Louisa May Alcott's Apple Slump

4 to 6 tart apples (3 cups sliced)
1/4 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 t. nutmeg
1/4 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. salt
1 1/2 c. flour
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg (well beaten)
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. melted butter
Pare, core, and slice the apples.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease with butter the inside of a 1 1/2 quart baking dish.  Put into the dish the sliced apples and brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and 1/4 t. salt.  Bake apples uncovered until they are soft, about 20 minutes.  While the apples are baking, sift together into a bowl the flour, baking powder, 1/2 t. salt and sugar.  Mix into this the beaten egg, milk and melted butter.  Stir gently  Spread this mixture over the apples and continue baking--until the top is brown and crusty (abt 25 minutes)  Serve with whipped cream.  Serves 6 

from Orchard House, Concord, Massachusetts
Orchard House, 19th century home of the Alcotts was the setting for Little Women.  Today the house is a National Historic Landmark visited by people worldwide.  It's worth the time to go!

Quinoa Salad (like Flat Iron Grill's)

Arugula
Goat Cheese
Quinoa
Dried Currants
Minced  onion, cucumber, and pepper

Dressing
3-4 T. Champagne vinegar (could use Trader's Joe's)
2 T. toasted walnuts (ground)
1/2 c. olive oil
Stone ground mustard
shallots
1 T. or more lemon juice
salt and pepper

Play Dough (for hours of fun--not to eat)

PLAY DOUGH RECIPES, MODELING CLAY, AND PASTE

Play Dough
3 c. flour
1 c. salt
1 1/4 c. cold water
1 T. cooking oil
food coloring, if desired

or

2 T. alum
1 T. oil
1 c. salt
4 cups flour
2 cups cold water
food coloring, if desired

This is a dough that can be made by children.  Mixing and kneading is fun for them.  Let them do it.  Store in refrigerator after it is made.

Play Clay
Small amount
2 c. backing soda ( 1 1 lb box)
1 c. cornstarch
1 1/4 c. cold water

Large amount
3 lbs. soda
1 lb. cornstach
1 qt of water

1.  Whisk together the baking soda and cornstarch in saucepan.
2.  Mix in water and bring to boil, stirring constantly
3.  Cook a minute longer or until mixture resembles moist, mashed potatoes.
4.  Remove immediately from the heat (overcooking makes clay crumbly) and turn onto a plate
5.  Cower with a damp cloth and when cool, knead (knead as soon as it is cool enough to handle.)
6.  Store in plastic bag.

Modeling Clay

1 c. salt
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. cornstarch mixed with 1/2 c. cold water.

1.  Mix the 1 cup salt and the 1/2 cup water and simmer two minutes>
 2.  Mix the 1/4 c. cornstarch with 1/2 cup cold water.  Add the hot salt water mixture to the cornstarch mixture.
3.  Stir very hard.
4.  When cool enough, knead to bring to proper consistency for modeling.

Paste
1 t. flour
2 t. cornstarch
1/4 t. alum
3 oz. water

1.  Mix dry ingredients and add water.
2.  Cook in double boiler until it thickens
3.  Keep covered.  Makes 1/3 c.  Thin with water, if necessary.


Favorite French Dressing from Kaye Calvert

1 c. ketchup
2/3 c. vinegar
1 c. oil
1/2 c. sugar
1 med. chopped fine onion
1 whole chopped fine garlic
Juice 1/2 lemon
1 t. salt
1 t. paprika
1 t. dry mustard
pepper to taste

Put in quart jar and shake well.  Or put in blend tec and blend well.  Season 24 hours and enjoy on salad.