I have to admitt, one of the first things that I fell in love with when we first walked through our home was the double oven. I love to bake, and when I pictured us in this home, this was the time of year I pictured us in. I could see myself standing in the kitchen with my hair up, my apron on and our boys so lovingly standing around (or sitting on) the island helping me bake cookies, breads, pies, and rolls. Now here we are doing almost that exact same thing I imagined (maybe minus the lovingly part) but at least they are loving it. Taylor loves to convince me to bake anything and I'm almost always convinced.
It is tradition on my side of the family that on the first real chilly day of the season we have Chili, mom's potato rolls, and pumpkin pie. I love a good tradition and I love the fact that just about everyone in the family was doing the same thing on the same day.
If this isn't comfort food for me, I don't know what is.
Another bonus is the fireplace. Such a comfortable night for us.
Would you like some recipes? They are all from my mom's recipe stash (although most things she makes is all stored in her brain). Please don't blame me if it doesn't come out perfect. Although I can taste home when I make these, it never EVER comes out like my moms.
Mom's Famous Chili
1 or 2 celery stalks
1 green pepper
1 onion
1 Tbs. butter
Saute together until caramelized. Brown 1 lb. hamburger and add to vegetables.
Add:
2/3 cup catsup
½ cup water
2 Tbs. lemon juice
1 Tbs. brown sugar
Dash of salt and pepper
1 tsp. vinegar
¼ tsp. dry mustard
Cook altogether and add 2 large cans of kidney beans, 1 large can tomato juice, and 1-2 Tbs. chili powder.
You must make the rolls to dip in the chili...they just go together.
Mom's Potato Rolls
2 1/4 - 2 1/2 cups water
3 small potatoes
Cook in saucepan until potatoes are soft (10-15 minutes) Then blend in blender until smooth.
2 cups scalded milk (cook in microwave for 5 minutes, then add butter and crisco to cool)
1 stick butter
1/2 c. crisco
Add milk mixture to the mixer. Then add:
1/3 c. canned milk
1 rounded Tbs. salt
1 rounded cup sugar
Potato mixture
Take your blender and add:
1/2 cup water
3 Tbs. yeast
1 Tbs. sugar
Blend and add to mixer. Add:
4 eggs
2 cups flour
Mix on medium for several minutes. Then add 3 cups at a time until you have a really soft (slightly sticky) dough. Approximatly 11 cups of flour total.
Put dough in a really good and buttered bowl and coat the surface. Cover and let rise for about 1 to 1 - 1/2 hours.
Have a bowl of melted butter and your baking sheet ready.
Roll out half the dough on a floured surface to about 1/2 thick. Cut with a good sized round circle (my mom would use a canning jar round lid, I use one of my cups). Grab a circle and dip your hands in the butter and spread it on one side of the circle. Fold in half and rub more butter on the top surface and place in your pan. Yes, butter is a key ingredient. Place the rolls right next to each other (there is no need to space them).
Let the rolls rise for another hour. Then bake in a 350 degree oven for around 15 minutes. (pull it out maybe sooner, maybe later)
Mom’s Pumpkin Pie
3 eggs
1 large can Libby’s Pumpkin
1 c brown sugar
1 c sugar
2 T flour
1 t salt
1 t cinnamon
½ t allspice
¼ t nutmeg
1 can evaporated milk
¼ c water
Beat eggs thoroughly. Add pumpkin and mix well. Add sugars, flour, salt, and spices. Stir until blended. Add milk and water stirring well. Make crust. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. Reduce heat and bake at 325 degrees until firm (about and hour).
