Beaten biscuits, Orange cake & 4th of July trivia

7/4/12 Cook’s Corner

Betty Kaiser

Today is the day we celebrate the birth of the United States of America. I don’t imagine that many of you are going to read a recipe column. Instead, you’ll be packing picnic lunches and headed for the beach or county parks. Or maybe you’ll stay home and host a BBQ dinner. Either way, I imagine that your menu is pretty well set.

So instead of just talking about food, I’m going to start out today’s column with some Fourth of July Trivia questions to challenge you and your guests’ patriotic knowledge about this important day in our history. The answers follow.

FOURTH OF JULY 20 QUESTIONS TRIVIA QUIZ

1.    The Declaration of Independence begins with what words?

2.    What document was the legal framework of the U.S.?

3.    Who wrote the words to the Star Spangled Banner?

4.    How did the Liberty Bell get its crack?

5.    How many starts were on the first United States flag?

6.    In what year did Congress recognize the Pledge of Allegiance?

7.    Where was the first capitol located?

8.    What city was the Liberty Bell located in?

9.    Which two patriots died on July 4, 1826?

10. Who was the first signer of the Declaration of Independence?

11. Who do historians believe sewed the first official American flag?

12.The first 10 amendments to the Constitution are known as what?

13.Whose signature is largest on the Declaration of Independence?

14.What do the colors red, white and blue stand for?

15.Who said, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal”?

16.How tall is the Statue of Liberty?

17.How many people signed the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776?

18.Is it true or false that the Declaration of Independence wasn’t completely signed until August 2, 1776?

19.Finish this statement: Life, Liberty and ––– ––––– ––– –––––.

20.Finish this statement: One Nation under –––––––––––.

QUIZ ANSWERS

1.    When in the course of human events…

2.    The Constitution.

3.    Francis Scott Key.

4.    It cracked the first time it was rung.

5.    Thirteen stars and stripes.

6.    1942

7.    Carpenter’s Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

8.    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

9.    John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.

10. John Hancock.

11. Betsy Ross.

12. The Bill of Rights.

13. John Hancock.

14. According to usflag.org, the original colors did not have meanings when it was adopted in 1777.

15. Thomas Jefferson.

16. 151 ft.

17. Only two: Charles Thomson, Secretary and Thomas Jefferson, President, of the Continental Congress.

18. True. The original signed manuscript was lost and a total of 56 delegates returned to Philadelphia to sign new copies of the original document.

19. …the pursuit of happiness.

20. …under God.

Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, I’ll share some very old and very traditional recipes from “The Early American Cookbook” by Hyla O’Connor. She adapted the recipes for modern 20^th century cooks from the time of the Revolution when homes and farms were largely self-sustaining. The variety of foods in that era is amazing.

My favorite recipe is the one for beaten biscuits. The biscuits are split, buttered and sandwiched with thin slivers of Smithfield Ham. When you read the recipe you will be shocked at how much muscle it took to prepare this popular cold supper in Virginia and the Carolinas. Remember that leavening was not easily available but several pairs of sturdy hands and arms were available to share the beating task.

And since we’re talking about picnic foods on this Fourth of July, a Colonial Williamsburg Orange Cake sounds mighty tasty and easily portable. It goes together rather quickly and uses modern methods, so you’ve got time to make it. Happy Fourth of July!

BEATEN BISCUITS

2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

2 tablespoons lard

1/3-1/2 cup water.

Pre-heat oven to 325° F.

Sift together flour, salt and sugar. Cut in lard with two knives until mixture is blended. Stir in enough water to make a stiff dough. Knead together thoroughly. Place dough on a flat surface and beat with a heavy mallet, the flat side of an axe (!) or other heavy object for 30 minutes or until dough is elastic.

The dough may also be kneaded with hands until it pops with every pressure of the hand, which will take about 30 minutes. Form pieces of dough into small balls, about the size of walnuts. Flatten each with a rolling pin and prick the center with a fork. Place on a baking sheet and bake 30-35 min. or until lightly browned.

WILLIAMSBURG ORANGE CAKE

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1-2/3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup sour milk or buttermilk

1 cup chopped dark seedless raisins

1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

1 tablespoon orange peel

Orange Wine Icing

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Grease and flour 8-inch square baking pan. Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In a small bowl blend flour, baking soda and salt. Add to butter mixture alternately with sour milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Blend well after each addition. Stir in raisins, walnuts and orange peel. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Bake 45-50 min. or until cake tester comes out clean when inserted in center of cake. Cook in pan on wire rack for 10 min. Remove from pan and cool thoroughly on wire rack. When cool, frost as below.

ORANGE WINE ICING

2 cups unsifted powdered sugar

2/3 cup softened butter

1 tablespoon grated orange peel

2 tablespoons cream sherry (or cream)

Mix together sugar, butter and orange peel until well blended. Add sherry and beat until smooth. Use to frost above cake.

Keep it simple and keep it seasonal!

Betty Kaiser’s Cook’s Corner is dedicated to sharing a variety of recipes

 that are delicious, family oriented and easy to prepare.