Goodbye to an old friend
We have been enjoying asparagus for about three weeks now. I love to eat it raw right in the garden. It’s as good or better than fresh peas from the pod.
The chives are also lush and green. I chopped some up with some tuna fish and mayonnaise for a delicious spring sandwich that I ate while sitting under the lilac trees that are preparing to bloom.
I needed this quiet time in the garden to reflect and remember, as this past weekend was a sad one for our family. We lost a dear family friend, our dog Snowey. It was unexpected because we realized he was sick one day and then he was gone the next. For a dog who was only seven years old and we thought in good health, it was very sudden. He was a cocker spaniel-Bichon Frieze cross that I often referred to as “our white fuzz ball.” When his hair was long it felt like soft cotton balls and when it was trimmed short he was covered with soft waves. He was a loyal friend and faithful companion, always there to greet us at the end of the day. I often teased my husband saying that Snowey gave him a better greeting than I did when he came home at night, because Snowey would always run to see him, where I might just call out a greeting.
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Snowey was the dog of our children’s childhood, the only family dog they have ever really known. We have many happy memories of family wrestling matches and Snowey cheering us on with his barks; of fishing and camping holidays where he would hang his head over the boat just looking for the fish.
When I gave the kids a hug, Snowey would stand on his hind legs to make it a group hug. He loved to play ball, fetch the frisbee and have games of tag to see who could catch him. If we were near water he would have to go in to get his belly wet and have a drink. He loved his people and liked nothing better than curling up at your feet on the couch. He was an intelligent, well-mannered dog and a devoted loving pet and we miss him greatly.
When we were at the veterinarian’s I noticed a poster for a pet loss support group. They encourage those coping with grief to talk to others who have experienced a similar loss. Talk to your vet and ask for the number of a group near you.
Quick meal
Dear TEAM: I am looking for a recipe for quick ham quiche made with a biscuit mix, but not the recipe that Bisquick offers. I am also looking for an address where I could order Regal Ware replacement handles for my 40-year-old stainless steel cookware. – E.S., Manning, Alta.
Dear E.S.: The following is a basic homemade quick biscuit mix. It is often called the most versatile of all mixes because it can be used for a variety of biscuits, muffins, quick breads, cookies, cakes and quick quiche.
Basic quick biscuit mix
81Ú2 cups all- 2.125 L
purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking 15 mL
powder
1 tablespoon salt 15 mL
2 teaspoons cream 10 mL
of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda 5 mL
11Ú2 cups instant 375 mL
nonfat dry milk
21Ú4 cups vegetable 550 mL
shortening
In a large bowl, sift together all dry ingredients. Blend well. With pastry blender, cut in shortening until evenly distributed. Mixture will resemble cornmeal in texture. Put in a large airtight container. Label. Store in a cool, dark, dry place. Use within 10 to 12 weeks. Makes about 13 cups (3.25 L) of quick mix.
Variation: Use 41Ú4 cups (1.050 L) all-purpose flour and 41Ú4 cups (1.050 L) whole wheat flour instead of 81Ú2 cups (2.125 L) all-purpose flour. Increase baking powder to two tablespoons (30 mL).
Self-crust cheese tart
sprinkle of paprika
1 cup grated 250 mL
swiss cheese
4 strips bacon, 4
cooked and crumbled
3 eggs 3
1Ú4 teaspoon salt 1 mL
1Ú4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 mL
if desired
11Ú2 cups milk 375 mL
1 teaspoon instant 1 mL
minced onion
1Ú3 cup quick mix 75 mL
(see above)
Preheat oven to 325 F (165 C). Generously butter a nine-inch (22 x 12 cm) pie plate. Sprinkle bottom and sides of prepared pie plate lightly with paprika. Layer cheese and bacon on bottom of pie plate. Combine eggs, salt, nutmeg, milk, onion and quick mix in a blender. Blend at medium speed about one minute, until thoroughly mixed. Pour over cheese and bacon in pie plate. Bake 30 to 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Serve hot. Makes six servings.
Variation: Substitute 1Ú2 cup (125 mL) chopped ham for bacon.
This recipe is from Make-A-Mix Cookery by Karine Eliason, Nevada Harward and Madeline Westover, published by Bantam Books.
Pot handles
The following addresses will help you find pot handles for Regal Ware:
- Regal Ware Corp.,1675 Reigle Drive, Kewaskum, Wis. 53040, U.S.A., 800-832-5932. I have called them and they are sending out a handle order form. Not all of their handles are still available but some can be used on several of their cookware series.
- Regal Ware Canada Inc. Distributor, 10 Centennial Rd., Orangeville, Ont., L9W 1P8. This address is for cookware that was sold door to door. The same order form as above would apply for this cookware.
- Factory Outlet Small Appliance, 10546 -115th St., Edmonton, Alta., T5H 3K6, 780-425-9550. They recommend you bring your pots in and they will see if they can match something up.
Toaster’s uses
Dear TEAM: I recently got an electric Sunbeam sandwich toaster at an auction sale. There was no instruction booklet or recipes with it. It seems to work fine and makes great grilled cheese sandwiches, but there must be more things to do with it. If I were to try toasted egg sandwiches, would the eggs be cooked? Any recipes or helpful hints would be very welcome. – F.M., Kenosee Village, Sask.
Dear F.M.: I have a similar toaster/grill, but the grill is also reversible to a waffle iron. I have used ours for years mainly for grilled cheese sandwiches and waffles. The grill can also be laid flat to cook pancakes, french toast, bacon or eggs. When grilling sandwiches I have always buttered the bread on the outside to give a toasted finish or used a light cooking spray. You could also try a reuben sandwich with corned beef, swiss cheese and sauerkraut, or a pizza sandwich using pepperoni slices, mozzarella cheese and spread the inside of the bread with spaghetti or pizza sauce. To make an apple turnover, place apple slices, brown sugar and cinnamon between the bread slices.
I have tried an egg sandwich and found that it worked fine. I buttered two slices of bread and placed one butter side down on the grill. I used a fork to make a slight hollow in the bread, then I cracked an egg into the hollow and added salt and pepper, and then covered it with the other slice of bread, butter side out, lowered the top of the grill down on the sandwich and cooked it for about four minutes.
The yolk was firm, overcooked for my taste. I suggest experimenting to get the egg cooked to your preference. You could also add ham, onion and cheese for more of an omelet taste.
The recipe booklet that came with my grill suggests grilling frankfurters by splitting lengthwise and placing them between the grids. Grill until brown, then place on a bun, place the bun on the grids and grill until brown.
I contacted Sue at Sunbeam Canada at 905-501-0146 ext. 240, and she is sending you an instruction/recipe book for the toaster.
