Mrs. Knott's Buttermilk Biscuits

Folks-

A couple of summers ago my family went to Disneyland for a week-long trip, driving down Highway 101 past Santa Barbara and Solvang. One of the highlights of the trip was the one day we spent at Knott’s Berry Farm. I actually hadn’t been there since I had been a fairly small child, and had almost completely forgotten what it was like. To my adult tastes, it feels like it needs a bit of an update, but it does a good job of being friendly to smaller children while retaining a rustic charm for adults. Before we left for the day, we wanted to try some of the famous Mrs. Knott’s fried chicken. I remember that when we went there when I was a child, we skipped that part because the restaurant was so crowded. We found the same thing happened the day I went there as an adult, but they had a small to-go storefront next to the sit-down restaurant that we were able to get a bucket of chicken from, as well as biscuits and other sides. We took it back to our hotel room and found out that all of it was fantastic—better than KFC! The biscuits were light and flavorful, and the chicken was wonderful!

After that, I was disappointed that I couldn’t get the Mrs. Knott’s food in my area (they haven’t franchised, even though I think that it would work well as one.) So I started looking for a biscuit recipe to help compensate. I found this one at Meemo’s Kitchen (http://meemoskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/09/mrs-knotts-buttermilk-biscuits.html) and have used it several times. While I tend not to like homemade biscuits nearly as much as baking mix biscuits, these are an exception. They have a lot of flavor, and are light and fluffy. I, of course, modified the recipe a little bit (500 degrees F? That’ll cause my oven to start self-cleaning!) My next test of the recipe is going to involve using dried buttermilk instead of liquid. I’ll let you know how that works!

Enjoy!

2 Cups Flour

1/8 Teaspoon Baking Soda

2 Tablespoons Baking Powder

½ Teaspoon Salt

1 Cup plus 2 Teaspoons Buttermilk

1 Teaspoon Shortening

½ Cup Oil

Mix together flour, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl. Cut in shortening. Add soda to buttermilk, then blend into the flour mixture. Roll out dough on a generously floured surface until ¼ inch thick. Cut out with a 2 inch biscuit cutter. Dip biscuits into cooking oil to cover all sides and place immediately on an oiled baking sheet with all biscuits touching. Bake at 400 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until nicely browned.

Fruit Salads

Folks-
Here's another couple of Zap 190 recipes from my mom (Eleanor Perl.) Both are fruit salads, so it seemed to make sense to put them together. The first is my mom's Waldorf Salad, and the second is her Dodie Salad, named after a co-worker of mine at Pacific Western Bank back in the late '80's.

Waldorf Salad:

Ingredients:
3 Apples, peeled, cored, and diced
2 Medium Bananas, sliced
1 Cup Diced Pineapple
1/4 Cup Chopped Walnuts
1/4 Cup Small Marshmallows (optional)
1/4 Cup Mayonnaise
1/4 Cup Milk
2 Tablespoons Sugar

Toss fruits, walnuts, and marshmallows together in a large bowl. In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, milk, and sugar. Use the mayonnaise mixture as a salad dressing over the fruit.

Dodie Salad

Ingredients:
3 Apples, peeled, cored, and diced
2 Kiwi Fruit, peeled and sliced
2 Cups Grapes
2-3 Bananas, peeled and sliced
1/2 Cup Diced Pineapple
1 Starfruit, peeled, sliced, and de-seeded (optional)
(Any other fruit you may think of)
1 Pint Non-fat Yogurt
1/4 Teaspoon Coconut Flavoring
1/4 Cup Shredded Coconut
3 Tablespoons Sugar

Toss together all of the fruit excepting the Kiwi or Starfruit slices. In a separate small bowl, mix together the yogurt, coconut, coconut flavoring, and sugar into a dressing. Pour the dressing over the tossed fruit, and use the Kiwi and/or Starfruit slices to decorate the top of the salad.

