Recipes for the new depression....

I know a lot of you are out of work.  And yes, times are tough.  But I'm here to say that you're going to make it through this.  I was a child of the depression.  I was the third of four children.  Dad worked as a coal miner at the Kimberly mines in Nelsonville, OH, during the depression.  Mom raised the four of us kids while taking in other people's laundry and ironing...and serving as a midwife.

At the age of seven, I was helping out in the kitchen.  I know a lot about putting food on the table...without spending a lot of money.  I've created this blog to share recipes...memories...ideas.  I just want to let you know that somebody is listening, somebody cares...you are not alone.  My generation made it through and so will you!  Please feel free to comment on these posts, or drop me a line via my email:  breadlinebetty@gmail.com.  I'm listening.

Now let's share some recipes:
Back in the day, beans were a staple.  Along with bread, they were an entire meal that helped fill hungry bellies.  (I would have starved to dealth if it wasn't for soup beans!)  Here are recipes for Bean Soup and Homemade Bread.

Bean Soup
1 lb of uncooked Navy Beans (cheaper than pre-cooked canned Navy Beans)
Baking Soda
Ham Hocks (or you can use Bacon)
Many cooks soak their beans over night.  However, here is a faster way:  In a large pot, place 1 pound of Navy Beans.  Cover them with water.  Add a tablespoon of baking soda.  Bring to a boil for a few minutes.  Rinse them off good.

Once the beans are rinsed, put them in a clean pot.  Fill the pot with water so that the beans are covered.  Add ham hocks or bacon.  Once the mixture starts to boild, lower the heat between a simmer and a boil.  Cook until beans and ham hocks are tender.

Home Made Bread
3/4 cup hot water
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup oil
1 pkg yeast
5 cups of presifted flour

Pour water of yeast.  Add sugar, salt and oil.  Slowly stir in flour.  Mix well.  Place mixture in bowl and cover with dish cloth until mixture raises (double in size).  Knead down.  Cut mixture and place in to loaf pans.  Allow to raise.  Place in 350-degree oven.  Bruch top with oil for rich, brown crust. 

Ideal for "dipping" into soup beans!

Enjoy