Pioneer Cooking

Pioneers such as those who lived during the time of Laura Ingalls Wilder had to totally rely on what they could grow, hunt and build themselves.  They were completely self-reliant even in their cooking. 

Nevertheless, Laura Ingalls Wilder and many others shared some wonderful recipes with their families.  Some of these included the following favorites: 

Johnny Cakes

Supplies:

• 1 cup corn meal
• 1 teaspoon raw sugar
• 1 tbsp. salt
• ½ cup water
• 1 lb. of bacon

Instructions:

1. Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl. 
2. Add the water, until mixed thoroughly, then form patties and set aside.
3. Fry the bacon in a frying pan and set aside.
4. Use the bacon grease to fry the patties.  
5. Set the patties aside to allow grease to drain off of them. 
6. Enjoy! 

Vinegar Pie Recipe

Supplies:

• 1 c. sugar
• 3 heaping tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 1 c. cold water
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 whole egg
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 6 tbsp. vinegar
• 1 (9 inch) pie crust, baked

Instructions:

1. Using a saucepan pour in the dry ingredients.  
2. Add the wet ingredients, reserving the egg yolks.  
3. Cook until thick.  
4. Pour the mixture into an already baked 9-inch pie shell.  

For Meringue:

1. Whip reserved egg whites and sugar until stiff.
2. Pour over pie.  

Lightly brown the meringue.