Baked Acorn Squash
Baked acorn squash is so easy to make and delicious to eat. A true fall comfort food.
INGREDIENTS
1 Acorn Squash
6 Teaspoons Butter
1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
Chopped Pecans (Optional)
Preheat your oven to 350° F. Cut the squash in half and scoop out the seeds and strings. Place in a baking dish with the cut side up. Add a little water to the bottom of the baking dish. Place 3 teaspoons of butter on each half. Salt & pepper each half. Finish off with sprinkling each with the brown sugar and chopped pecans. Bake for 45 minutes until tender. Remove from the oven and serve hot. Serves 2
Pork Enchiladas
Now that the election is over how about whipping up some hearty pork enchiladas. These babies are delicious.
INGREDIENTS
1 Bunch Cilantro
1 Cup Sour Cream
7 Ounces Jalapeno Salsa
7 Ounces Prepared Green Chile Salsa
2 Pounds Cooked & Shredded Boneless Pork Chops
1 Diced Onion
12 Six Inch Flour Tortillas
4 Cups Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
Preheat your oven to 350° F. To make the sour cream mixture puree the cilantro, sour cream, jalapeno salsa and 3 1/2 ounces green chile salsa in either a food processor or blender. Set aside. To make the pork mixture combine the shredded pork, diced onion and remaining green chile salsa in a large size bowl. Mix well. Pour enough of the sour cream mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish to coat the bottom. Place 3 heaping tablespoonfuls of the pork mixture inside each tortilla, roll up and place seam side down in the baking dish. Pour the remaining sour cream mixture over the top. Place the shredded cheese on top and cover the dish tightly with foil. Bake for 30 minutes or until the dish is heated through and bubbling. Remove from the oven and serve hot. Serves 6
Perfect Gravy
The holidays are upon us and everyone needs this perfect gravy recipe. Use the drippings from your roasted turkey and the gravy will be complete.
INGREDIENTS
Drippings From Roasted Turkey
3/4 Cup Turkey or Chicken Broth
1/4 Cup Unbleached Flour
1/2 Cup Milk
1 Teaspoon Chicken Bouillon Granules
1/4 Teaspoon Poultry Seasoning
1/8Teaspoon White Pepper
Pour the drippings into a 2 cup measuring cup. Skim off the excess fat and throw it away. Add just enough broth to the dripping to fill to 2 cups. Pour into a small saucepan and bring to a boil. In a small size bowl combine the flour and milk. Beat until smooth and then gradually pour the flour mixture into the drippings mixture. Stir in the bouillon granules, poultry seasoning and pepper. Bring back up to a boil and stir for 4 minutes. You will want the gravy to be quite thickened. If you need to thin it out a bit just add a small amount of water. Makes about 2 cups.
Mary Todd Lincon Cake
Mary Ann Todd Lincoln (December 13, 1818 to July 16, 1882) was born to a large wealthy Kentucky family. Born in Lexington, Kentucky as the fourth of seven children, Mary was raised in comfort and refinement as well as well educated. Mary was sent at an early age to attend a finishing school owned by Madame Mantelle, where the curriculum concentrated on French and literature. She learned to speak French fluently, studied dance, drama, music and social graces. By the age of 20 she was regarded as witty and gregarious, with an interest in politics. Mrs. Lincoln suffered from migraine headaches and may have actually had bipolar disorder. She supported her husband throughout his presidency and was next to him when he was fatally shot.
Here is the famous Lincoln cake recip. Mrs. Lincoln apparently made this vanilla almond cake for him while they were courting and during their time in the White House.
