May be used in tomato juice, fish, fondue, omelets, beef, poultry, stuffing, cheese spreads, cornbread and biscuits.

Tarragon

Leaves have a pungent, hot taste.  Use to flavor sauces, salads, meat, poultry, tomatoes and dressings.

There you have it.  A few more herbs and spices to get acquainted with.  Try them often and enjoy the new flavors in your life!!!

gogi

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Basil 

Sweet warm flavor with an aromatic odor, used whole or ground.  Good with lamb, fish, roast, stews, ground beef, vegetables, dressing and omelets.

Bay leaves

A pungent  flavor , use whole leaf but remove fefore serving.  Good in vegetable dishes, fish and seafood, stew and pickles.

Caraway

Has a spicy smell and aromatic taste.  Use in cakes, breads, soups, cheese and sauerkraut.

Chives

Sweet mild flavor of onion, this herb is excellent in salads, fish, soups and potatoes.

Curry Powder

A number of spices combined to proper proportions to give a distinct flavor to such dishes as meat, poultry, fish and vegetables.

Dill

Both seeds and leaves of dill are flavorful.  Leaves may be used to garnish or cook with fish, soup, dressings, potatoes and beans.  Leaves of the whole plant may be used to spice dill pickles.  

Fennel

Both seeds and leaves are used.  It has a sweet hot flavor.  Use in small quantities in pies and baked goods.  Leaves can be boiled with fish.

Ginger

A pungent root, this aromatic spice is sold fresh, fried, or gound.  Used in pickles, preserves, cakes, cookies, soups and meat dishes.

Try to become more acquainted with the herbs and spices available.  They really do enhance your cooking and baking. 

More info on herbs and spices later.

gogi

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HOW TO STORE FLOUR;

Store in airtight container in cool, dry place for 15 months.  Any longer than that, wrap in plastic bag and refrigerate or freeze.  Bring to room temperature before using.

HOW TO measure FLOUR;

Spoon flour into standard dry ingredient measuring cup and then level with a knife or spatula.

HOW TO SUBSTITUTE FLOUR;

Unbleached all purpose flour can be used in recipes calling for self-rising flour.  For each cup of flour in the recipe, add 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

NUMBER OF CUPS PER POUND;

3 1/3 cups per pound

17 1/2 cups per 5 pounds

Gogi

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Take note of this easy shortcake.  Use strawberries, peaches, berries or anything you would like on this.  It is quick and easy!!!

2 i/2 cups of biscuit mix

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter melted

4 cups of fruit at least

Preheat oven to 425 degrees

Combine all ingredients.

Put into 8" round or square pan ungreased.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes.

Cool  and cut into squares.

You might even want to add a little whipped cream or ice cream to this old fashioned shortcake.

Enjoy,

gogi

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This is a great recipe when you are pressed for time.  I was visiting a friend and a friend of hers stopped by with this delightful cake.  Needless to say this was a real treat.  Thanks Mary Maskell, we certainly enjoyed giving this cake the taste test.  It was wonderful surprise that morning!!!!

2 1/4 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1 tsp. grated lemon peel

1 cup margarine (do not use spread)

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 cup sour cream

3 large eggs

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.  Blend at low speed.  Then beat at medium speed for 3 minutes.  Pour batter into greased and floured 10 inch tube pan.  Bake at 325 degrees for 60-70 minutes or until cake springs back when touched.  Cool cake for 15 minutes and remove from pan.

Lemon glaze:  Mix together and drizzle on cake 1 cup powdered sugar and 1 to 2 tsp. lemon juice.

Enjoy,

gogi

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1 1/2 cups flour

3 packets instant oatmeal

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking powder        

Mix together above ingridents

1 cup butter

Cut the butter into flour mixture.

