SC - message from the guardian of the rock

[dennis albertson]

> One of the sections we have called "Mysteries" since the
> recipe cards in Grandma's box only had a list of ingredients, no name,
> no directions.  Since most everyone is away at war, I thought I'd post
> these and see if the illustrious members of this group have any
> thoughts.
> 
> Mystery #1
> 2 c. flour
> 1 t. soda
> 1 t. salt
> 1/2 c. shortening
> 1 c. sugar
> 2 eggs
> 1 orange rind
> 1 c. raisins
> 
This falls somewhere between a Swedish recipe for Christmas cookies and a
Danish recipe for coffee cake.  I think it will produce a soft cookie.  In
any case, the general instructions would most likely be to cream the
shortening and the sugar.  Beat the two eggs, then stir them into the
mixture.  Sift the dry ingredients together and stir them into the mixture.
Depending on the texture of the dough, I would bake it in a greased brownie
pan or on baking sheets.  Try 350 F until they start to brown.


> Mystery #2
> 
> 1 c. milk
> 1/4 c. sugar
> 1/2 c. shortening
> 1/4 c. warm watter
> 1 pkg. dry yeast
> 2 slightly beaten eggs
> 3 1/2 to 4 c. flour
> 2 c. rolled oats
> butter
> 1 1/2 t. poppy seed
> Scald milk, stir in sugar, salt shortening.  Dissolve yeast in water,
> add luke warm milk mixture.  Beat in eggs & 1 c. flour, oats and enough
> flour to make soft dough.
> 
> Lady Clare Elena
> Principality of Oertha
> 
The beginning of this reads like a recipe for junk pastry, but junk pastry
would never use oats and needs a filling.  My impression is this is meant as
a dough for quick rolls with the dough being shaped and dropped on a baking
sheet and whisked into the oven before it had much time to rise.  I wonder
if there is enough liquid to properly soften the oats.  As a guess, the
butter is melted and used as a glaze to hold the poppy seeds on the crust.

These tempt me.  I'll give a more detailed report after I run some test
batches.

Bear
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