Author: The Plot Twisted

Cooking Without Photos – Spritz Cookies

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Burrrrr! This week we are traveling to Petersburg, Alaska aka Little Norway. It’s always amazing to me when I find community cookbooks in Arkansas that are from other states. I just stare at them and ask, “Well, how did you get here? I bet you have an awesome story to tell.”

I digress…Alaska. Located just off the coast of British Columbia, Canada, Petersburg, Alaska was first home to the Tlingit indigenous peoples for over 2000 years. A Norwegian pioneer named Peter Buschmann arrived in 1897. He immediately recognized the potential in fishing opportunities and worked right along side the Tlingit peoples to cultivate a lasting relationship even felt today.

Utilizing natural refrigeration with the LeConte Glacier, fishing boats could stay out longer and it was quickly decided that a cannery was needed. A sawmill and a dock soon followed and the birth of a thriving fishing community was born.

Around 1911 it was decided that lodge for Sons Of Norway needed to be built. Using volunteer labor, one of the largest structures in Petersburg was built and still stands today.

The Sons Of Norway hall was the social center for years. Along with lodge meetings, there were dances, conventions, card parties, and basketball games. In the spring, a farewell party was held for the fisherman before the start of fishing season.

Today, the Lodge stands as a monument to those immigrants who settled in Petersburg and began a new life.

This week’s recipe comes from the cookbook “Sons Of Norway Fedrelandet Lodge 23 Petersburg, Alaska”. Written in 1985, it celebrates the 75th anniversary of the lodge.

When I started deciding on a recipe, I found out quickly that I need to expand my pantry and add some cardamom. Lots of recipes in this book call for cardamom. I don’t believe I’ve ever had that before.

I figured I couldn’t go wrong with a sweet treat. I stopped at spritz cookies. I saw that it called for a “cooky” press. I had one of those! Have you ever gotten mad at cookie dough? Today was that day for me.

Couple of things:

  1. Cooky presses are the devil. There was probably a reason I never saw my mom use one. I love all things kitchen, but I may start drawing the line at cooky press.
  2. Maybe I need to try a different recipe for the cooky press.
  3. Maybe I need to try an up to date version of a cooky press.
  4. Anyway!
  5. Not a hard recipe to put together. My cookies just would not press. I got so sick of it, I rolled the last of the dough into balls and said that’s ENOUGH!
  6. I didn’t sift my flour. If you sift your flour, they are supposed to be smoother.
  7. Will I make them again, probably not. Am I getting rid of my cooky press…also probably not😆

I hope you like them. They have great flavor and could hold up to use for a dip. Pour a glass of milk, have a snack and try not to think about throwing your cooky press in the trash.

Cooking Without Photos – Peanut Butter Bread

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Wahoo! It’s a new year and I’ve got goals!

After a break from sharing recipes, I’m back with my regularly scheduled program. I’ve been collecting community cookbooks from all over the place with one goal in mind. This year, I’ll be sharing recipes from all 50 states!

I’ll be starting off at the top of the list with Alabama! Alabama is one of our very fave places to visit❤️

When I found this first cookbook, “Trinity’s Potpourri 1979”, I knew I had to have it for a couple of reasons.

1. It already had my name on it.

2. It was written in the best year ever!

3. “Potpourri” will for sure describe this year’s recipe sharing. A little bit of everything from coast to coast.

So let’s begin again!

The cookbook I chose this time is from the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.

In 1811, Huntsville became the first incorporated town in Alabama. When Alabama became a state in 1819, Huntsville was the capital for one year until it was decided that the capital needed to be in a more centralized location.

In the beginning, cotton was very successful and was traded locally and internationally. In 1855 the railroad was established. The railroad helped keep the cotton industry growing. During the 1930s, the cotton industry started failing and focus was switched to growing watercress.

In 1940, the Army selected 35,000 acres and began building the Huntsville Arsenal. With the building of the Arsenal, Huntsville’s population began to rise and contractors could not keep up with the housing demand.

From the 1960’s up until today, NASA plays a huge roll in keeping the city populated. I’m fact, Huntsville is the most populated city in Alabama.

On to the recipe!

While flipping through “Trinity’s Potpourri”, I came across a recipe for Peanut Butter Bread. I’ve actually made this before (not this recipe) and knew I had to do it again.

Couple things:

1. This recipe said it made a regular pan and a small pan. It still took forever for the bigger one to cook. When I make this again, I’ll make two mini pans and the larger pan. I think that would be perfect!

2. It doesn’t say how long to cook the smaller pan. I’d check it at 35 minutes.

3. It also didn’t say anything about greasing the pan. I did.

Very tasty! Grab yourself a glass of milk and have a treat!

Dollar Tree Solar Lanterns

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Another cute craft from the Dollar and a Quarter Tree😍😍😍

You’ll need the following:

3 (or however many you want to do) Candle holders with handle – mine said “Happy”. I asked Jeff to take off the “happy”. He came back with, “whatever that’s on there with, we need to use it to paint the house”. “Happy” stayed😆

3 Solar light stakes
3 Outdoor Hangers
E6000

  1. Take a solar light and pull the stake part off. You can throw it away because you’ll never use it. Just throw it away.
  2. Put the E6000 around the rim of the candle holder.
  3. PULL OUT THE TAB ON THE SOLAR LIGHT TO ACTIVATE IT!!!
  4. Place the solar light down into the candle holder with the solar panel pointing up.
  5. Let the glue dry.
  6. Hang it up.
  7. You’re done.

You can also use hot glue plus the E6000 to keep the solar light in place. I used it on one and then decided I didn’t need the hot glue. You do you.

Aren’t these the cutest?!

Cooking Without Photos – Hawaiian Drop Cookies

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After a short break, I’m back with more recipes and stories to share!

This recipe comes straight from Ola, AR. Back in the day, Ola was first called Red Lick and then Petit Jean. They changed their name to Ola in 1880.

Settlers began arriving around 1840 from all over. Land was cheap and attracted folks from as far away as the Carolinas, Alabama and Tennessee.

The railroad arrived in 1899 and with it came more opportunities for growth. More businesses opened and folks were thriving.

Disaster struck in 1930 when a tornado ripped thru town and again in 1934 when a fire destroyed several businesses.

Over the years and like many small towns, Ola has experience economic turmoil. Today, Ola has a population of about 1,000. A few businesses remain, but mostly Ola is a small town with a big heart.

While flipping thru, “Seasoned With Love: Ola Band Boosters” I was reminded that Ola School District no longer exists. In 2004, Ola School district merged with several other small districts and Two Rivers School District was born. Living history, as they say.

Ola (Yell County)

On to the recipe!

I picked out Hawaiian Drop Cookies to make. Sounded pretty easy for this rainy afternoon.

Couple Things:

  1. I used a cookie dough scoop. The scoop made it way easier.
  2. I cooked these for 12 minutes and let them sit for a couple of minutes after they came out of the oven.

That’s really it. These are a not so sweet, fluffy cookie but very tasty and perfect with a glass of milk. Yessssss!