M & M Popcorn Treat

This is so simple to do, and I'll confess I saw it on Pinterest and just had to share.

Either pop a batch of popcorn in your popcorn maker, or make 2 microwave bags of popcorn - no flavoring. Add a dash of sea salt or two. Then, add a bag of M&M's. They could be whatever the holiday color is or just regular. a bag of mini-M&M's would be fine too.   Then melt either a pound bag of Wilton white chocolate candy melts or a package of almond bark. Mix together thoroughly, and then spread on a cookie sheet to dry. Once dry, package up in airtight bags or containers to eat.  Simple, Easy and Delicious.

Oatmeal Bread

To make two loaves of Oatmeal bread:

2 cups oatmeal
5 cups flour
2 cups boiling water
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon shortening
1 yeast cake dissolved in 1/2 cup lukewarm water

Pour boiling water over  oatmeal. Let stand 1 hour add molasses, salt shortening, flour and yeast. Let raise to double the size. beat throughly and turn into buttered tins. let rise and bake.

Sweet And Sour Beef

2 Tbsp. butter
3/4 c. ketchup
1 medium onion, chopped fine 1 or 2 tsp. vinegar
2 Tbsp. prepared mustard
1 Ib. London Broil
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. brown sugar

Brown meat and onion in oleo. Mix the remaining ingredients. 

Put meat and onion in crock pot. Pour sauce over meat. Cook on LOW all day.

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.

Venison Jerky

Cut lean strips of venison into pieces 1 to 1 and ½  inches thick and about 5 inches long. Any cut can be used but tender meat gives a better product. The loin, round, and flank are often used.

Make a brine of 1 pound salt to 1 gallon of water, store in granite canner, stone crock, or plastic bucket. Add meat. Weight the meat so the liquid covers the surface and allow to stand at least 12 hours.

Drain well and place on trays for  smoker. Transfer to smokehouse. Dry out and flavor with warm, not hot, smoke for 5-15 days, depending on the size of the pieces to be dried.

Use any non-resinous wood like maple, ash, or apple. When completely dry, store the meat in airtight containers. Jerky keeps indefinitely if all the fat has been removed before brining.