Instead of almonds, I wanted to try pistachios. I prefer the pistachios!
Candied Pistachios
Pickles, Large Batch
We prefer the smaller, hand size pickles for these. Whole cucumbers do not get as soggy as cut and a lot can be stuffed into the jars.
Pickles (Great Grandma Reble’s Recipe)
This is a small batch of pickles that you can make as your cucumbers become ripe. Grandma did not hot water bath them, but it is highly recommended that you do
Baklava
A not to sweet dessert that is perfect for special occasions.
Burnt Almonds (Gebrannte Mandeln)
We discovered this recipe while looking for German Christmas recipes. Many “Weihnachtsmarkt” (Christmas markets) serve these cinnamony nuts. While it would make sense to share the recipe for Christmas, we decided to wait until National Almond Day, which is the 16th of February every year.
To keep from burning, the mixture needs to be stirred continuously.
Dark Chocolate, Cherry, Pecan Sourdough Bread
A nice bread to toast for breakfast or snack.
Pita Bread
Even though this bread does not always puff up or pull apart into a pocket, it is still a very good flat bread.
The longer the dough has to sit in the fridge, the better it tastes. It can be made up to three days ahead, but it is also good if you are making it last minute.
Sourdough Bread
This is a very wet dough. The first time making this bread may be a little confusing, but it is not very difficult. Be sure the sourdough starter has been fed and is “very happy” or this bread will not rise properly.
The stretch and fold described will help strength the gluten, adding air without kneading the dough. You do not need to be exact with the times between stretch and folds, but you do want the dough to rest at least 20 minutes. Do not over stretch and fold, four times total is good.
Laugenbrezel (German Soft Pretzels)
This is not the super soft, sweet pretzel that many malls offer. This has a bagel like texture that is much better I think! Salt as much or as little as you like and serve with a favorite mustard or cheese sauce.
Marble Cookie Squares
Another recipe from Aunt Bonnie’s recipe box. We baked ours in a pie pan which worked very well also. The card did not included time to bake, but we just let our set up like a cookie.
One thing I really like about many of the recipes from Aunt Bonnie is the recipe makes a small amount. There was enough here for us, but no left overs. I am not sure when she copied this recipe, but when I looked it up, it looks like it was popular in the early 1960’s.
