American Rye Bread

1 package dry yeast

2 cups warm water

2 cups Rye flour

2 ¾  to 3 ¼ cups of all purpose flour

2 ½ teaspoons salt

Stir the yeast and warm water  together in a large mixing bowl  and let stand for a minute or two to dissolve the yeast. Add the Rye flour, 2 cups of the all purpose flour, and the salt. Beat vigorously until well blended. Stir in enough all purpose flour so you can handle the dough, then turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for a minute or two, then let rest 10 minutes.

  Resume kneading for about 10 minutes, adding all purpose fkour as needed to keep the dough from being too sticky.  Once smooth, place in a large greased bowl, cover and let rise until double in size.

Punch the dough down  and shape into two loaves, either in bread pans or  two round loaves. Round loaves should be placed on greased baking sheet with a sprinkle of cornmeal on it.  Cover lightly and let rise til double in bulk or to top of bread pans.

Slash loaves with a knife on top just before putting in a preheated 375 oven. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Place on a rake to cool.

From the Fannie Farmer’s Baking Book

Pecan Pork Medallions

Makes 2 servings


½ lb pork loin cut into ¾ inch slices
2 Tbs finely chopped pecans
¼ cup seasoned breadcrumbs
¼ tsp pepper
¼ cup soy sauce
1 Tbs Lemon juice
1 clove garlic minced
1 Tbs brown sugar
1 tsp vegetable oil

In shallow bowl, combine pecans, breadcrumbs and pepper. Mix thoroughly and set aside. In another bowl, combine soy sauce lemon juice, garlic and brown sugar. Mix well and marinate pork in mixture for an hour, turning occasionally. Coat pork with pecan mixture. Coat baking pan with ½ tsp oil. Place pork in pan, drizzle with remaining oil. Bake in a 425 degree oven for 20 minutes.

Key Lime Nachos

Makes 2 servings and can be done in a toaster oven. Adjust amounts as wanted.tortilla chips
2 oz. tortilla chips
1 1/2 tsp key lime juice
1/2 cup shredded Montrey Jack cheese
1/2 tsp chili powder
dash cayenne pepper

Spread 1/2 tortilla chips on small baking sheet. Drizzzle chips with 1/2 the lime juice. cover chips with 1/2 the cheese. spread remaining chips over cheese. drizzle with remaining lime juice and cheese. sprinkle with chili powder and cayenne pepper. Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 5 to 6 minutes. Serve immediately.

Oven Barbequed Chicken Wings

2 Tbs olive oil
¼ cup finely chopped onion
½ cup Ketchup
2Tbs Worcestershire sauce
1 Tb White Vinegar
1 tbs fresh lemon juice
1/8 tsp pepper
½ tsp dry mustard
1 ½ lb. chicken wings

Heat oil in medium sauce pan Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Add ketchup, worcestershire sauce vinegar, lemon juice, pepper and dry mustard. Simmer for 12 minutes. Cut chicken wings at the joint, rinse and pat dry. Place chicken pieces in a pan and coat liberally ¾ of the sauce. Bake in preheated 450 degree oven for 50minutes. Baste occasionally with remaining sauce.

Zingy Oven Fries

This recipe was designed for use in a Toaster oven. However there is no reason not to multiply the recipe and make a family sized version in the oven. The below recipe makes 2 servings.


Wash 2 baking potatoes. Do not remove the skins.

Cut each potato into 8 wedges

Whisk together 1 ½ tsp. of olive oil, ¼ tsp. chili powder, and a dash cayenne pepper.

Lightly spray the baking sheet with cooking spray.

Place wedges on pan and coat with oil mixture.

Place pan on lower rack and bake at 450 degrees for 35 minutes or so until golden brown.