Shannon here: Carla Olson Gade shares a recipe for romance from her latest historical romance novella, Proving Up which is included in The Homestead Brides Collection. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing of a copy autographed by all nine authors. Deadline: March 7th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Carla:
Recipe for Romance from Proving Up by Carla Olson Gade:
In my new novella, “Proving Up”, Elsa is cooking Kalops and baking rye bread on her hay burning stove. Everything was a little bit harder then, took a little bit longer, but there was still time for the embers of love to ignite:
“Elsa stirred the Kalops—her traditional Swedish beef stew—simmering on the burner of her stove. The boys would be in soon for the noonday meal. She lifted the towel off one of the loaves cooling on the table, but even the yeasty aroma of the rye bread did nothing to ease the unsettling feelings flitting through her. She flipped the loaf onto the table and placed it on the cutting board. As she worked, she could not help but be reminded that Jesus is the Bread of Life. Hope warmed her heart the way the promise of spring warmed her cold Nebraska winters. The way the Svenske people looked forward to the new sun of May.”
Swedish Beef Stew & Rye Bread Recipe
The Nebraska Pioneers Cookbook
Kalops: Swedish Beef Stew (Serves 8)
Ingredients:
• 1 tbsp butter
• 2 lb chuck roast, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• Salt and pepper
• 5 large carrots, cubed
• 4 cups chopped cabbage
• 6 cups beef stock
• 3 allspice berries
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tbsp sugar
Directions:
1. Heat the butter in a large pot on medium. Season the beef with salt and pepper and brown all sides.
2. Add carrots, cabbage, stock, allspice, and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer and cook on low until the meat is fork-tender, up to 2 hours. Add vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper, and remove bay leaves and allspice. Yield: 8 Servings
Swedish Rye Bread (Yield: 4 loaves, 8 slices each)
Ingredients:
• 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
• 1-3/4 cups warm water (110° to 115°), divided
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2-1/2 cups rye flour
• 3-3/4 to 4-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Directions:
1. In a bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup water. Add sugar, molasses, shortening, salt and remaining water; stir well. Add rye flour; beat until smooth. Add enough all-purpose flour to form a soft dough.
2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours. Punch dough down.
3. Shape into four round loaves. Place on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45-60 minutes. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with butter.
About Carla: Native New Englander Carla Olson Gade writes adventures of the heart with historical roots from her home amid the rustic landscapes of Maine. With seven books in print, she is always imaging more stories and enjoys bringing her tales to life with historically authentic settings and characters. An avid reader, amateur genealogist, photographer, and house plan hobbyist, Carla’s great love (next to her family) is historical research. Though you might find her tromping around an abandoned homestead, an old fort, or interviewing a docent at a historical museum, it’s easier to connect with her online at carlaolsongade.com. Visit Carla’s Pinterest Story Board for “Proving Up.”
About the novella: Proving Up by Carla Olson Gade, The Homestead Brides Collection
Swedeburg, Nebraska, 1886
A young Swedish widow applies her scientific theories to growing trees on the barren Great Plains intruding on a handsome homesteader’s hard work and experience. Will their dreams come to ruin or will love prove their success?
Purchase Link: http://tinyurl.com/provingup
Question: Have you or anyone you know ever cooked on a wood stove or anything besides gas or electric? Share your experience or memories.
Come back March 2nd for Elizabeth Maddrey!
Yes, I have cooked on a wood heater with top removed
Well, not cooking, but I’ve used one of those burners in science class when I was in high school to make a reaction (can’t remember what kind)
It would be fun to cook over a fire. 🙂
Hello Shannon. Thanks so much for having Carla here. I just keep trying to win her new book. Maybe will get lucky at some point. Yes, I knew someone who cooked on a wood stove.. Watch my mother cook on one many times when growing up. My brother had to bring in wood every day. My grandmother also. We even heated hot water for the wash tub where we took our baths. And, most people that I knew used them. We also had wood-burning pot bellied stove in the Living Room for heat in the winter time. But glad I haven’t had to. Please put my name in for a chance to win this book. Know it will be a good one and anxious to read Carla’s Proving Up.
Thanks and GOD bless you both. Maxie
Both of my grandmothers cooked on wood stoves when I was little. I don’t really remember the food, but I remember them warming water on the stove for baths because they didn’t have indoor plumbing.
Wow, that is something that they had to heat the water on the wood stoves. It reminds us that it wasn’t all that long ago that things were much “simpler.”
I have never cooked on anything other than a gas or electric stove. We’ve always had gas though and the first time I used and electric at a relative’s house I was like “O.o What am I supposed to do with this thing…?”
But, with my nice, gas stove, I shall be trying this recipe sometime soon. It looks so yummy!!! 😀
Can’t wait to read this book!!
The only thing I’ve ever cooked on is gas or electric — and I have a hard enough time with that! 🙂
I have a winner! Laura Cynthia Chambers won the drawing. I appreciate Carla for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.