Homemade Crockpot Yogurt

Isn't that awesome? This is actually my crockpot with actual yogurt in it! I was SO excited that it worked. Especially since it failed the first time, but now I know why!

1. Pour ONLY milk into crockpot. Low for 2 hours 45 mins.
2. Turn OFF and let sit for 3 hours.
3. Take starter yogurt out of fridge to get to room temp if you choose, but don't have to.
4. When timer goes off, put 1 cup of starter yogurt in a bowl with some milk FROM THE CROCKPOT.
     Mix it thoroughly with a whisk. Then add all of it into the crockpot and mix thoroughly. *(this is why mine
     was all weird the first time I made it! Didn't mix in small amount first, or well enough in the big pot)
5. Lid on. Wrap whole thing in blankets for next 10 hours. Wha-la! Yogurt!

Lukas whooped for joy when he saw that it worked. We learned vocabulary like cultures, acidophilus, bacteria, as well as self-reliant and preservatives.

Baking Powder Biscuits- Jan Walker Style

Baking Powder Biscuits.- (I probably should have said don't forget the honey and jam. :))
2 c flour
1 T baking powder
1 t salt
1/4 c shortening
3/4 c milk
Mix dry ingredients. Cut in shortening until coarse crumb texture. Stir milk into mixture. Knead and roll out to 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Use cup to cut into circles. Bake at 425 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
for Family size times it all by 3 I think and put on 10x15 pan. (salt was just 1 1/2 though)

APPLE MUFFINS-

Jan Walker's Awesome Recipe


Stir together:
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup oil
1 cup grated apple

Blend dry ingredients:
3 c. flour
1 c. sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp. cinnamon

Topping:
2/3 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2/3 c. chopped nuts

Stir just til flour is moistened.
Fill muffin tins 2/3 full.
Sprinkle w/ topping just before baking.
Bake at 400 for 12-15 mins.
Makes about 18+ muffins.

Waffles without Waffle Iron

The Waffle Recipe is simple-
2c flour (feel free to do half wheat/half white or bread flour)
3tsp baking powder
1tsp salt
3 eggs, SEPARATED-
(save whites and food processor or blender them till peaks form)

Fold in egg whites

1 & 1/4 c. Milk
1/2 c. shortening

No waffle iron? Use a sandwich maker!

Easy baking powder biscuits

2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
5 TBSP butter
1 (scant) cup milk

Combine flour, salt, and baking powder. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until largest crumbs are the size of a pea. Add milk, toss with a fork to make a dough. Fold it over itself a few times, not really "kneading", just combining. You want to maintain the layers of butter and flour to get a light, flaky biscuit.

Break off chunks into circles or squares or whatever shapes and slap on a cookie sheet.

Bake at 425 degrees approximately 15 minutes.

I use whole wheat flour, and like the flavor. Remember, handling biscuit dough for too long makes dense, hard biscuits, so if you don't mind an "ugly" biscuit it will taste better for the less handling.

German Pancakes

I never ate this in Germany. But they sure are delicious!


Coat 9x13 pan in 1/4 cup melted butter

In bowl mix:
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
6 eggs

Pour ingredients into the pan & put into COLD oven. Turn oven on to 450 degrees & bake for 20 minutes.

Cut into slices and top with applesauce & whipped cream. Lukas loves these!

Mutti's Pancakes

By request from Michelle:

Mutti's Whole Wheat Pancakes

1 egg
1 cup buttermilk*
2 TBSP oil
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 TBSP honey
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 TBSP milk (if needed, for texture)
1/8 tsp vanilla (optional)

Beat egg, add wet ingredients, then mix in dry ingredients. Cook in skillet or on griddle, with or without butter or oil as desired.

*If you don't have buttermilk (I never do) the next best thing is buttermilk powder, found on the baking aisle or on the breakfast aisle. You add it with the dry ingredients, and add 1 cup water with the wet ingredients in place of buttermilk.
Next best substitution: 1 or 2 TBSP vinegar or lemon juice, and enough milk to make 1 cup, left on the counter for 5 minutes to curdle.

QUICHE!

Pie crust (store bought or homemade, your choice)

Beat three eggs with a fork in a glass, two-cup measuring cup. Add milk to make 1 1/2 cups, then add sour cream to make 2 cups of liquid*. Combine with a pinch of pepper, maybe 1/2 tsp salt, and some nutmeg. You can use italian spices if you want to make a pepperoni quiche.

Press pie crust into glass pie dish. Layer cheese** on the bottom, and then any toppings you like. My favorite is bacon and diced onion (pre-cooked in a sauté pan).

Layer some more cheese on top, pour egg mixture on top, and bake at 400 degrees for approximately 35-45 minutes. It should be mostly set, and a little brown on top.

*You can use any combination of milk products, including cream, yogurt, evaporated milk (not sweetened condensed), etc. The thicker your milk products, the thicker your quiche will be.

**I prefer cheddar with a bit of parmesan cheese. You can use mozzarella, or whatever else you have on hand.