"Just Like Starbucks" Vanilla Scones

Folks-
I've been experimenting with this recipe for a couple of weeks now since I first found it online until my kids firmly approve of the results. I now think that I can publish it without embarrassment. I found it online at 5forks.com, and one other place, but I like the 5forks version more. When I've made them, they come out a bit moister than the Vanilla Bean Mini Scones they sell at Starbucks. As you know by now, I like modifying the recipes I post here. I have made this one using both the Vanilla Extract called for in the recipe, as well as the Vanilla Sugar I taught you how to make in an earlier post. I prefer using the Vanilla Sugar in this recipe. Also, I have found that there is very little difference in flavor using salted butter instead of unsalted butter.
So, tested in Edly's kitchen, here is the 5forks version of the "Just Like Starbucks" Vanilla Scones (with my slight modifications, as usual):

Ingredients:
Scones:
2 Cups all purpose flour
2 Teaspoons baking powder
1/2 Teaspoon baking soda
1/2 Teaspoon salt
1/2 Cup sugar
5 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
1 Cup of full-fat sour cream
1 Large egg yolk
2 Teaspoons vanilla extract (or 2 Teaspoons vanilla sugar replacing 2 teaspoons regular sugar.)

Glaze:
1 1/2 Cups powdered sugar
1/4 Teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 Teaspoon salt
Milk as needed

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Whisk together dry ingredients. Using any method you prefer, cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients until the flour resembles coarse meal (I would recommend using a food processor if you have one, otherwise make sure the butter is cut into very small pieces.) In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream, egg yolk, and, if you are using it, the vanilla extract, until blended. Add this mixture to the flour-butter mixture and stir with a fork until the dough forms a cohesive ball. Use a spatula to get the dry bits fully integrated. (It may not seem like there is enough liquid at first, but the dough will eventually come together.) Split the dough into two equally sized balls and pat them into disks about 1 inch in height, and cut each disk into 8 equal triangular pieces. Place the pieces onto ungreased baking sheets about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown on top. While the scones are baking, prepare the glaze by putting the sugar into a separate bowl, then adding the vanilla extract and milk one teaspoon at a time while stirring with a fork. Once the glaze has become slightly runny, it is ready. When the scones are done, take them out of the oven and immediately spread the glaze over them using a pastry brush. This will give the glaze a more even and shinier coating than just drizzling.

Chocolate Coated Peanut Butter Candies

Folks-
This is a variation of an old recipe I found in a Betty Crocker's Cookbook. I first tried the recipe when someone else gave me one of these, and I loved them! This is really using their changes from the original recipe. Unfortunately, I don't remember just who it was, except to say that they worked with my mom at Live Oak Elementary School.
Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:
1 1/4 Cups Creamy Peanut Butter
1/2 Cup Margarine or Butter, Softened
4 Cups Honey Graham Cereal, Crushed into Coarse Crumbs (a food processor works well for this)
2 Cups Powdered Sugar
1 Tablespoon Shortening
1 Cup Chocolate Chips

Mix peanut butter and butter or margarine in a large bowl; stir in cereal crumbs. Mix in powdered sugar, 1/3 at a time. Press mixture into a melon baller and drop onto an aluminum foil lined cookie sheet, or similar surface. Mix the chocolate chips and shortening in a small bowl and melt in a microwave, stirring the mixture every 20 seconds or so. Dip the candy balls one at a time into the melted chocolate, fishing them out with a fork and replacing them on the aluminum foil lined sheet. Refrigerate for about 10 minutes or until the coating is hardened.

-Edly

Jam "Tarts"

Folks-
This good recipe is from an old friend of mine, Siobhan Spencer. These "Tarts" are much more like a shortbread muffin with a jam center, but I'll use her term for them.

Here's the recipe!

[UPDATED 7/14/2023: Added nutrition facts, reduced jam to 1/2 teaspoon jam each tart.]

Jam Tarts

Ingredients:
1/2 C Shortening
3/4 C Sugar
2 Eggs
2 C Flour
1/4 t Salt
2 t Baking Powder
Jam

Cream shortening and sugar. Mix in eggs. Mix in dry ingredients. Divide the dough into about 12 equal parts, form into balls and place into muffin tins. So not flatten the tops or the top edge will tend to burn. Press a thumbprint halfway into each ball and fill with about 1/2 teaspoon of jam. Bake for 10-15 minutes in a preheated oven at 350 degrees.

