Lemon Bars Mrs Wilkes Boarding House Recipes

THE BEST LEMON BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a medium bowl, blend together softened butter, 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup sugar. Press into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until firm and golden. In another bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1/4 cup flour. Whisk in the eggs and lemon juice. Pour over the baked crust.
• Bake for an additional 20 minutes in the preheated oven. The bars will firm up as they cool. For a festive tray, make another pan using limes instead of lemons and adding a drop of green food coloring to give a very pale green. After both pans have cooled, cut into uniform 2 inch squares and arrange in a checker board fashion.

LEMON BARS RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x9 or an 8x8 pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
• Make the crust by creaming the butter with a hand or a stand mixer (fitted with the paddle attachment) until smooth. Add powdered sugar, flour, and salt and mix slowly until the mixture is crumbly but sticks together when you press it between your fingers. Press the crust into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for about 13 minutes, or until it just starts to get a light golden brown around the edges.
• While the crust is baking, whisk the eggs until beaten. Whisk in the sugar, lemon zest, salt, and lemon juice. Pour over hot crust, then continue to bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the mixture is no longer liquid in the center and it's lightly golden brown on top.
• Cool completely before removing from pan. Remove foil, then dust with powdered sugar. Slice and serve, dusting with more powdered sugar as desired.

LEMON BARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the crust, cream the butter and sugar until light in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Combine the flour and salt and, with the mixer on low, add to the butter until just mixed. Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and gather into a ball. Flatten the dough with floured hands and press it into a 9 by 13 by 2-inch baking sheet, building up a 1/2-inch edge on all sides. Chill.
• Bake the crust for 15 to 20 minutes, until very lightly browned. Let cool on a wire rack. Leave the oven on.
• For the filling, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. Pour over the crust and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the filling is set. Let cool to room temperature.
• Cut into triangles and dust with confectioners' sugar.

MRS. WILKES' BOARDING HOUSE BRUNSWICK STEW

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in pan, cover and heat slowly. Salt and more hot sauce may be needed according to taste preferred.
• Makes about 2 quarts.
• Source: Famous Recipes from Mrs. Wilkes' Boarding House - Savannah, Georgia.
• NOTE: Don't forget the preparation time is short because the chicken and potatoes are previously cooked.

MRS. WILKES' BOARDING HOUSE-STYLE BISCUITS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450.
• Sift the flour and baking powder into a mixing bowl and make a well in the center.
• Cut in the shortening and margarine until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.
• Pour the buttermilk and milk into a measuring cup and add enough water to make 3/4 cup.
• Pour this into the dry ingredients.
• Mix lightly and quickly with your hands to form a dough moist enough to leave the sides of the bowl.
• Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
• Knead by turning the dough away from you, pressing down with palms of hands, and pushing the dough away.
• Repeat 6 or 7 times.
• Work the dough into a large ball while kneading. Keep your fingers dry by dipping them into dry flour regularly.
• Pinch off portions of dough and place them on a well-greased baking sheet.
• Press lightly to flatten the biscuits slightly.
• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown on top.

SWEET AND SOUR SAUCE.. MRS. WILKES BOARDING HOUSE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil to dissolve the sugar.
• Serve hot or cold.