INGREDIENTS
1 Cup Almonds
1 Cup Butter
1 1/2 Cups Sugar
2 1/4 Cups Unbleached Flour
1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
1 1/3 Cups Milk
6 Egg Whites
Pinch of Salt
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Powdered Sugar
Preheat your oven to 375° F. Grease and flour two 9 inch round layer cake pans or one Bundt cake pan. Grind the almonds into course flour in a food processor. Cream the butter and sugar in a medium size bowl until fluffy. Sift the flour and baking powder to mix them together in a separate bowl. Fold the dry flour mix into the creamed butter mix. Alternate with the milk until well blended. Stir in the almond powder and mix thoroughly. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Add a pinch of salt. Add the vanilla and gently fold the egg whites into the batter with a rubber spatula. Pour the batter into the pans or the Bundt pan and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool for 20 minutes before turning the cakes out of their pans. Allow to completely cook before serving. If you are making layer cake then use jam for the filling. Sift powdered sugar on top. Serves 12
Mamie Eisenhower’s Pumpkin Pie
Mamie Geneva Doud Eisenhower (November 14, 1896 to November 1, 1979) was born in Boone, Iowa, but grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Denver, Colorado along with spending time at the family’s winter home in San Antonio, Texas. Soon after completing her education at Miss Wolcott’s finishing school she met Lieutenant Dwight D. Eisenhower. On Valentine’s Day 1916, five months after the two met, he gave her a miniature of his West Point class ring to seal a formal engagement.
Mrs. Eisenhower was a gracious hostess and entertained an unprecedented number of heads of state and leaders of foreign governments. She was noted for her outgoing manner, but guarded her privacy carefully as she suffered from Ménière's disease which is an inner ear disorder that affects one’s equilibrium.
The First Lady was known as quite the penny pincher who clipped coupons for the White House Staff. Her recipe for “Mamie’s Million Dollar Fudge” was reproduced by housewives all over the country after it was printed in many publications. Here is Mrs. Eisenhower’s recipe for pumpkin pie, however.
INGREDIENTS
1 Baked Pie Shell
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Envelope Gelatin
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 Teaspoon Nutmeg
1 1/2 Cups Cooked Pumpkin
3/4 Cup Milk
3 Egg Yolks
3 Egg Whites
1/4 Cup Sugar
Mix the brown sugar, gelatin, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in top of a double boiler. Stir in the pumpkin and egg yolks. Add the milk. Heat over boiling water until thick. Cool until cold. Beat the egg whites with granulated sugar until firm peaks form. Fold into the pumpkin. Pour into the baked pie shell. Chill. Top with whipped cream to serve. Serves 8
Lady Bird Johnson’s Famous Lemon Cake
Lady Bird Johnson was born Claudia Alta Taylor (December 22, 1912 to July 11, 2007) in Karnack, Texas. She was named for her mother’s brother Claud, but while a baby her nurse commented that she was “purty as a ladybird.” A ladybird is a brightly colored beetle. This nickname replaced her actual first name for her entire life. Her family called her Lady and her husband called her Bird, which was the name she used on her marriage license. Lady Bird Johnson was a lifelong advocate for beautifying the nation’s cities and highways. She is responsible for the Highway Beautification Act and is quoted as saying, “Where flowers bloom, so does hope.” Here is Mrs. Johnson’s recipe for her Famous Lemon Cake
INGREDIENTS
3/4 Cup Softened Butter
1 1/4 Cups Sugar
8 Egg Yolks
2 1/2 Cups Flour
3 Teaspoons Baking Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
3/4 Cup Milk
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 Teaspoon Grated Lemon Rind
1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
Preheat your oven to 325° F. Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks until light and lemon colored. Blend into the creamed mixture. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Resift 3 times. Add the sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture in thirds, alternating with the milk. Beat the batter thoroughly after each addition. Add the vanilla extract, lemon rind and lemon juice. Beat for 2 minutes. Bake in a greased Bundt pan in the oven for 1 hour or until the cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool completely before frosting. Serves 6
Lemon Icing
2 Cups Confectioners’ Sugar
1/4 Cup Softened Butter
Grated Rind Of 1 Lemon
2 Teaspoons Cream (Or More For Spreading Consistency)
Combine the confectioners’ sugar, butter and grated lemon rinds and beat. Add the cream until desired consistency.
