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
Category Archives: bread
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.
Filed under bread, California Fusion, Chinese, Main Dishes, Pork
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.
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.”
Filed under bread, California Fusion, Side Dishes
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.
Filed under bread, Side Dishes, Vegetarian
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.
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.
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.
Filed under bread, California Fusion, Vegetables, Vegetarian
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.
Filed under bread, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian








