The NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers return to short track racing at the historic Martinsville Speedway for Chase Race No. 7 this weekend.
Most associate Martinsville with their eponymous hot dogs and this entry last spring dedicated itself to that very topic. But Virginia offers far more than the Speedway’s dog.
As the temperatures continue to drop and the autumn days lose sunlight, a hearty and toasty drink is a great way to warm up and revitalize.
Old Virginia Wassail Cider
Recipe found on http://allrecipes.com/recipe/old-virginia-wassail-cider/detail.aspx
"A quick and delicious hot cider drink - Great for cold weather entertaining. Always a big hit with young and old! Cloves can be placed into cheesecloth or teabag infuser for easy removal if desired. A cinnamon stick in each cup makes a nice garnish." - CUTES12
Ingredients:
Original recipe makes 15 servings
2 quarts apple cider
2 cups orange juice
1 (46 fluid ounce) can pineapple juice
2 (3 inch) cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon whole cloves
1/2 cup honey
Directions:
In a large stock pot over medium heat, combine the apple cider, orange juice, pineapple juice, cinnamon sticks, cloves and honey. Bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat, or transfer to a slow cooker to keep warm while serving. Strain out cinnamon sticks and cloves before serving if desired.
Nothing smells better than bread baking in a house. This recipe is for rolls that will take a bit of extra effort to create, but the outcome is far worth it!
Virginia Clise Bread
Recipe found on http://allrecipes.com/recipe/virginia-clise-bread/detail.aspx
"These are by far the best rolls I've ever had! My neighbor's mom makes these and passed the recipe along. They are scrumptious! This recipe makes a lot of rolls. You can freeze the dough after forming into rolls." – SAXYBONE
Ingredients:
Original recipe makes 40 rolls
3 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
1/2 cup sugar
6 cups warm water
1 cup shortening, melted
2 teaspoons salt
5 pounds all-purpose flour
Directions:
In a large bowl, stir yeast into 1 cup warm water to dissolve. Stir in 1/4 cup sugar. In a separate large bowl, stir salt into 5 cups warm water to dissolve; stir in shortening and remaining 1/4 cup sugar. After yeast foams, stir salt mixture into yeast mixture.
Mix in the 1/2 of the flour, and then mix in remaining flour 2 cups at a time, beating well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic.
Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
Form the dough into approximately 30 to 40 rounds. Place on lightly greased baking sheets. Cover the rolls with a damp cloth, and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Bake rolls in preheated oven 15 to 20 minutes, or until brown. Serve warm.
To serve with the bread which is wont to sop things up, a stew is always perfect. This one is ideal for the time of year and the above recipes.
Aunt Dot’s Brunswick Stew
Recipe found on http://allrecipes.com/recipe/aunt-dots-brunswick-stew/detail.aspx
"This recipe is adapted from a recipe shared by our Aunt Dot. The ground turkey makes it healthier, although ground beef can be used instead. Can be made in a slow cooker for an easy yummy meal! Good Virginia cooking!" – Karen
Ingredients:
Original recipe makes 6 servings
2 cups water
2 potatoes, diced
1 onion, chopped
1 (15 ounce) can peas, drained
1 (15.25 ounce) can whole kernel corn, with liquid
2 (14.5 ounce) cans peeled and diced tomatoes with juice
1 pound ground turkey
4 slices bacon, diced
3 teaspoons salt, or to taste
3 teaspoons ground black pepper, or to taste
3 teaspoons garlic salt, or to taste
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (optional)
Directions:
Bring water to boil in a saucepan; add potatoes, and boil until tender (about 15 minutes).
Pour the potatoes and the water used to boil them into a large pot. Stir in onion, peas, corn, tomatoes, ground turkey, and bacon. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the salt, pepper, garlic salt, and sugar. If stew appears too watery, stir together flour and some of the stew liquid in a small cup, and then stir mixture into the stew. Continue cooking for 1 hour.
Finally, as always, a sweet treat is needed to end this and any meal! Apples are still in season so what better way to utilize the ones you picked at the orchard, farmer’s market, or supermarket than this scrumptious dessert.
Virginia Apple Pudding
Recipe found on http://allrecipes.com/recipe/virginia-apple-pudding/detail.aspx
"This is a wonderful old family recipe served warm, topped with vanilla ice cream." - LAURIE NANNI
Ingredients:
Original recipe makes 6 servings
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup white sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
2 cups chopped, peeled apple
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
In a small baking dish, combine butter, sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, and milk until smooth.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine apples and cinnamon. Microwave until apples are soft, 2 to 5 minutes. Pour apples into the center of the batter.
Bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until golden.
I hope you enjoyed this tour of Virginia – we’ve had several this year!
Next week Tantalizing Thursday is on November 1st which means this is the last one before Halloween. Check the archives – the search feature is located on the upper left hand side of this page – for Halloween-themed Tantalizing Thursdays for great ideas for fun and delicious foods.
Enjoy the race from Martinsville! And remember, if you are at the track this weekend, the Martinsville Hot Dog is still your best bet!
Please join me tomorrow for the interactive and ever-popular Friday Music Blog on Chief 187™Chatter.
That cider drink looks delish! Since we don't have the leaves changing here, that beverage would evoke the spirit of a "real" fall.
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