Mom

My mom taught me to cook, and I am pretty sure it was on purpose. Some of my earliest memories are of food. Making cinnamon toast, scrambling an egg, whatever. I know she had me doing this before I was 9 years old just by where we lived. As a preteen she would leave stuff out for me to make with the directions and expect me to have dinner made. Simple stuff like spaghetti, meatloaf, roast chicken. My dad even pretended he liked my tuna noodle casserole. That is what was made and that is what we ate. My cooking was edible fast.

These days when she teaches me it is a little different. She has gotten pretty good at some Indian curries and such and for my b-day I got a cookbook (with favorite ones marked) and a set of spices. This has widened my repertoire greatly.

Ya know- I am glad she took the time to teach me. I hope I have done that with my kids. And that they do it with theirs.

I have been home sick for a couple of days, almost better so I baked today. As I was thinking about baking I realized I for basic breads I never use a cookbook. Just a basic formula.

about 2 cups flour

between 1/3 - 1/2 fat, butter, oil, shortening

between 1/3 - 1 cup sugar

1 egg or 2 whites or 2 yolks, whatever

about 1 teaspoon salt

about 1 tablespoon baking powder

or 1/2 tablespoon baking soda (with yogurt, sour cream or buttermilk)

about 1 cup milk, yogurt, sour cream, buttermilk, etc.

1/2 to 1 cup fruit (banana, berries, or whatever strikes you)

nuts if you wish

Cream fat, sugar, egg. Stir in rest. º350 till done.

Even if I am always a little off on amount it is always good. Today was some leftover frozen bananas, Yoplait strawberry banana yogurt, and walnuts. First taste, yummy.

Don't be afraid to cook without a recipe.

Toaster Ovens

Last night I got to thinking that I should share some of my best hints for cooking well in a toaster oven. See the thing is for right now I am doing all of my cooking using two toaster ovens and a camp stove. Once my old Wedgewood stove is converted to propane I will be back in business. But ..... until then.... toaster oven are all I have. As I type this I am snacking on a spice cake with carmel frosting (Betty Crocker.)

Things that don't work-

Pie crust, they don't get flakey.

Pizza, not hot enough. Burns first since the element is too close.

Yeast bread, just doesn't. They never workout. Seems like they should work but I have yet had one work 100%.

Cookies, same as for pizza.

Roasts. Not perfect but will do.

Things that do work.

Quick breads, work great. I found that the ceramic mini baking pans that are sold during the holiday are perfect. And they were only 40¢ each after Christmas.

Carrot Cake, yummy.

Layer Cakes, so far so good.

Casseroles, I use a set of small stainless steel bowls for baking in.

Home made chicken nuggets.

Oven Fries, just O.K.

Temp. and time need to be adjusted. Mine both take longer but one has to be set hotter.