Bisquick, Grandma’s Convenience Food

Few cooks today remember the time before Bisquick. Undoubtedly it was one of the first convenience foods. I’m sure “young” cooks of the day received many a lecture from their elders for using it. Has it given way to the pre-baked and frozen ready to bake variety of biscuit? Not at all, in fact there are many copycats calling themselves baking mix, biscuit mix, and other names but the product with in is similar. No longer just for biscuits and pancakes, bisquick and its look a like’s have opened up a whole new world of baking from one of the numerous “impossible pie” recipes to desserts and main dishes Bisquick is still referred to at our house as Grandma’s Convenience food. But I smile to myself, thinking laugh if you like, as my children and grandchildren dig into a big bowl of strawberry shortcake, where the shortcake is nothing more than “bisquick." Impossible Cheeseburger Pie 1 lb. ground beef 1 1/2 c. chopped onion 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper 1 1/2 c. milk 3/4 c. Bisquick mix 3 eggs 2 tomatoes, sliced 1 c. shredded Cheddar cheese Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease pie plate (10 x 1 1/2 inch). Brown beef and onion; drain and pour into prepared pie plate. Mix bisquick, salt and pepper, and eggs with milk beat until smooth, 1 minute with hand mixer or whisk. Pour into plate. Bake 25 minutes. Top with tomatoes and sprinkle with cheese. Bake until knife inserted in center comes out clean, 5-8 minutes. Cool 5 minutes. Serves 6-8 people. This pie makes actually makes its own crust. Change it up a bit and serve as a Breakfast Pie Substitute the hamburger with sausage, substitute the tomatoes with a layer of boiled and shredded potatoes before topping with the cheese and you have a hearty breakfast. Change it again for a Fun Dessert Omit the beef , onion and tomato, replace with 4 cups sliced tart apples, add 1 tsp.cinnamon, ½ sugar, and ½ cup of plumped raisins (plump by covering raisins with ½ cup of water and bring to a boil, remove from heat cover and let set until waster is absorbed)