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
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.
Hurricane Fudge
Today is the perfect day to make fudge that is if you still have power. Since most of us are stuck inside these next couple of days while Hurricane Sandy makes her way through our communities why not try out this easy fudge recipe. Hunker down and eat fudge!
INGREDIENTS
2 Cups Sugar
2/3 Cup Evaporated Milk
12 Regular Size Marshmallows
1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter
1/8 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
8 Ounces Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1 Cup Chopped Nuts – Optional
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Prepare an 8×8 inch pan by greasing with butter. Set aside. In a large size saucepan combine the sugar, evaporated milk, marshmallows, butter and salt. Cook over a medium heat and stir constantly until the mixture is bubbly. Boil and stir for 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate chips. Stir until completely melted. Add the chopped nuts, if you are using nuts, and the vanilla. Spread into the greased pan and place in the fridge for 5 hours. Remove from the fridge and cut into squares. Makes about 2 dozen pieces of fudge.
Pumpkin Bread French Toast
After you’ve made my delicious pumpkin bread and if you have any to spare turn it into French toast. I’ve made it twice this weekend and trust me it’s a fall weekend morning treat.
INGREDIENTS
4 Pieces Pumpkin Bread
4 Eggs
1/4 Cup Half & Half
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
2 Teaspoons Sugar
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/2 Cup Butter
Maple Syrup
In a large size heavy skillet heat 1/2 cup butter over a medium low heat. In a medium size shallow bowl mix together the eggs, half & half, cinnamon, sugar and vanilla. You will want the bowl to be shallow enough to fit all of the bread. Soak the slices of bread for about 2 minutes per piece. The butter should be hot, but not smoking. Place all four pieces into the skillet and turn the heat up to a medium heat. Cook for 5 minutes per side or until golden brown. Be careful not to brown too quickly as you want the inside to have time to cook. Remove from the skillet and transfer to a serving plate or individual plates. Serve with a pat of cold butter and warmed maple syrup. Serves 2
Butterscotch Oatmeal Blondies
I have always been in love with butterscotch. These Butterscotch Oatmeal Blondies are super easy to make and won’t last long in your household.
INGREDIENTS
1 1/4 Cups Unbleached Flour
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 Cup Softened Butter
3/4 Cup Sugar
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
3 Large Eggs
2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
3 Cups Old-Fashioned Oats
1 2/3 Cups Butterscotch Chips
Preheat your oven to 350° F. In a medium size bowl combine the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside. In a large size bowl beat the eggs for 1 minute. Add the softened butter, the sugars and the vanilla. Beat for another minute. Slowly add the flour mixture and beat for 30 seconds. Add the oats and butterscotch chips and mix until just combined. Line a 13 x 9 oblong pan with parchment paper or prepare the pan by greasing it. I like using parchment paper though. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 45 minutes or until done. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before cutting into squares. Makes about 2 dozen bars.
Banana Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes
If you want a cupcake that will please a crowd then look no further. These cupcakes are great as a snack or for dessert.
INGREDIENTS
1/2 Cup Softened Butter
1 Cup Sugar
2 Eggs
3 Medium Mashed Ripe Bananas
1/4 Cup Buttermilk or Sour Milk
3 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
2 Teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice
2 Cups Cake Flour
1 1/2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/8 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
Frosting:
2 Cup Confectioners’ Sugar
1/2 Cup Softened Butter
2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
3 Tablespoons Milk
Preheat your oven to 350° F. In a large size bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time. Beat well after each egg is added. Add the mashed bananas, buttermilk, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice. Beat well. In a medium size bowl combine the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda and kosher salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet mixture. Mix well. Pour the batter into paper lined muffin cups two thirds full. Bake for 20 minutes until done. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack. Remove from the muffin cups and let cool completely on wire racks. For the frosting: In a large size bowl, beat the confectioners’ sugar and butter until fluffy. Beat in the vanilla and the milk. Pipe the frosting over the cupcakes. Makes 1 1/2 dozen
Date & Apple Salad
Sometimes it's nice to have a "meaty" salad for lunch or dinner.
INGREDIENTS
3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Diced Red Onion
1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
1/2 Cup Pitted & Sliced Dates
1 Head Frisee Lettuce
4 Cups Spinach
1 Sliced Apple
1/2 Cup Chopped Pistachios
1 Sliced Pear
2 Sliced Radishes
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
In a small size bowl mix the olive oil, vinegar, onion and Dijon mustard. Set aside. Cut the frisee lettuce into bite size pieces. In a large size mixing bowl add the dates, lettuce, spinach, apples, pistachios, pears, radishes, salt and pepper. Mix the salad and then toss with the dressing. Serve immediately. Serves 4
