50 and DONE!

Well, we certainly have had fun as we traveled through the 50 states!  We have learned a lot - some things trivial, while others important parts of history we missed out on.  As we celebrate the success of our Staycation, it also means that Summer is over!  School starts tomorrow and I am ready for a break.  I have enjoyed the cooking, baking, and blogging, but I think we have done more dishes this Summer than in the past eight and a half years together...maybe not, but it sure seems like it!  I am glad we had the opportunity to spend some time together with a Summer project.  We have done our share of "traveling" on a budget!  Thanks to everyone who has shared this special time with us.  It's official...the Albright Staycation 2014 is complete!

Wyoming...We Made It!

Our Staycation comes to an end with the great state of Wyoming.  It is not a state that we knew much about; however, we have learned a lot!  It was the first state that gave women the right to vote, and is home to Yellowstone, the first official National Park.  It is also home to the first National Monument, and J.C. Penny stores originated there.  Wyoming has the nation's largest coal mine and is the leading producer of coal with 3 million tons per week! 

Wyoming has the lowest population in America, but is 9the largest state...this is the place to go if you don't like neighbors!  Wyoming is known for its agriculture:  cattle, sugar beets, sheep, hay and wheat, and its industry: mining, lumber and wood products, printing and publishing, and surprisingly, tourism!

Wyoming Country Fried Steak and Gravy:

6-8 pieces of cubed steak

1 teaspoon salt

3 eggs, well beaten

1-2 cups flour

1 teaspoon black pepper

2 sleeves Saltine crackers, crushed to make about 4 cups of crumbs

2/3 cup vegetable oil or bacon grease or a combination, for frying

1/2 cup flour

4 cups of milk

Lay each piece of steak on a cutting board, sprinkle with the salt, pepper, and set aside.

On a plate, put the flour,

add the pepper.

Mix.

 

Crack the eggs into a shallow bowl.

Whisk well.

Put the crackers in a zip-lock,

Crush them,

Put them on a plate.

Now it's time for breading!   Dip each steak in this order: egg, flour, egg, crackers.

Here we go...egg (missed this shot),

Flour,

Egg,

Crackers.

Set them aside on a paper plate.

Heat your oil in a large skillet, over high heat.  When it's hot enough, a fleck of cracker crumb will sizzle when tossed in.

Fry as many as you can fit in your skillet without crowding them, probably just two at a time (If you cram too much in there, they will steam instead of fry and your breading will come off.)

Cook for about 3 minutes, then turn and reduce the heat to medium-high.

Cook another 3-4 minutes until you cut into it and it's just barely pink in the middle.  Keep warm if necessary in the oven while you cook the rest.

For the gravy:
When the grease is hot, sprinkle the flour evenly over the grease.

Using a whisk, mix the flour with the grease, creating a golden-brown paste. Add more flour if it looks overly greasy; add a little more grease if it becomes too pasty/clumpy.  Keep cooking until the roux reaches a deep golden brown color.

Pour in the milk, whisking constantly.

Add salt and black pepper to taste and cook, whisking, until the gravy is smooth and thick, 5 to 10 minutes.  Be prepared to add more milk if it becomes overly thick. Be sure to taste to make sure gravy is sufficiently seasoned.

 

 

Serve with mashed potatoes for a true comfort dish...Chad is already talking about adding sausage to the gravy in the morning and serving with biscuits - glad there will be leftovers!



Windows Down In Wisconsin

Wisconsin is our next state to visit on our cooking across the country trip!  Known across the world as the Badger State, Wisconsin also has much to be famous for.  It has over 7,400 rivers and streams which helped create the first hydroelectric plant in the USA.  It is also home to the first practical typewriter, the Troll Capital of the World, the Ginseng Capital of the World, and the nation's largest water-themed park.  Wisconsin is where the nation's first kindergarten was established,  and of course I can't leave out the original Barbie doll was invented there.

Wisconsin is the dairy capital of the United States, and produces more milk than any other state.  It is home to the ice cream sundae, and is the Tubing Capital of the World.  Seems like a very diverse state...you can also find the Hamburger Hall of Fame, and the Swiss Cheese Capital of the World.  Today, we are working with another of Wisconsin's greats...BRATS!

Wisconsin Bratwursts:

1 pound bratwursts
1/2 onion- sliced thin
1/4 cup butter
3 cans of beer
salt and pepper to taste
hot dog buns or hoagie rolls
stone ground mustard

Prick bratwurst with fork to prevent them from exploding as they cook.

Place in a large stock pot,

Add the onions,

Butter,

Beer.

Place pot over medium heat, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.  Preheat grill  (or grill pan if it's raining like it is here today) on medium-high heat.

Lightly oil grate.

Cook bratwurst for 10 to 14 minutes,

Turn occasionally to brown evenly. I added the onion so they would be grilled!

Serve hot off the grill with buns,

Mustard,

Brats,

Onions.

Take a bite and enjoy!

Take Me Home, West Virginia

Our Staycation continues and brings us to West Virginia, home to the world's first brick street.  It is considered the southern most northern state and northern most southern state...so which is it?  Either way, West Virginia is the only state in the USA to have acquired its sovereignty by proclamation of the President.  It is home to the first federal prison exclusively for women, the worlds largest sycamore tree, and the first 4-H camp in the USA.  It has the oldest population of any state - the median age is 40!

West Virginia is the first state to have a state sales tax, and as of 1997, has the lowest crime rate in the country.  It also had the first iron furnace, and one of the first suspension bridges in the world.  West Virginia was the first state to have outdoor advertising, the first electric railroad, and the only residence in the world built completely out of coal.  West Virginia was also the first state to have an African American woman to become a member of a legislative body in the United States!

West Virginia Meatloaf:

For the meatloaf:
1 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 slice bread (broken or chopped finely)

1 egg

1 small Vidalia onions or 1 small type sweet onion - finely chopped

1 teaspoon table salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

4 tablespoons ketchup

1/2-2/3 cup milk

 

For the sauce:

4 tablespoons apple cider

2 -4 tablespoons dark brown sugar, packed firm

1/2 cup ketchup    

 

Add the meat to a mixing bowl,

 

Add onions,

 

Bread,

 

Egg,

 

Ketchup,

 

Salt,

 

Pepper.

 

The next step would be to put mixture in a loaf pan.  Here is what I use - it is a meatloaf pan.

 

Here it is shown separated,

 

It does a great job of allowing the grease to drain rather than building up on the bottom and sides.

 

 

Next, grab a small bowl, add in vinegar,

 

Brown sugar,

 

Ketchup.

 

Mix well.

 

Add to top and sides of the meatloaf.

 

 

Bake at 350°F about 1 hour or until done.

 

Let rest 10 minutes.

Slice and ENJOY!

 

 

 

TIP:  This dish can be prepared ahead of time.  Cook with foil on for 30 minutes, remove, and cook for another hour or until done.