Monthly Cooking Thread, December 2021

[Jamestown1630]

I happened to hit on this Russian Crepe Torte recently – it has chicken, mushroom and cream cheese filings, and looks like a ton of work and time – but I can’t think of a better time than Christmas (or maybe New Year's Eve?) to try out something so extravagant:

"https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/262207/cheese-torte-with-chicken-and-mushroom/

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I have had several cookie-presses – my first one was a Mirro, which I had in the 1960s when I first became interested in cooking. It was all metal, with the giant screw that you had to crank down for each cookie. After that, I had several of the plastic gun-type ones, and they usually broke after a short while.

Recently I had a birthday, and someone gifted me an Italian Marcato ‘biscuit maker’, which is supposed to be the G.O.A.T. of cookie presses. I haven’t had a chance to try it yet, but it’s all metal and very sturdy, and has great reviews.

Here is the Spritz recipe from the little book that came with my old ‘Mirro’ press; I’ve used this since I was a kid, and one of my friends still wants nothing else for Christmas except a box of these cookies:

Quick Mix Spritz

Oven to 375 degrees.

2-1/4 C. sifted all-purpose flour

¾ C. Sugar

½ tsp. Salt

¼ tsp. Baking Powder

1 C. shortening (I suggest butter)

1 Egg

1 tsp. Vanilla (you can also use Almond, Lemon, or whatever you like.)

Sift flour, sugar, salt and baking powder together in a bowl. Cut in your shortening – it should resemble biscuit or pie crust, but very small particles.

Measure the egg in a measuring cup – a large egg should measure ¼ Cup; if it doesn’t, add water to measure ¼ Cup.

Add egg and vanilla to the flour mixture and beat well. Fill your press and press out cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, and remove immediately to a cooking rack.

(You may have to do your dough in portions, while keeping the rest regrigerated. Different cookie presses function differently.)

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I’m not really crazy about turkey at holidays – maybe because I’m so tired from roasting and watching over it and all of the sides. But I love Thanksgiving and Christmas leftovers, and would like to hear your recipes for leftover turkey.

-JT

[Jamestown1630]

This Month, it’s Christmas!

I wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a Good New Year!

-JT

[RushCrush]

I collect vintage Mirro. The cookie press you had was awesome and I likely have one of the same model. Sell them on Ebay here and there too. Love them.

[Jamestown1630]

It’s nice and sturdy, but not as precise and easy to use as the newer ones have been. Most of the latter just haven’t lasted long, so I have great hope for the Marcato.

[BipolarBob]

people still cook? The fast food places are always busy around here. I love cooking but it’s the cleanup I hate. Last night I grilled lamb chops (my favorite), grilled potatoes and a salad. A feast fit for a king. I prefer lamb chops to any other meat including steak.

[Sacajaweau]

My mom had the Mirro....A little difficult to perfect. Mom always called the result...swear cookies. LOL Fond memory...

[Jamestown1630]

I liked lamb when I was a kid, venison too, when the cousins brought it around. Not crazy about either, now.

My husband is a great cook. But he uses every bowl and tool, and leaves them in the sink.

It’s so much easier to just clean everything as you use it. Then, cleanup isn’t so hateful :-)

[Jamestown1630]

I love my Mirro, and I’ll never get rid of it. I know it will still work - somewhat adequately - when all the modern stuff fails. :-)

[lee martell]

You could make a ton of Butter and Shortbread Cookies with that nifty device. At least I think you could.

**Oh, and would you please explain to me what that dish is at bottom of the first photo?
It shows cucumber all nicely sliced and layered on top of some yellow vegetables, maybe yellow squash. It would take a lot of people to demolish that artwork.
Your first topic mentioned was Russian Crepe Torte, but that doesn’t look like any crepe I’ve ever seen before.
As Marvin Gaye sang: “What’s Going On?”

[Sacajaweau]

Always loved my mom's date nut bread...I make it every year in her honor.

And of course...there's snickerdoodles. Put a little red sparkle on them and good to go.

[kalee]

That Russian crepe dish looks delicious!

I have a Rival electric cookie press from the 90s. It’s great!

[Jamestown1630]

I like the crepe dish; but I think I’d go a little more calm on the cucumber topping :-)

I never saw the Rival; glad it’s still working for you.

[Jamestown1630]

It’s a bunch of crepes, piled on top of each other with fillings in between and cucumber decoration on top.

(But you knew that, didn’t you?)

[ptsal]

Bkmk

[lee martell]

Thanks. Actually, no, I didn’t realize that’s what it was.
As I mentioned, I’ve not seen crepes displayed that way until now.

[Jamestown1630]

Layered crepe cakes and tortes are pretty common. Many are sweet, and that’s why I thought this savory one was interesting.

[MomwithHope]

What a way to kick off the thread. That torte looks amazing!

[Liz]

[sweetiepiezer]

Thanks for the thread.

I have a plastic cookies press I got at an estate sale a few years back.
Love making the spritz cookies.

I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[Jamestown1630]

Thanks, and I love your sig.

Not getting old is easy - just keep being a kid, in the ways that really matter :-)