Jan 8, 2009

Plum Cake

Plum cake is a Christmas tradition in my family. I think it tastes even better the next day.

Beat together:
  • 2 c self rising flour (or flour + 1/2 tsp. soda)
  • 2 c sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 cup vegatable or soy oil
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 jars plum baby food (sm. size)
Grease a bunt pan, pour mixture in and bake at 325° F for 1 1/4 hours, or until pick comes out clean.

Icing: Mix powdered sugar and lemon juice to desired consistency and ice while cake is cooling. For maximum moist and sugary deliciousness, poke small holes in the top of the cake before icing to allow icing to seep in.

Jan 6, 2009

Cheese, Onion and Bread Souffle


This recipe is from Real Simple. It's not! But it's a fun use for old bread - savory, fluffly, hot, delicious!

Ingredients:
2 Tbs. butter, plus more for the dish
10 slices (about 10 ounces) stale soft white or sourdough bread, crusts removed and torn into ½-inch pieces
2 cups hot milk
1 small onion, sliced
4 eggs, separated
7 ounces Swiss cheese, grated
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1 pinch ground cayenne pepper

Preheat oven to 400° F. Butter a 2 - 2 ½ quart soufflé dish; set aside. Place bread in a shallow bowl and pour the milk over it. Set aside until the liquid is absorbed.

Melt the 2 Tbs. of butter in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onion and sauté until tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Mash the bread with your hands or a spoon and stir in the onions. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, cheese, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and cayenne. Pour the mixture over the bread, stirring until well combined. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form, then gently fold them into the bread mixture in 3 additions. Transfer to the soufflé dish and bake until golden and firm, 45-50 min.

Jan 3, 2009

Roasted Sweet Potatoes


I don't actually know the difference between sweet potatoes and yams, but according to my mom, who's perfected this recipe over many years, YAMS are more delicious.
  • Scrub yams and poke holes using a fork
  • Place yams on a cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil
  • Cook at 400°F until yams are soft (about an hour)
Serve with brown sugar and butter.