February 24, 1955 Pastry Mix, Pecan Squares, Special Meat Loaf, French Fried Potatoes in the Oven

Pastry Mix

8 c. flour
1 T. salt
1 pound lard or vegetable shortening

Sift flour and salt, cut in lard or shortening as for pie crust until mixture resembles fine meal and some pieces of fat are the size of peas. Pack into tightly closed jar or can. Store in cool place or refrigerator.

To use pastry mix:

For 1 crust pie use 1 1/4 c. pastry mix and about 3 T. cold water.
For 2 crust pie use 2 1/2 c. pastry mix and about 5 T. cold water.

Note: If you are using vegetable shortening such as Fluffo you may have a richer pastry by using 7 c. of flour instead of 8 c.

Pecan Squares

2 1/2 c. pastry mix
5 T. water
1/4 c. sugar
1 c. dark corn syrup
3 eggs, well beaten
1/4 c. butter
1 t. vanilla
1 c. pecans, broken

Combine pastry mix with water. Turn out onto floured pastry cloth or board and roll to 1/8 inch thickness. Line a 9 x 9 x 1 1/2 inch pan with pastry, let pastry come up sides of pan. Flute the top edge. Combine sugar and syrup and cook to 230 degrees or until syrup spins a thread. Pour hot syrup slowly on eggs, beating constantly. Add butter, vanilla and nuts. Pour into pastry lined pan. Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes. Cut into squares; serve warm or cold, topped with whipped cream. These may be made a day ahead of time. Store in a cool place.

Special Meat Loaf

1/2 c. onion, chopped
3/4 c. celery, diced
1/4 c. butter
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1 T. salt
2 eggs
3 c. soft bread crumbs
1/2 c. water
2 pounds ground beef
1/2 c. tomato juice
2 T. butter, melted

Brown onions and celery in 1/4 c. butter or shortening. Combine with green pepper, salt, eggs, bread crumbs and water to make a stuffing. Add 1 1/2 c. of the stuffing to meat, mixing well. Pat out 1/2 of the meat mixture in loaf pan. Cover with remaining stuffing, then top with remaining meat mixture. Bake at 375 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Baste two or three times during baking with tomato juice and butter which have been mixed together. Serves 10 to 12.

French Fried Potatoes in the Oven

Select one medium or large potato for each person to be served. Pare potatoes and cut them into strips. Place the strips in single layers in shallow pan, sprinkle with salt; pour 1/4 c. melted shortening over 8 prepared potatoes. Bake at 375 degrees (with meat loaf) for 40 to 45 minutes until golden brown. Serve piping hot.