Butter Crescents

Difficulty: ***

Ingredients:
1/2 cup of milk
1/2 cup butter, softened (1 stick)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 package active dry yeast
1/2 cup water (105 degrees - 115 degrees F)
1 large egg
3 1/2 to 4 cups flour
extra butter to spread on rolls

1. In saucepan, heat milk until bubbles appear around edges of pan. Add butter, sugar, and salt. Stir well. Cool to lukewarm (95 to 100 degrees F). Butter does not need to melt. Put in mixing bowl.

2. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until foamy, 5 to 10 minutes.

3. Beat yeast mixture and egg into milk mixture at low speed. Add 2 cups flour at low speed until smooth. Continue beating until thick. Mix in enough remaining flour until dough pulls away from sides of bowl.

4. Dump dough onto a floured surface and knead very gently until smooth and elastic, 2 to 3 minutes. Place in a large greased bowl, turning to coat. Cover loosely with a damp cloth; let rise in a warm place until doubled, 1-2 hours.

5. Punch down dough. On a floured surface, divide dough in half. Cover with a damp cloth and let rest for 10 minutes.

6. Spray two cookies sheets with cooking spray. Using a floured rolling pin, roll 1 half of the dough into a twelve inch circle. Spread a layer of butter on the dough. Cut circle into 6-8 wedges. Starting on the long end, roll up each to the point. Place point down on the cookie sheet. Curve ends to form crescents. Repeat with other dough half.

7. Cover loosely with a damp cloth; let rise in a warm place for approximately 30-45 minutes.

8. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake until golden - about 15 minutes. Check between 7- 10 minutes. These sometimes turn golden faster than 15 minutes and can burn. Can be covered with foil if they are too brown.

Tips:
Knead dough very gently on these. It keeps the rolls tender.
Remember not to omit the salt. Salt activates the yeast.

Onion and Apple Pork Chops

Difficulty: **

Ingredients:
1/2 onion, chopped
2 apples, peeled and sliced
4-8 Tablespoons of butter
1/4 to 1/2 cup brown sugar
4-6 pork chops, medium thickness

Place 4 tablespoons butter in skillet with burner on medium high. Let melt. Chopped onion and saute for 1-2 minutes. Add pork chops and lightly brown on both sides. Add 2 more tablespoons of butter and brown sugar. Mix brown sugar with the butter until it's a runny paste. Swirl through frying pan to coat pork chops. Turn down heat to medium. Add sliced apples. Turn chops frequently and stir apples. Don't let stick to the bottom of pan. Let cook until pork chops are done and apples are tender. Serve with mashed potatoes or rice.

You Can Cook: Mashed Potatoes

Difficulty: *

Ingredients:
4 potatoes
milk or buttermilk

1. Using a potato peeler, remove the skin from the potatoes.
2. Cut peeled potatoes into quarters to allow faster cooking.
3. Place potatoes in a 2 quart saucepan and cover with water. Add a touch of salt.
4. Turn burner onto high until potatoes boil, then turn down to medium low.
5. Cook for approximately 20-30 minutes. Watch carefully so the pan does not boil dry or potatoes stick to the bottom.
6. Test with a fork. If the fork slides in very easily, potatoes are done. Test several spots.
7. Drain water off. Dump potatoes into a bowl.
8. Use a potato masher to mash to potatoes until there are no chunks.
9. Add 3-4 tablespoons of milk and mash some more until smooth.

Tips:
1. To make whipped potatoes: Use a mixer and beat potatoes on low until smooth. Add milk to improve consistency if necessary.
2. You can add other ingredients to potatoes to spice them up: 1/2 cup cheddar cheese makes cheesey potatoes, 1 teaspoon garlic salt and 2 tsps butter makes garlic potatoes. Use your imagination.