The Bottoms

This was so interesting to me.  When our Germans from Russia ancestors settled in Lincoln, Nebraska, they settled in the bottoms.  It was an area that was in the flood plain, so they were occasionally flooded.  They settled there because the land was cheaper.  Their lots were very narrow because two houses would share a single lot to save money.  I loved seeing the tidy little homes built by them.

Top Pick

The food demonstrations are always a favorite for me.  This one was so entertaining that I think these men should be on television.  Truly. Not only that, but they shared the top secret family recipe along with family stories.  I loved it!  Steve Loos shared some of the following memories, which are retold with his permission.  

His recipe for Blinna was given to him by his 11 year old sister when he returned from the Navy in 1968.  It was handwritten by her. The recipe is from his grandmother, Katherine Loos, from Norka, Russia.  Steve remembers special family breakfasts with many people, where the Blinna was served. In fact, they still have them about five times a year. The sponge would be started on Christmas Eve so it would be ready for Christmas morning. His aunt would also take a big cast iron skillet to the park in the evening and cook Blinna for the family.

Blinna

1 cake yeast
1/4 cup warm water
4 cups flour
3 cups warm water
2 beaten eggs
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder

Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water.  Add flour and three cups warm water.  Let sponge stand four hours.  Add the remaining ingredients. If mixture is too thick add warm milk to thin.

They were artists at cooking this.  When they poured the batter in the hot pan, they rolled it around till it came up a little on the side.  Then when it was ready to turn, they just flipped it.  Amazing and delicious!

* Just as a note of interest... Steve, Nancy, Jake and Kelly Loos have an antiques business, Loos Antiques, in Lincoln, Nebraska.  They sometimes obtain items of the Germans from Russia.  If you are interested in finding something or just want to learn from them, they would be a good resource.

Highlights from Lincoln Convention