Thursday, December 23, 2010

Cranberry Pound Cake


This recipe I dazzled my mother-in-law and east coast family with when I first met them... delicious and moist.

2 c sugar
1/2 c butter
8 oz package cream cheese
3 eggs
1 egg white
3 c flour
2 c cranberries or blueberries
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 (8oz) lemon yogurt
2 tsp vanilla extract

1 c powdered sugar
8 tsp lemon juice

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

Beat first 3 ingredients, add eggs one at a time.
Combine 2 Tbl flour + 2 Tbl sugar in separate bowl and coat berries.
Combine remaining flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix into eggs and butter mixture alternating with yogurt- beginning and ending with flour. Fold in berries and vanilla.

Bake for 1 hour 10 minutes. remove from pan.

Mix lemon juice and powder sugar. Drizzle over warm cake and serve

Honeybun Cake


A great Sunday morning treat!

1 box mix yellow cake
4 whole eggs
1 c sour cream
3/4 c vegetable oil

1 c light brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon

2 c powdered sugar
6 Tbl milk
1 tsp Vanilla extract

Preheat oven 325 degrees. By hand mix first 4 ingredients, mixture will be pale yellow and it is ok if there are lumps. Set aside.
In separate bowl mix cinnamon and brown sugar, set aside.

Pour half of the cake mixture into a greased, 9x13 glass pan. Spread an even thin layer. Add half of the brown sugar mixture- spread with knife across top of batter. Pour remaining batter, spread as evenly as possible. Sprinkle remaining brown sugar mixture. With knife- swirl the batter to create a beautiful masterpiece!
Bake 40-45 minutes, until toothpick in middle comes out clean.
While cake is baking make glaze. In a bowl mix the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla until it is the desired consistency. When the cake comes out- pour glaze immediately onto it, tilt cake to spread if necessary. Let sit until glaze sets.
Serve warm or at room temperature.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

PAD THAI


This is a great Pad Thai recipe- very easy and very very tasty

1/4 c white sugar
1/4 distilled white vinegar
2 Tbl soy sauce
1 Tbl tamarind pulp (found at whole foods)

1 box Pad Thai noodles (also found at whole foods, wheat and gluten free is what I use)

1/4 c vegetable oil
3/4 tsp minced garlic
2 eggs
2-1/4 tsp white sugar
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 c ground peanuts
3/4 tsp wasabi powder
1/4 c chopped chives
1-1/2 tsp paprika
1 c fresh bean sprouts
1/2 lime cut into wedges
1/2 c chopped cilantro and mint (mixed together)

In medium saucepan over medium heat, blend first 4 ingredients

Cook noodles according to package (cooks like pasta but much faster)

In large skillet or wok cook over medium heat. Warm oil, add garlic and eggs. Scramble the eggs. Add noodles and stir until cooked. Stir in sauce, 1-1/4 tsp sugar, 3/4 tsp salt, stir in peanuts and wasabi powder.

Remove from heat and garnish with bean sprouts, lime and paprika.

If you feel adventurous, add a little oriental chili paste to the sauce for some heat.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Thanksgiving Turkeys

This tradition is always done at the O'Dell house and has now flocked out to friends and family who love the fun...

In this photo- Jamie, Megan, Jenn and Great Grandma Serzow

Red Apples
Toothpicks
Mini Marshmallows
Raisins
Whatever else you want to use for decorations...
2009 had many creative additions; carrot feet, broccoli tail feathers- some turkeys looked like they ate a little too much moldy grain :)

Post your turkey photos too!

Rice Pilav

This recipe comes from one of Grandma Schneider's long time Armenian family friend. She joked about wrapping lid in towel and placing it on top of the cooked pot after rice is done. Asked if important she said "no but it looks impressive!"

1/4 pd butter
1 coil vermicelli
1 c rice (Uncle Ben's is best)
2-1/2 c liquid (half chicken broth, half water)

Melt butter in pot- break up coil of vermicelli into it and brown. Add rice, liquid and salt.
Cover and simmer till all liquid is absorbed

note- when recipe is doubled or increased do not use more butter. Simply use enough to brown vermicelli.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Rusonik... aka "Tanya Serzows White Turkey Soup"

This recipe has not set quantities- it has been passed down verbally from generation to generation...

Turkey wings
Celery
Chicken broth

Cook above ingredients in chicken broth.

Shred turkey, discard celery, drain and strain- To large pot, add leftover juice, chopped celery and rice. Needs to be thick. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook until done. Serve with cold chopped dill pickles.