Jacqueline Kennedy’s Beef Stroganoff
Often, a First Lady was asked for a recipe with her name on it, usually for charity or for newspapers and magazines. Jacqueline Kennedy was set on serving only the best, especially to visiting dignitaries. Here is her recipe for Beef Stroganoff.
INGREDIENTS
2 Pounds Boneless Beef Sirloin
4 Tablespoons Butter
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
3 Tablespoons Unbleached Flour
2 Cups Beef Broth
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
3 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
1/4 Cup Grated Onions
1/4 Cup Fresh Sliced Mushrooms
Cut the beef into strips. Season the beef with the kosher salt and pepper. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand for 2 hours in a cool place. In a large size skillet, whisk the flour and 3 tablespoons of butter over a low heat until the mixture bubbles and forms a smooth paste. Slowly add the beef broth, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens. Let boil for 2 minutes. Reduce the heat and add the sour cream alternately with the tomato paste. Keep whisking. Simmer slightly for 1 minute. Do not let boil. In a separate skillet, quickly brown the beef, mushrooms and onion in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter over a medium heat. Add the contents of the meat pan to the sauce. Simmer very gently for 20 minutes. Serve over wide noodles. Serves 4
Martha Washington’s Crab Soup
Tiny New York Kitchen will be honoring voting day by sharing with you First Lady recipes. Women's magazines did not exist back in the 1700s, but America's First Lady did have to entertain the President's guests. This recipe has not only survived the centuries, but was a favorite of the Roosevelts and Eisenhowers. Here is Martha Washington’s Crab Soup recipe.
INGREDIENTS
1 Cup Crab Meat
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 1/2 Tablespoons Unbleached Flour
3 Mashed Hard Boiled Eggs
Grated Zest of 1 Lemon
4 Cups Milk
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
1/2 Cup Heavy Cream
1/2 Cup Sherry
Dash Worcestershire
In a large saucepan, combine the butter, flour, eggs, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Boil on low heat and pour the milk in slowly. Add the crabmeat to the milk mixture and gently cook for 5 minutes. Add the cream and remove from the heat before it reaches a full boil. Add the sherry and Worcestershire. Transfer to bowls and serve immediately. Serves 4
Loin of Lamb
Lamb is so easy to make and is always delicious. Serve with a salad and mashed potatoes and you’ve got a great meal for any day of the week. 
INGREDIENTS
1 Pound Tied Boneless Lamb Loin
2 Rosemary Sprigs
1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt
1 Tablespoon Freshly Ground Pepper
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
Preheat your oven to 425° F. Tie the rosemary sprigs to the lamb and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. In a large heavy pan heat the olive oil over a medium high heat. When the olive oil is hot put the lamb loin in the pan fat side down. Be careful to not let the olive oil smoke. Brown the lamb for 10 minutes making sure that you brown on all sides. Place the lamb loin on a roasting pan and put in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit for 8 minutes. Carve the lamb loin into 1 inch slices. Transfer to a serving platter. Serves 2
Onion Potato Gratin
I don’t know where I would be without onions. I put onions in almost everything. Here is a recipe where the humble onion gets to be the star which is sure to become a household favorite.
INGREDIENTS
4 Large Thinly Sliced Onions
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
3/4 Cup Butter
6 Large Sliced Potatoes
1 Cup Cream
3 Sprigs Chopped Rosemary
Preheat your oven to 350° F. In a large size sauté pan place the sliced onions, butter and brown sugar over a low heat. Cook for 40 minutes until caramelized. Stir occasionally. Grease a shallow baking dish with olive oil. Do not peel the potatoes. Just slice them. Place a layer of potatoes in the baking dish and then a layer of onions. Drizzle with the cream and sprinkle with the chopped rosemary. Repeat until all ingredients are used, ending with the onions, cream and rosemary. Bake for 1 hour until the top is golden and bubbly. Serves 4
