Cortlands Make the Best Apple Pie

 We have been living at the "new" old homestead for 8 weeks now.  Can't believe the last year has gone so fast.  When will it slow down. 

 I remember when I was a kid, how long the days were... they seemed to drag on forever.

 Not anymore!

So if that's the way it's gonna be, we have to do as much as possible in these new very short days!!

...and one thing I wanted to do was to go picking apples.. 

yes I know we should have been working on house projects, finishing up outside things before winter ...but when Apple time is calling, I am going to answer.

Beautiful big box of Cortlands.. My favourite kind! 

We went down to the nearest Orchard, the one that I pass every time I go to the Post Office to mail a jewelry order out. The fellow who owns it is Mr. Doucette.  He's a super nice older gentleman, tall and lean.. with big glasses and a floppy hat.

He has the most beautiful orchard you ever saw. It is up a very long, very steep, very narrow, winding driveway... almost an adventure just heading up the hill to his farm... but when you are there, you're surrounded with all the bounty of Nature. His orchard is huge... rows upon rows... they were loaded down with fruit... and so well cared for, it was a pleasure to  gather apples there.  He had Pears and Plums earlier in the season, too.

So some peeling, some slicing,, some cinnamon, brown sugar, dabs of butter, sprinkles of lemon juice, good stir and the filling was ready. Smelled so good!

 Mixed up the pie crust... love the old pastry blender I found at a flea market.

Found my favourite long round rolling pin.. Such a cool wooden tool. last forever, it will.

 Finally rolling out the crust time.  I use Lard in my crust

...made enough for 3 pies ...tops and bottoms.

Popped them in the oven and cooked them about 35+ minutes at 350 deg..  but always test for the temperature of your own oven. 

I might have scorched them a bit on the bottom as I'm not quite used to this oven yet

but they tasted great!! 

The fragrance that filled the room was well worth it..

 I wish I could bottle it!!

Vintage Beatrice Harper Grinder

 Recently when I was out looking around in a second hand shop I found this great old Grinder.  

I remember using one of these a long time ago when making mincemeat and pickles. 

It was in good shape so I picked it up as I am on the search for things that I can use without electricity. 

Two times lately a plastic part on my electric food processor has broke and I had to find some super adhesive to fix it, of course, it didn't hold... the food processor works fine but due to planned obsolescence,  the company no longer makes parts for that machine...so I am not able to buy the plastic part that holds the cutter blades.. that really makes me mad.  I'm on the look out for much better glue but till then I am going to try this old style grinder when it serves the purpose.

 It came with all 3 original  fine, medium and coarse cutters.

 Harper is in raised letters on one side ...

 ... and Beatrice,  Made in England on the other.

 Looking down through the top opening you can see the spiral steel corkscrew device that when turned moves the vegetables or meat along towards the front cutter blades.

 Here is what it looks like with the steel corkscrew removed. 

 I don't know if it is called a corkscrew but it reminds me of one.

You can see the raised grooves in the base section that starts the cutting process.

The steel was tinned when it was brand new, but it has worn away on some places that received the most use.

But not to worry,  it can still be maintained with a little oil to keep it from rusting and it won't kill you if you use it.

It will just keep working every time you want it to. 

Just think of all the times you won't have to get mad because it broke again...

 because it won't... they used to make things that lasted.

Just make sure it is nice and dry before you put it away.

 This is the front where the cutter blades are attached.

 This is looking in from the back where the corkscrew grinder and handle slide in.

 This is what it looks like with the big grinder put into place with the medium size cutter blade attached with the wing nut.

 A look under the cutting board shows the heavy duty clamp that attaches the Grinder to the counter.

 The wooden handle still has traces of its red paint.

The blurred numerals just above the word Harper reads No.3181

They made the front attaching screw long enough to hold all 3 cutter blades so they won't get lost in storage.

Everything about this is just simple and smart.  I'd rather turn the handle than push a button anyway. 

 It feels like you are more involved in the process....  and there is absolutely No plastic on it anywhere! 

Maybe I won't even bother fixing my electric food processor and instead,  just use this great piece of vintage kitchen equipment, all the time....

after all at $5.99,  it cost less than the glue.

I can't wait to start mincing and grinding things.

Best Chili We Ever Made

Our Chili recipe... it is soooo good... Our favourite!... We love it!... here goes:

2 lg. cans kidney beans (rinsed well)
1 lb. ground beef
2 - 4 med. onions, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
many cloves of garlic, minced
1 green pepper,chopped
2 lg. cans of plum tomatoes
4-5 Tbsp. of chili powder
2 tsp. cocoa powder
2 tsp. ground cumin (the secret ingredient!)
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. chili pepper flakes
1/4 tsp. cinnamon

After browning the beef, add the next 4 ingredients and cook for 10-15 minutes... stir in the tomatoes... break up with a fork... add all the spices... cook for about 5 minutes... add the kidney beans... simmer for about an hour...

It smells so good..

My assistant and son, Max... took every opportunity to goof off in the spattered mirror... he doesn't know I got a shot of him acting silly... he thought he made his silly faces faster than I could catch him.... ha ha ... gotcha! .... it was too fun to leave out of the recipe...


Most of the time, he just added ingredients and stirred... all sensible like...



Oh... can't forget the homemade oatmeal raisin brown bread.... something to soak up those hot spices and sink our teeth into... perfect compliment...



Add lots of grated cheese... we usually use 3 different kinds... probably... 'cause we just can't make up our minds... and by this time we are all really hungry... our appetites stimulated by the that wonderful aroma...



....Add a glass of wine and we are all set...


......... Salute!!!!

Oatmeal Raisin Brown Bread

Oatmeal Raisin Brown Bread.... our most favourite bread ... it takes a bit of trial & error to work out recipes to your liking and I finally have this one worked out.... It is really simple & delicious.... takes less than 5 min. to put it together

I use a breadmaker to mix it & do the first raising... while I work up in the studio... must be what having a maid feels like...

1½ C. water - lukewarm- so not to kill your yeast
2 Tbsp.milk powder
2 Tbsp canola oil
2 Tbsp. molasses
2 Tbsp. sugar or honey
1½ tsp. sea salt
3½ C. flour ( I use ½ unbleached and ½ whole wheat although it tastes great using all whole wheat too.. just a little denser)
¾ C. quick cooking oatmeal
2-3 tsp. dry yeast

Just as it starts to mix in the breadmaker,

toss in ½ C. raisins... Feel free to add a few Tbsp. of your favorite nuts or grains for flavor & texture .... I have been using Flax seed, ground and whole, Salba, sesame and Sunflower seeds.... a small handfull of 12 grain cereal is nice too...

....this first portion of kneading and rising takes 1½ hours but the machine does all that. Then take it out and shape it into a slightly flattened round ball, (sometimes I shape it into a long loaf) , roll it to and fro on your greased cookie sheet.... cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm draft free place...a sunny window sill works well... if it isn't sunny I sit it near the woodstove...






 Bake in preheated 375º F. oven for 25 min.... this time works for me but as all ovens are a bit different in temperature... check it every now and  then to see if it is done..

....this bread tastes as good as the aroma that emanates through the house... it goes with everything....yogurt, fruit, home made soup, beans...

.... and is just plain delicious all by itself...