Nutrition Facts: Servings: 12. Serving size: 1 tart. Calories: 222 Total fat: 9.5g (12% DV) Saturated fat: 2.9g (14% DV) Cholesterol: 27mg (9% DV) Sodium: 62mg (3% DV) Total carbohydrates: 32g (12% DV) Dietary fiber: 0.6g (2% DV) Total sugars: 12.6g Protein: 3.1g Vitamin D: 3mcg (13% DV) Calcium: 43mg (3% DV) Iron 1mg (7% DV) Potassium: 116mg (2% DV)

Seafood Chowder

Folks-
This is another "Zap 190 Cookbook" recipe. This one came from my sister, Tammy Barbre. This one is distinct from the Clam Chowder recipe I posted some time ago, so don't confuse the two!

Ingredients:
1 Can Morton's Clam Chowder (for base)
3 Cups Milk or Half and Half
1/2 lb Prawns, any size
1/4 lb small Scallops (optional)
1/2 lb boneless Chicken breast, cut into 1/2" pieces
1/4 lb Ling Cod or Snapper
1 Cup chopped Potatoes
Splash of Soy Sauce
1/4 Cup dried green onions

Saute each of the meats and the potatoes separately, then put the clam chowder, milk, and potatoes in a large pot. Cook on medium heat for a few minutes, then switch to low heat and add all other ingredients. Cook 15 minutes on low heat. Serve with pepper and green onion sprinkled on top.

15 Bean Soup

Folks-
Time for another ZAP 190 Cookbook recipe. This time it's from my mom's assistant at Live Oak School back in the day. With no further ado, here's Sheril Gomes's 15 Bean Soup Recipe.

Ingredients:
1- 20 oz bag 15 Bean Soup Mix
2 T Salt
Chopped Ham, Ham Hocks, or 1 Ring Smoked Sausage
1 Large Chopped Onion
1 Large Can Tomatoes
1 Red Pepper or 1 t chili powder
Juice of 1 Lemon
1 Clove Minced Garlic

Directions: Wash beans thoroughly. Place beans in a kettle, cover with water and add salt. Soak overnight. On the following morning, drain and add 2 quarts water. Add ham or sausage. Bring to a boil and simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Add other ingredients and salt and pepper to taste and simmer for another 30 minutes.

Easy Ice Cream

Folks-
I made this for the first time today, varying the recipe that I found on a British website. I found following their directions exactly caused the ice cream base to be much too sweet (probably due to differences in measurements.)
You do need an ice cream freezer to make this.

Ingredients:
1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 1/2 Cups Milk
1/2 Cup Whipping Cream
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/4 Teaspoon Salt (added 6/16/2011)
Optional (for Chocolate): 4 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

Mix all ingredients together and put into the ice cream freezer and freeze according to directions.
*Edited 6/16/2011: When making this tonight I put in about a quarter teaspoon salt and this improved the flavor. This may now be the best ice cream recipe I've ever tried. At least that's what my kids say!

Broccoli Soup via Zap 190 Cookbook

Folks-
I know you're thinking: What, two posts in as many days? Yep. I noticed I had a couple of recipes from my old "Zap 190 Cookbook" that I had transcribed, but not posted. In case I haven't mentioned it yet, Zap 190 was our interoffice mail address at the old Pacific Western Bank Proof Department where I worked in the late '80's and into the late '90's. My friends, family, and co-workers, as well as those of my mom at Live Oak Elementary School, and one of my dad's at the Pajaro District of the State Department of Parks and Recreation submitted recipes for the thing. I'll be posting them on this site over time, and I'll be sure to give credit where it's due.

This recipe comes from my sister. I haven't tried making it myself, but I do remember it being tasty.

Broccoli Soup- Jocelyn Swenson
Ingredients:
3 Fresh Broccoli Crowns, Chopped
1 Large Onion
1 Cup Chopped Mushrooms
2 Celery Stalks, chopped
2 Cans Cream of Celery Soup
1 Cube Butter
1/2 lb Bacon, cooked and crumbled (Optional)
4-8 Cups Milk

Directions: Mix broccoli, onion, mushrooms, celery and butter in a large saucepan and simmer until vegetables are soft (add water if necessary.) In a large pot, mix together soup and milk. Boil to desired thickness. Mix vegetables in with soup and top with crumbled bacon.

