Almond Cookies (Chinese)

1 C solid Crisco (plain or butter flavored)
1 C sugar
1 egg
1 TSP baking powder
½ TSP baking soda
½ TSP salt
1 TSP almond extract
Almonds (halved or whole)
2¼ C flour
½ C crushed almonds (optional)

Egg-Wash:
1 egg
1 TBS water

Temperature: 350

Cream Crisco and Sugar. Add egg. Mix flour with baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add to Crisco/sugar and blend into a creamed mixture. Add almond extract. Fold in crushed almonds. Roll dough into TSP sized balls and place on foil-lined cookie pan. Place a whole almond in the center of the ball and flatten with the palm of the hand. Brush tops with egg-wash. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Bran Muffins (Basic)

1 C 100% bran
½ TSP salt
1 C milk
½ C sugar
1¼ C flour
1 egg
1 TBS baking powder
¼ C melted margarine or cooking oil
½ C chopped nuts (optional)
¼ to ½ C raisins (optional)

Temperature: 400

Mix bran and milk, soak for 5 minutes. Place in mixing bowl and beat on medium speed for 1 minute. Add egg and oil then mix for one more minute. Combine dry ingredients and mix into batter on low speed 15 seconds, just until flour disappears. Fold in raisins and nuts. Spoon into paper muffin cups. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Makes 12.

Banana Bran Muffins – Parker

  • 2 C 100% bran
  • ¾ C milk
  • 3 TBS vegatable oil
  • 2 TSP baking powder
  • 1½ C flour (white, unbleached or wheat)
  • 1 egg
  • ½ C sugar
  • 1 C bananas (mashed)
  • ½ TSP salt
  • ¼ C raisins
  • ½ TSP cinnamon
  • ½ C nuts (chopped ) (optional)

Oven: 350° F

  1. Mix bran and milk, soak for 5 minutes.
  2. Beat in egg and oil. Stir in mashed banana.
  3. Mix dry ingredients together and stir into banana/bran mix.
  4. Fold in raisins and nuts if desired. Spoon into paper muffin cups. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Yields 12 muffins.

    Bourbon Pecan Hard Sauce

    ¼ C butter
    ¾ C confectioners xxx powdered sugar
    1 TBS bourbon
    1/3 C pecans (finely chopped)

    Temperature:

    Beat softened butter till light and fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar and bourbon till smooth. Stir in pecans. Store refrigerated but bring to room temperature before serving. Serve with brownies, cake, puddings, poached fruit etc.

    Carrot Cake – McCalls

    Cake:

    • 2½ C cake flour
    • 1 C light brown sugar
    • 1 C granulated sugar
    • 2 TSP baking powder
    • 1 TSP baking soda
    • 1 TSP salt
    • 1 TSP cinnamon
    • 4 eggs
    • 2 TBS lemon peel (grated)
    • 2 TBS orange peel (grated)
    • 3 C carrots (grated)
    • 2 TBS lemon juice
    • 8 OZ butter or margarine
    • 2 TBS orange juice
    • 1 C nuts (chopped)
    • 1 C raisins (optional)

    Icing:

    • 8 OZ cream cheese
    • 1 LB confectioners XXX powdered sugar
    • ½ C butter
    • 1 TSP vanilla

    Oven: 350

    1. Cream butter and sugars for 4 minutes.
    2. Add eggs one at a time.
    3. Mix all dry ingredients. Add in 3 parts alternately with juices.
    4. Beat on low only till smooth. Stir in carrots, nuts, peels and raisins with a spoon.
    5. Grease and flour a 10” tube pan.
    6. Pour batter. Bake for 60 minutes.
    7. Cool in the pan.
    8. Turn out and frost with cream cheese icing.

    Carrot Cake – Anna

    Cake:

    • 2 C sugar
    • 2 C cake flour
    • 1 TSP baking soda
    • 2 TSP cinnamon
    • 1 TSP salt
    • 1½ C vegatable oil
    • 3 C carrots (very finely grated)
    • 4 eggs
    • 1 TSP vanilla
    • 1 C pecans or walnuts (coarsely chopped)

    Icing:

    • 8 OZ cream cheese
    • ½ C butter
    • 1 LB confectioners XXX powdered sugar
    • 1 TSP vanilla

    Oven: 350

    • Mix all dry ingredients together.
    • Add eggs & oil and mix well.
    • Add Carrots and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
    • Add vanilla. Fold in nuts.
    • Pour into three 9″ round cake pans (floured and greased or lined with parchment on bottom). Bake for 25-30 minutes.
    • Cool completely.
    • Frost with cream cheese icing.

    Yields 3 9″ round cakes.

    Artichoke Party Spread – Rosemary

    • 14 OZ canned artichoke hearts or bottoms in water
    • 1 C sharp cheddar (grated)
    • 1 C mayonnaise
    • ½ C Parmesan cheese
    • Dash cayenne
    • Paprika (sprinkle on top)
    • ½ PKG Good Seasons Italian dressing mix (dry)

    Oven: 350° F

    1. Chop and mash artichokes.
    2. Add remaining ingredients.
    3. Place into an oven-proof baking dish. Sprinkle with paprika.
    4. Bake for 10 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Serve with crisp crackers.

    Artichoke-Oyster Dip

    2 14 OZ cans artichoke hearts or bottoms in water
    1 TBS olive oil
    1 C parmesan cheese
    1 onion (chopped)
    ¾ C margarine or butter (1½ sticks)
    1 TBS flour
    1½ C italian bread crumbs
    1 pint oysters
    4-6 cloves garlic (minced or crushed)
    Salt & pepper to taste

    Temperature:

    Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil. Add flour and brown slightly. Chop oysters, add and cook till edges curl. Quarter artichokes, drain and add to saute. Mix all dry ingredients and add to the hot saute. Mix well, adding oyster water or water from artichokes to attain a dip-like consistency (if using oyster water, heat it to a boil for a few minutes).

    Artichoke Balls

    1 14 OZ can artichoke hearts or bottoms in water
    1 C italian bread crumbs
    ¼ C parmesan cheese
    2 eggs (slightly beaten)
    6-8 cloves garlic (chopped or minced)
    1½ onion (grated or chopped)
    2 TBS olive oil

    Temperature:

    Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil. Mash or chop artichokes and mix with remaining ingredients. Roll into small (TSP sized) balls. Roll balls in extra bread crumbs. Chill.