Soft Pretzels

1 pkg. active dry yeast
3and 1/2 to 4 c. all-purpose flour
½ cup . warm water (105° to 115°)
2 qt. water
1 c. milk, scalded, cooled to Lukewarm
1 Tbsp. baking soda
1 egg, beaten
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. water
1 ½  tsp. salt Coarse salt (kosher salt)

Dissolve yeast in warm water in large bowl. Let stand 10 minutes. Stir in milk, sugar, salt and 2 cups of the flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle.

Turn dough onto lightly floured board. Knead until smooth, about 10 minutes. Place in greased bowl; turn greased side up and cover. Let rise in warm place until double, about 1 hour.

Turn onto lightly floured board. Roll into rectangle, 18 x 10 inches. Cut lengthwise into 10 strips, 1 inch wide. Roll strip of dough on lightly floured board with palms of hands until rounded and about 20 inches long. Holding ends of strip, form loop. Twist dough twice at top of loop. Bring ends down and fasten at opposite sides to form pretzel shape. Repeat with all strips. Let rise uncovered on floured board 30 minutes.

Heat water in 4 quart Dutch oven to boiling last 10 minutes or rising process. Add baking soda. Transfer pretzels, one at a time, into boiling water solution using large slotted spoon. Boil until dough feels firm but sticky about 1 minute. Lift out with slotted spoon, allowing water to drain off. Place on well greased foil-covered baking sheet. Repeat with remaining pretzels.

Heat oven to 400°. Mix beaten egg and water. Brush pretzels lightly with egg mixture; sprinkle lightly with coarse salt. Bake until crust is golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer immediately to wire rack.

Shrimp Scampi

2 lb. jumbo shrimp,uncooked
1/2 lb. butter
1/4 c. olive oil
1 Tbsp. parsley
3/4 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. oregano
1 clove garlic,  minced
3/4 tsp.  salt
1 tsp. lemon juice

Peel and slice raw shrimp almost through.    Place in baking and broiling dish with sliced side up.    Combine all other ingredients in saucepan over low heat until melted.    Cover shrimp with sauce.  

Bake for 15 minutes at 450°,  then broil for 5 minutes.     (Adjust bake and broil times for size of shrimp.)

Baton Rouge Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or other chicken pieces, but breasts seem to work best)
4 Tbsp. butter, melted
Spice Mix:
2 tsp. paprika
3/4 tsp. onion powder
3/4 tsp. garlic powder
3/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. ground white pepper
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. dried thyme leaves
1/2 tsp. dried oregano leaves
1/2 tsp. salt

Dip chicken breasts on both sides in the melted butter. Place on a sheet of waxed paper.
Combine the ingredients in the spice mix. Sprinkle over the chicken breasts on both sides of the meat evenly. Pat mixture onto the meat firmly.
Place a cast-iron skillet over medium high heat for 8 minutes.
Add chicken pieces, first with the skin side down, and cook until "blackened."
This may produce smoke, so be sure to turn the range vent on.
If you do not have a range vent, do not cook over so high a heat, but the chicken will not, then, actually blacken.

Turn chicken over. Saute just until chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes in all.
Serve immediately

* from the Great American Recipes Cooking Collection

Prairie Beer Cake

Makes one 10 inch tube cake.

3 c. sifted all purpose flour

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking soda                             

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. allspice                                   

1/2 tsp. cloves

1 c. shortening

2 c. firmly packed brown sugar

2 eggs, beaten

2 c. finely chopped nuts

2 c. beer

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.   Sift flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice and cloves into a bowl.   Set aside.

Cream shortening, gradually add sugar.   Beat until light.   Add eggs, beating until light and fluffy.   Reserve 2 tablespoons of the flour mixture.   Gradually add remaining flour to sugar mixture.   Mix well.   Add beer and beat until blended.

Add reserved flour to nuts.   Mix well.   Fold into batter.   Spoon into a greased 10 inch tube pan.   Bake for one hour or until done.

Cottage Cheese Casserole Bread

1 pkg. active dry yeast
1 c. creamed Hoods cottage cheese, heated to lukewarm
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. instant minced onion
1 Tbsp. butter
2 tsp. dill seed
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. soda                                    
1 unbeaten egg
2 and 1/4 to 2 and 1/2 c. all purpose flour

Soften yeast in water.   Combine in mixing bowl cottage cheese, sugar, onion, butter, dill seed, salt, soda, egg and softened yeast. Add flour to form a stiff dough, beating well after each addition. Cover, let rise in warm place 85 to 90 deg., until light and double in size, 50-60 minutes.   Stir down dough.   Turn into well greased 8 inch round (I 1/2 - 2 qt.) casserole.   Let rise in warm place until light, 30 to 40 minutes.

 Bake at 350 deg., for 40 to 50 minutes until golden brown.   Brush with soft butter and sprinkle with salt. Makes I round loaf.