Cheddar-Jalapeno Cornbread

1 cup yellow cornmeal, stoneground if possible½ cup all-purpose flour½ teaspoons baking powder¼ teaspoon salt1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 3 ounces)¾ teaspoon baking soda1 fresh or pickled jalapeno, seeded and minced (wear rubber gloves while doing this)2 large eggs1 cup buttermilk½ stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature In a bowl,… Continue reading Cheddar-Jalapeno Cornbread

Oatmeal Pancakes (Laurel’s Kitchen)

1 1/8 cups milk1 cup rolled oats2 tablespoons oil2 eggs, beaten½ cup whole-wheat flour1 tablespoon brown sugar1 teaspoon baking powder¼ teaspoon salt Combine milk and rolled oats in a bowl and let them stand at least 5 min. Add the oil and beaten eggs, mixing well. Then stir in the flour, sugar, salt, and baking… Continue reading Oatmeal Pancakes (Laurel’s Kitchen)

Irish Soda Bread (The Vegetarian Epicure)

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus additional for sprinkling1 cup whole-wheat flour½ cup sugar2 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoon salt¼ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into bits1 cup raisins2 teaspoons caraway seeds1 ½ cups buttermilk or plain yogurtmilk for brushing the bread before baking Preheat oven to 350° and butter a 1 ½ quart round baking… Continue reading Irish Soda Bread (The Vegetarian Epicure)

Susan’s Buttermilk Dumplings

1 ½ tablespoons Criscoor2 tablespoons butter2 cups flour (a soft wheat flour like White Lily brand)1 ½ teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon baking soda¾ teaspoon salt1 cup buttermilk Sift together the dry ingredients. Add the Crisco or butter, and using two knives, cut the fat into the dry ingredients until all resembles coarse meal. Gently add… Continue reading Susan’s Buttermilk Dumplings

Honey Bear Bread

When I was a teenager, I became interested in knowing how to bake bread, having only eaten commercial bread from the supermarket. My mother had a 1960s “Amy Vanderbilt Cookbook” which had a lot of bread recipes, so I looked into that. I started with a recipe for white bread, not expecting anything that smelled… Continue reading Honey Bear Bread

Pepped-Up Potato Salad

½ teaspoons mustard seeds1 teaspoon celery seeds3 tablespoons cider vinegar2 pounds potatoes½ teaspoon salt½ cup finely chopped scallions, plus additional for garnish3 hard-boiled eggs, peeled¼ cup mayonnaise 1. In a small bowl combine mustard seed, celery seed, and vinegar, and set aside for several hours or overnight. 2. In a kettle, combine potatoes with enough… Continue reading Pepped-Up Potato Salad

Green Beans with Bacon and Walnuts

12 ounces thin, fresh green beans, trimmed1 small red bell pepper, cut in strips2 slices bacon¼ cup chopped walnuts2 cloves garlic, minced1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper¼ teaspoon salt 1. In a large saucepan, cook green beans with the red bell pepper in enough boiling water to cover, for 3 min. Drain and set aside. 2.… Continue reading Green Beans with Bacon and Walnuts