Fried Dough

The smell of the Florida State Fair is what came to mind when I found this recipe. My grandmother used to make a pastry similar to the fried dough at the fair, although it was more like bite sized pieces.

Ingredients:

8 eggs
1 cup sugar1 tsp. salt1 pint milk, warm1 stick butter soft4 cups flour
2 packages yeast

Directions:

Pour yeast in 1 cup warm milk
and 1 tablespoon of sugar, stir.

Sift together flour, salt, and
sugar and make a well in mixture.

Add eggs and milk a little at a time.

Add butter.

Stir well.

Mix thorough and place dough in large greased bowl.

Cover and let rise for about 11/2 to 2 hours.

When dough rises and appears light in texture,
cut off some of the dough and stretch it with your hands.

Drop into hot fat and fry until golden brown.

Add anything you would like to the fried dough,
such as powdered sugar, cinnamon and sugar.

This recipe was given to me by a friend - origin unknown

Boiled Lobster

I'll never forget the first time I had my first broiled lobster.  It was one of my first dates . . . he ordered lobster and I thought I would order the same thing.

When the waiter presented us with our meal, he also handed us nut crackers and bibs.  I didn't have the slightest idea what to do with this whole lobster sitting in front of me.

So I watched my date eat his lobster and tried to do what he did.  I made such a mess!

Needless to say, I never ordered a lobster at a restaurant again, but I do love to make a mess with a lobster in the comfort of my home.

The recipe comes from my personal collection.

Ingredients:

3 gallons water
2 large onions, quartered
10 cloves garlic, peeled and cut in half
2 lemons, quartered
2 oranges, quartered
5 stalks celery, quartered
4 tablespoons black pepper
4 tablespoons seasoned salt
6 fresh jalapeno peppers
2 fresh live lobsters


Directions:

Pour the water into a large pot and add the onions,
garlic, lemons, oranges, celery, black pepper, seasoned salt
and jalapeno peppers.

Bring to a full rolling boil and boil for 20 minutes.

Add the lobsters and place a lid over the pot.
Boil for 15 minutes.

Remove the lobsters from the pot, and place in a
colander under cool running water to stop the cooking.

Serve.

Coconut Cookies

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup flaked coconut


Directions:

In a large bowl, cream the butter and the sugars until light and fluffy.

Beat in the egg and the vanilla.

Combine the flour, baking powder, and the salt.

Gradually add to the creamed mixture. Mix well.

Stir in the coconut.

Shape into two 3 1/2 inch rolls.

Wrap each roll in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.

Unwrap and cut into 1/8 inch slices.

Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake at 425 F for 5-7 minutes or until lightly browned.

Remove to wire racks to cool.

Makes 4 1/2 dozen cookies


SOURCE: Taste of Home

Caramel Cashew Chewies

Ingredients:

3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup old fashioned oats
1 pkg. (14 ozs.) caramels
1/3 cup half-and-half
1 cup semisweet chocolate chunks
1 cup salted cashew halves, chopped



Directions:

In a large bowl, cream the butter and the brown sugar.

Beat in the egg.

Stir in the flour and the oats.

Press into a 13 x 9 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.

Bake at 350 F for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the caramels and the cream.
Cook over low heat for 4-5 minutes or until the caramels are melted.
Stir occasionally.

Pour over the crust. Sprinkle with the chocolate chunks and the cashews.

Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the chocolate is melted.

Cool on a wire rack before cutting. Makes 3 dozen depending on size cut.


Recipe Source: Taste Of Home - Amber Kieffer