Wheat Sticks & Memories

Foods can be connected to memories. And certain foods become a part of a family heritage. Sometimes we carry on these traditional foods or recipes when we leave the our childhood and teen years to start our own home. Even if we develop our own traditional family recipes, the old ones always elicit a warm response. Today I've been looking through the recipe book I created when I was barely 20. In it are many of the traditional recipes of my early years. Here's one that my mother, or my sister, or I would enjoy making on a Friday afternoon. It's easy, nutty, and a nice alternative for bread with soup, salad, or breakfast.

Mom's Wheat Sticks

1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
3 Tbsp. brown sugar
3 1/3 Tbsp. vegetable shortening*
1/2 cup nuts, chopped OR unsweetened macaroon coconut
5 Tbsp. milk
1/2 tsp. salt

Combine all ingredients, using only enough milk to make a stiff dough. Knead thoroughly. Then, roll out to a uniform thickness of 1/4 inch. Cut into strips of 1 x 3 inches. Bake on a cookie sheet or baking stone at 300 degrees F. for 35 - 40 minutes.

Makes 20 - 25 wheat sticks.

For variety, add cinnamon or cardamon. Or leave out the coconut and add dried herbs, garlic powder, or onion powder instead. Adding tomato juice instead of milk will give a "cheesy" flavor.

*Olive oil can be substituted for vegetable shortening. I always use this alternative.

This is a delicious cracker to enjoy with tea!

Linking today to Rose Chintz Cottage. Thanks, Sandi!