MELBA’S SWAP SHOP

Use Christmas cards as place mats

DEAR MELBA: My aunt showed me how to make place mats using Christmas cards, and clear and colored contact paper. My husband made me a template out of particle board in a scalloped form.

I use colored paper for the bottom and clear for the top. I place the cards on the template and trim to fit the template. I try to arrange by color or theme. Then place them on the colored paper smoothly so they stick. Cover with clear contact paper. Trim the paper after putting on the cards using the template, or cut the paper with the template before placing the cards. It is a bit time consuming but they turn out well.

— Linda Brookes

Arise, bakers!

DEAR MELBA: Here is my mom’s recipe for SaltRising Bread. I’ve made it, and it is delicious.

SALT-RISING BREAD

1 cup whole milk 2 tablespoons sugar

1 ½ teaspoons salt

1/3 cup white cornmeal 1 cup lukewarm water

4 ¼ cups sifted enriched flour

2 tablespoons melted shortening

Scald milk. Remove from heat, and stir in 1-tablespoon of the sugar, salt and cornmeal. Mix thoroughly and place mixture in large fruit jar or pitcher. Cover and place in a pan of hot water (120 F).

Allow to stand in a warm place 7-to-8 hours or overnight, until it ferments.

Make a soft sponge by adding to the fermented mixture, the water, 2 cups of the flour and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. Beat thoroughly.

Place in hot-water bath (120 F) and allow to rise until full of bubbles. Turn into a large, warm mixing bowl and gradually stir in the remaining flour, or enough to make a stiff dough which won’t stick to your hands, and can be kneaded about 10 minutes.

Divide in half. Shape into loaves and place in generously greased bread pans. Brush loaves with melted shortening. Cover with a light towel and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in size. Bake in 400 F oven for 10 minutes. Reduce to 350 F and bake 30 minutes.

— Jimmie Harned, Moore