Grist Mill
The Indian River Grist Mill is operated by Museum member Virgil White. The name Indian River comes from Virgil's native Missouri. The Grist Mill was originally run at Steam Engine Row (SER) on a steam engine, but due to the SER expansion they had to relocate. The grist mill moved about the Museum for several years before finally being moved to their new permanent location next to the Farmhouse.
The Meadow Mills Company formed around 1900 and has been making mills and related milling equipment since. Our grist mill houses two 24" Meadow Mills grey granite millstones and grinds corn and wheat during our June and October Shows. The stones must be sharpened occasionally to retain the cutting and grinding power inherent to the mill.
Below are recipes from our Farmhouse Cookbook that we hand our when people buy a bag of flour during our Antique Engine and Tractor Shows.
Winchester Nut Bread
A dark, sweet, moist & nourishing whole wheat bread
Makes 2 loaves
½ C Dark Brown Sugar
½ C Molasses
¾ C Milk
1 C White Flour
2 C Whole Wheat Flour
! Tsp Salt
2 ½ Tsp Baking Powder
¾ Tsp Baking Soda
1 C Coarsely Chopped Walnuts
Preheat 275˚. Grease 2 loaf pans. Put the Brown Sugar in a large bowl, add ¾ C cold water and stir until sugar dissolves. Stir in molasses and milk. Then add white and wheat flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda and mix well. Stir in walnuts then spoon into pans and bake 2 hours. Remove from pans and cool racks.
Corn Meal Waffles
Makes 8 waffles.
1 ¾ C White Flour
2 ½ Tsp Baking Powder
2 ½ C Buttermilk
1 C Yellow Corn Meal
1 Tsp Salt
4 Tbs Butter, melted
½ Tsp Baking Soda
3 Eggs, separated
3 Tbs Sugar
Mix all dry ingredients well. In separate bowl beat egg yolks. Add buttermilk and butter then stir to blend. Combine with dry ingredients and mix well. Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry and slowly add sugar, beating until absorbed. Stir a third of the whites into the flour mixture and gently fold the remaining white in. Spoon ½ C waffle batter in a greased hot waffle iron. Bake until golden brown.
Whole Wheat Pancakes
Makes 16 (4 in) pancakes
2 C Whole Wheat Flour
2 Tbs Sugar
3 Tsp Baking Powder
1 Tsp Salt
½ Tsp Soda
2 C Milk
¼ C Oil
2 Eggs
Heat griddle to medium-high heat (400˚F). Combine first 5 ingredients. Add remaining ingredients; beat (stir) just until large lumps disappear. Lightly grease heated griddle. Pour batter, about ¼ C at a time onto hot griddle. Bake until bubbles form and edges start to dry; turn and bake other side.
Cracked Wheat Cereal
1 part cracked Wheat to 3 parts Water.
Soak Cracked wheat in water over night. Simmer for approximately 10 minutes. Stir and add water as needed.
Forgot to soak? Simmer for approximately 20 minutes. Stir and add water as needed.
Microwave? Soak in bowl overnight. Drain any excess water. Add brown sugar and milk. Heat in microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes.
Serve with brown sugar and milk.