2 T. water

1 pkg. dry frosting mix (Buttercream, English Toffee, or Brown Sugar frosting mix)

Mix above into flour/butter mixture

Glaze:

2 T. butter softened

3 T. warm water

2 bars English toffee candy crushed*

Press dough onto lightly greased cookie sheet into 2 -14 x 6 rectangles about 1/4 inches thick.  Bake 350 for 10 to 12 mintues.

Spread glaze on hot cookies.  Run spatula carefully under cookie  to loosen.  Cool and break into pieces like peanut brittle.

This is a real new and different cookie for a coffee bread.  Gives you something to bite into.

*You can buy toffee chips in a package like chocolate chips come in- in the same department as chips are found in most stores.

Enjoy

gogi

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Do you have errands to run and have to be gone for a few hours?  How about getting dessert started before you leave? 

1 chocolate cake mix

1 box instant pudding mix

4 eggs

1 pint of sour cream

3/4 cup oil

1 cup water

6 oz. chocolate chips

Mix and pour into  crockpot on low.  cook for 6-8 hrs.  Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.  DELICIOUS!!!

Now if you really want to make it easy on yourself, tear or chop up some lettuce and add leftovers from the frig.  This could be ham, chicken, tuna, carrots, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, green onions, grated cheese, chopped bacon, mushrooms, you name it.  That could be your main course with your choice of dressing.  Now you have dessert and your main course ready to serve. Just pop it into the frig until you get home.

Be stress free and enjoy!

gogi

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Here is a quick bread for breakfast or a brunch.

3 cups baking mix

1/3 cup sugar

3 eggs

3 T. grated orange peel

3/4 cup orange juice (fresh or frozen)

3/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Orange glaze:

Makes one loaf 9×5x3- preheat oven 350 degrees

Mix baking mix, sugar, eggs, orange peel and orange juice and beat 1/2 minute on slow speed.  Beat another 2 1/2 minutes on medium.  Stir in nuts and bake for 55 to 60 minutes.

Orange glaze: Mix 1 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 cup butter or margarine melted, 1 T. grated orange peel, 1 T. orange juice.  Mix thoroughly…  If needed add more juice.

Try this some morning with a great cup of your favorite coffee!

gogi

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Here is an excellent recipe to fix for 4-24 hours ahead.  After you finished preparing the dish, cover and put in the refrigerator.

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter melted

3 tsp. cinnamon (equals 1 T.)

1 cup chopped apples

1/2 cup cranraisins ( or raisins or dried cranberries)

1 loaf of French bread sliced

6 large eggs

1 1/2 cups milk

1 T. vanilla

Combine brown sugar, butter and 1 tsp. cinnamon .  Put in 13 x 9 baking dish .   Add apples and cranberries,raisins, or cranraisins.  Stir to coat.  Spread evenly over bottom and arrange bread on top. 

Mix eggs, milk, vanilla and remaining 2 tsp. of cinnamon until well blended.  Pour over bread soaking completely.  Cover and refreigerate.*

Cover and bake at 375 degrees  for 40 minutes.  Uncover and bake 5 minute more.  Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. 

*Don’t put a glass baking dish directly from the refriegerator into the hot preheated oven.   It is best to let it set on the cabinet for a while so the temperature of the dish rises and the shock of putting it into the oven will not crack the baking dish.

Serve with syrup, whipped cream or whatever else suits your fancy! While you are baking the french toast, you can be preparing the rest of the menu.  This is a great brunch recipe.  You can add fresh fruit, bacon, coffee,  juice,  and you have a complete brunch in a jiffy.  Simple but scrumptuous.

Invite some friends over!!

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Combine 1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cuup brown ssugar

2 unbeaten eggs

Sift together

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

Add to creamed mixture above.

Then add to that mixture

1 cup coconut

1 cup oats

i tsp. vanilla

Drop from a spoon onto a greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

This is  a really quick and inexpensive recipe to make.  You can add raisins, nuts, cranraisins, or any other cut up dried fruits or just leave it plain.

LIKE I ALWAYS SAY- BE CREATIVE!!!

Gogi

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