In the Kitchen with Tell

Something smells good in the kitchen tonight. Mom is cooking Bierox (pronounced BEER-ROCKS). It's a sort of German version of a hamburger. This recipe is very popular among families of German descent here in Oklahoma. I'll tell you how to make it so you can have a taste of this heavenly stuff in your home. Take one pound of sausage (or 1/2 pound sausage and 1/2 pound hamburger if you prefer) and brown it in a skillet on the stove. Add 1 cup chopped onions and 2 cups shredded cabbage. You can add a little water if you like, but not too much, you don't want it soupy but pretty dry. Add 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1/4 tsp allspice and 1 Tbs flour. Now here is the secret ingredient -- add 1/2 tsp of nutmeg. Cover and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.

While its cooking on the stove, make a yeast dough, or you can cheat like Mom does and buy frozen bread dough at the grocery store and thaw it out. Divide and roll out 4" to 6" circles, then spoon the meat mixture in the center. Fold up the dough and pinch it together and put it on a cookie sheet. Set them a little ways apart from each other because they'll rise some in the over and get bigger. Spread a little melted butter on the top. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes until the bread is golden. There you go, now you know how to make Bierox at home. They're scrumptious. My Boy can eat about 10 of these at a time, but they do keep in the refrigerator well. Bone Appetit!

~Tell

Homemade Dog Biscuits

A while back, I mentioned a dog biscuit recipe that Mom had misplaced. Well, now we've found it and would like to share it with all our doggie friends. They aren't as fancy as the gourmet treats, but they're easy to make in your kitchen.

Homemade Dog Biscuits

3/4 cup hot water

1/3 cup butter or margarine

1/2 cup powdered milk

1 teaspoon salt (optional -- if you have a heart problem, dont add this one!)

1 Tablespoon beef or chicken boullion crumbies (for flavor)

1 egg

3 cups whole wheat flour

In a bowl, mix hot water and margarine. Stir in powdered milk, salt and beaten egg. Add flour, a little at a time. Knead for five minutes. This will make a stiff dough, but keep working it. Roll it out to about 1/2 inch thick and use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. We like to make dog bone shapes, but you can make bunnies, cows, reindeer, whatever. Bake on a cookie sheet at 350 degrees for about 45-50 minutes. Be sure to let them cool before you sneak one, they come out of the oven HOT.

So there you are, blogger friends. Make up a batch and keep them handy in a basket or jar. You can feel good about these snacks because you know just what's in them and how fresh they are. Just remember, pace yourself and don't eat too many at one time.

~Tell