Tyler's Ultimate Barbecue Sauce

Folks-
The best barbecue sauce I have ever had was one I made from a recipe I got on Food Network once. That's a TV network I seldom watch, because it makes me want to cook like mad, and that can be an issue. I ran across Tyler's Ultimate one day, and thought the barbecue sauce recipe looked good enough to have me sit in front of the TV with a notepad and the remote for about an hour, reverse engineering the recipe from what he was doing on the TV (since when does a "dash" equal a small bucket of something?)

Since I first worked this recipe out a couple of years ago, I've found alternate ingredients for some of those in his recipe. I'm including both his basic recipe, as well as the alternates in the ingredient listing below. Enjoy!

Tyler's Ultimate Barbecue Sauce (with alternate ingredients tested by Ed)

2 Strips of smoked bacon or 1/8 teaspoon liquid smoke
Large sprig of fresh Thyme or 1 tablespoon dry
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1/2 Large Onion or 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
2-3 Cloves Garlic- Crushed and skinned or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 Cups Ketchup
1/4 Cup Fruit Preserves (Peach, Apricot, or Raspberry have tested well)
1/4 Cup Dijon Mustard
1 teaspoon Paprika
1 teaspoon Cumin
2 Tablespoons Red Wine or Basalmic Vinegar
1/4 Cup Molasses
1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1/4 teaspoon Salt
Ground pepper to taste

Wrap bacon around fresh thyme and simmer in olive oil. Add other ingredients and simmer 20 minutes.

Classic Cheesecake

Folks-
Here is my variation of the Classic New York Cheesecake recipe I found at Food Network's website. This is just a little bit easier than the method Food Network suggests but comes out just as good. (Baking in a water bath? Really?) Also, this version of the recipe makes use of the Vanilla Sugar I taught you how to make a few months ago (glad you were paying attention now, aren't you?)

Ingredients:

Crust:
6 Tablespoons Butter (Unsalted Optional)
1 1/2 Cups Graham Cracker crumbs
2 Tablespoons Sugar
Pinch of salt (no, really, a pinch)

Filling:
2 Pounds Cream Cheese at room temperature (about 4 packages)
1 1/4 Cups Sugar
3/4 Cups Sour Cream
6 large eggs
1 Tablespoon Vanilla Sugar
About 1 Teaspoon Lemon Zest, finely ground (about 1 lemon)

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Melt the butter. Brush a 9 inch springform pan with some of the butter. Stir the remaining butter into the Graham Cracker Crumbs, Sugar, and Salt and press into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes and cool.

While the crust is cooling, beat the cream cheese on medium speed in a good stand mixer until smooth. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy, scraping the sides of the bowl and the beaters as necessary. Slowly beat in the sour cream and eggs one at a time, the vanilla sugar and the lemon zest. Do not whip the mixture. Pour into the cooled crust. Bake the cheesecake for 1 hour, 10 minutes, then turn off the oven and allow the cheesecake to continue to cook in the cooling oven for another hour. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and run a knife around the edge and allow to cool to room temperature. Cover the cheesecake and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.

Ed's Coffee Spices

Folks-
For years I've been adding this combination of spices to coffee grounds before brewing. I find that they turn a rather average coffee into something special. You only need about 1 t for a full pot of drip coffee. I personally use one of the cheaper name brands of coffee with this spice blend, whatever is on sale at the supermarket. Here's the recipe!

2 Parts Ground Cinnamon
1 Part Ground Nutmeg
1 Part "Other Ground Spice" (Cardamon, Allspice, Nutmeg, Ginger have all tested well.)

That's it! For one or two cups of coffee, I just put it in a shaker and shake it over the grounds a couple of times. For a full pot I use from 1 t to 1 T and add it straight to the grounds.

Enjoy!

-Edly

It Aint Just for Kids

Folks-
One of my kids favorite sandwiches--actually most kids favorite--is the simple Grilled Cheese. I discovered a while ago that you can turn this simple favorite into a more adult meal through just a couple of simple additions.

My version of the Grilled Cheese for Adults is to use whatever hard cheese is available (usually a cheddar, Jack, or mozzarella), using two slices (or a small handfull of the cheese if grated) and before grilling it, I add thin sliced onion and tomato slices.

Give it a try next time you want a hot sandwich at home at lunchtime!

-Edly