Category Archives: bread

Claudia’s Monkey Bread

Before I left home for the first time, I sat down with my mother’s recipe box and wrote down my favorite dishes. This is everything that was written on the original 3×5 card. Continue reading

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Karl’s California Fusion Baozi (包子)

I love pocket breads. I have recently been experimenting with bierock, the Volga German pocket breads. I have settled on the right proportions of bread to filling and I have decided to start branching out. What other fillings could I put in my “pockets?” Today, the answer is Chinese pork.

Karl’s California Fusion Baozi (包子)

Karl’s California Fusion Baozi (包子)

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Filed under bread, California Fusion, Chinese, Main Dishes, Pork

Karl’s Barbecued Hamburgers

When I made hamburgers—a long time ago—I simply  took the meat out of the package, formed it into patties and threw it on the grill. While I still think there is a place for a plain burger, you can do so much more to make simple ground beef into something to write home about. Of course, fancy burgers require fresh buns.

Karl's Barbecued Hamburgers

Karl’s Barbecued Hamburgers

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Filed under Beef, bread, California Fusion, Main Dishes

Karl’s Better Bierock

A bierock is not now, nor has it ever been haute cuisine, it is essentially a workingman’s lunch. When you are working, traveling, or having some kind of festival event, you do not always have time to sit down for meal. Having a meal in a neat, sealed package that you can slip into a pocket or pouch is a solution that many cultures have discovered.

Karl’s Better Bierock

Karl’s Better Bierock

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Filed under Beef, bread, Main Dishes, Vegetables

Karl’s French Onion Soup Crackers

I had some French onion soup left over from the other night. It had turned into an onion jam and—although the flavor was not bad—was a bit too “oniony” for most of Eilene’s friends. I was getting few takers for the leftovers. I decided that one way to buffer the flavors—and use up the leftovers— was to turn some of it into savory crackers. I will freeze the rest, in portions, to use as “soup starters.”

Karl’s French Onion Soup Crackers

Karl’s French Onion Soup Crackers

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Karl’s American Biscuits

For some reason, I have never made biscuits from scratch.  I frequently make scones for breakfast, but I have always depended on Bisquick for biscuits. Part of the reason for this is that I really did not understand the difference between the two. While I was making biscuits for biscuits and gravy, I discovered that they are easy and, by themselves, the are a delicious and versatile bread.

Karl’s American Biscuits

Karl’s American Biscuits

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Karl’s Biscuits and Beef Jerky Gravy

More than forty years ago, I visited my second cousins in “Pleasant Valley,” Arizona. While I was there I had one of the most memorable meals of my life, biscuits and beef jerky gravy served with a side of fresh pinto beans. While biscuits and gravy is a standard Southern/Western dish, I have never had—before or since—as good as I had that day.

Karl’s Biscuits and Beef Jerky Gravy

Karl’s Biscuits and Beef Jerky Gravy

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Filed under bread, Breakfast, Sauces and Spices

Karl’s Pigs in a Blanket Two Ways

I thought the kids were not coming over this weekend, they have been on and off on a low carb diet. Myr just got back from Italy and they had a friend’s wedding on Saturday, so I thought they were not coming over.  Jan had challenged me to do a gourmet “pigs in a blanket.” The kids have changes their minds and are coming over, but they will eat high carb.

Karl’s Pigs in a Blanket

Karl’s Pigs in a Blanket

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Filed under bread, California Fusion, Main Dishes, Pork

Karl’s Broccoli and Cheese Empanada

I am making “pigs in a blanket” for Sundays dinner, but man does not live on bread and meat alone—as much as some might try. I had found how to make the perfect crust dough, so I thought I would make a vegetable empanada. I decided that broccoli was a good choice, with maybe some onion and a little potato and some sharp cheddar to give it some bite.

Karl’s Broccoli and Cheese Empanada

Karl’s Broccoli and Cheese Empanada

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Karl’s Thyme Water Crackers II

Earlier this week I made water crackers for the Dean’s Lunch. I know I just posted this recipe just this morning, but I was not satisfies with what I had produced. Yes, they were crisp and delicious but they were a bit too crisp.

Karl’s Thyme Water Crackers II

Karl’s Thyme Water Crackers II

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Filed under bread, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian