Fanny Farmer Food

FANNIE FARMER'S CLASSIC BAKED MACARONI & CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Cook and drain macaroni according to package directions; set aside.
• In a large saucepan melt butter.
• Add flour mixed with salt and pepper, using a whisk to stir until well blended.
• Pour milk and cream in gradually; stirring constantly.
• Bring to boiling point and boil 2 minutes (stirring constantly).
• Reduce heat and cook (stirring constantly) 10 minutes.
• Add shredded cheddar little by little and simmer an additional 5 minutes, or until cheese melts.
• Turn off flame.
• Add macaroni to the saucepan and toss to coat with the cheese sauce.
• Transfer macaroni to a buttered baking dish.
• Sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
• Bake 20 minutes until the top is golden brown.
• (You can also freeze this recipe in zip-lock bags for later use - once you have mixed the macaroni along with the cheese sauce allow to cool to room temperature before adding to your freezer - I generally pull it out the night before and allow macaroni and cheese to reach room temperature; I then add the macaroni and cheese to a buttered baking dish, sprinkle with bread crumbs and then bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until golden brown on top and bubbling.

FANNY FARMER CORN BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Grease an 8 inch square cake pan. Mix the cornmeal,flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Add the milk, egg, and shortening or bacon fat, and blend well. Spoon into the pan and bake for about 20 minutes. Cool and cut in squares.

FANNY FARMER'S OLD FASHIONED BEEF STEW

Steps:

• On a piece of wax paper combing the flour, salt and pepper and roll the beef cubes in the mixture. Shake off the excess flour.
• Over high heat in a Dutch oven, melt the shortening. When the shortening is very hot, add the beef chunks, about 5 or 6 pieces at a time, do not crowd. Brown on all sides and remove to plate. Repeat the process until all the beef chunks are browned.
• Once the meat is cooked, return the cooked meat to the pot, stand back and pour on the boiling water. Be careful not to burn yourself when the water spits and sputters. Next add the lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, yellow onion, pearl onions, bay leaves, and allspice. Stir well.
• Lower the heat, cover and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until meat is tender. Do not allow the stew to dry out. Add a little more boiling water if necessary. Finally, add the carrots, onions, and potatoes and cook another 25-30 minutes or until the carrots and potatoes pierce easily with a fork.

THE FANNY FARMER DARK FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Set oven to 325 degrees F.
• Butter two 9 x 5-inch loaf pans.
• Line the pans with foil, then butter the foil.
• Cream the butter or shortening.
• Add in brown sugar; beat until light.
• Add in lemon extract and eggs and beat well.
• Stir in molasses and blend to combine.
• In a small bowl combine the flour with baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, mace, cloves and salt; beat into the creamed mixture until combined.
• Add in milk; beat until combined.
• Stir in the candied fruit, candied cherries, candied citron, dates or raisins and nuts; mix well.
• Transfer/divide the batter between the two pans.
• Bake for 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until the loaves test done.
• Turn out onto racks to cool.
• When completely cooled wrap well and store in an airtight container.
• BRANDIED FRUIT CAKE OPTION; soak two large pieces of cheesecloth in brandy.
• Wrap each fruit cake in the cheesecloth covering all sides, then wrap well in foil.
• Moisten the cheesecloth with additional brandy every few days for about a week.

FANNIE FARMER GRIDDLECAKES

Steps:

• Mix together the dry ingredients. Add the beaten egg and melted butter and stir vigorously, adding more milk, if necesary, to make the batter just thin enough to pour. Drop by spoonfuls or pour from pitcher onto heated and greased griddle or frying pan using medium heat. When full of bubbles and the underside is browned, turn and brown the other side. Serve with maple syrup and additional butter.

FANNIE FARMER PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES (HALF RECIPE)

Steps:

• "Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease some cookie sheets. In a mixing bowl, thoroughly cream the shortening, vanilla, and sugars. Add the eggs and beat well. Stir in the peanut butter. Mix together the flour, salt, and baking soda, and add to the peanut butter mixture, combining thoroughly.
• Form into tiny balls with the palm of your hands and place on the cookie sheets. Press each cooking twice with the back of a fork to make a crisscross design. Bake about 8-10 minutes or until firm.".