Some of the foods we eat today had their origins in ancient India and the lands around it. The combination of spices that make up curry power originated in India. Curry is a combination of turmeric, cumin, coriander, and red pepper. In India curry dishes are still popular.
Cook rice according to the package instructions. Mix flour, curry, ginger, and salt. Dredge chicken in flour mixture. Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in skillet on medium heat. Brown chicken on all sides in butter. Remove chicken and keep warm. Add remaining 1 Tbsp. butter to skillet. Stir in
- ¼ cup flour
- 4 chicken breasts cut into strips
- 2 tsp. curry powder
- 3 Tbsp. butter (divided)
- ¼ tsp. ground ginger
- 1½ cup evaporated milk
- ¾ tsp. salt
- 1 cup uncooked rice
Copyright 2016, Golden Prairie Press
Reprinted from Heroes, Heroines, and Tales of Ancient History.
Cook Up Some History – Pioneer Beans
During the 1800s the west was rapidly expanding. Pioneers were constantly moving west. Most of the pioneer life was revolved around food. The pioneers spent a great deal of time clearing land, sowing seeds, tending crops, harvesting, and storing their food. Their entire existence depended on their ability to make the food they needed to survive. As an area became more populated, stores popped up, and they sold essential items thus reducing the need for some of the work, but still pioneer life was hard.
Cooking was done over an open fireplace or campfire when they were moving to a new area. Even with these primitive accommodations pioneer women and girls were able to make tasty dishes that filled hungry bellies. While they would have used fresh or dried beans and probably fresh or dried meat, this recipe uses modern ingredients such as canned beans. A similar recipe to this is still made in homes today.
- ½ lb. hamburger
- ½ lb. bacon
- ¼ cup onions
- 1 can kidney beans
- 1 can pork and beans
- 1 can butter beans
- 1 Tbsp. sugar
- 1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
- ¼ cup catsup
- ¼ cup mustard
- 2 Tbsp. molasses
Brown hamburger and drain. Cook bacon and crumble into bits. Sauté onions in 2 Tbsp. of grease. Partially drain the beans; mix with the hamburger, bacon, and onions. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix in remaining ingredients. Bake in a greased 2-quart baking dish at 350° for 1 hour. May be served on rice.
Copyright 2014, Golden Prairie Press
Reprinted from Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History