Hickory Nut Cake

This recipe came from my grandmother Cozeta Webb and is one of my favorite cakes.  The hickory nuts were collected from our farm but just about any nut could be substituted.  My husband likes this made with black walnuts.  The icing is a bit touchy to make but is well worth the effort.  Follow the boil times exactly.  If you cook it too long then the icing will be crumbly, not long enough and it will not set up.  The taste however, is better than anything you could buy from the store.  If you find that you overcooked it slightly, then taking it off the heat and whisking in a little bit more milk might save it.  This will make one 9 x 13 sheet cake or 2 round 9 inch pans.  

2 C. Sugar
2/3 C. Butter, softened
3 Eggs
2 ½ C. Flour
1 C. Hickory nut pieces
1/8 tsp. Salt
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1 C. Milk
1 tsp. Vanilla

In large bowl, beat butter and sugar with mixer until light in color. Add eggs one at a time. In separate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add to butter mixture alternating with the milk. Mix well after each addition. Stir in vanilla and nuts. Pour in greased and floured pans. Bake at 325 for 45 minutes or until done .

Frosting

½ C. Butter
1 C. packed Brown Sugar
2 C. Powdered Sugar
¼ C. Milk
1 tsp. Vanilla
½ C. Hickory nut pieces

Melt butter in saucepan. Add brown sugar. Boil 2 minutes. Add milk. Bring to boil, then remove from heat. Cool to lukewarm. Beat in sugar and vanilla. Add nuts.

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

One of my favorite cakes.  It has carrots, so it has to be healthy right?  This can be made as an 9” x 13” pan or as a 2 round  9” layer cake.  This cake is very heavy and rich.  You won’t need a big piece. 

2 C. Flour
2 tsp. Cinnamon
2 tsp. Baking Powder
2 C. Carrots, shredded
2 C. Sugar
4 Eggs
1 tsp. Salt
1 C. Vegetable Oil
1 C. Pecans, chopped

In a bowl, sift together flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt.  In a large mixing bowl, beat sugar and oil for 2 minutes.  Beat in eggs, one at a time.  Add flour mixture , beating just until blended.  Mix in carrots and pecans.  Batter will be very thick.  Pour batter into greased cake pans.  Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 35 – 40 minutes until toothpick inserted in middle of cake comes out clean.  Cool completely on rack before icing. 

 Cream Cheese Icing

1 stick Butter, softened at room temp.
16 – 24 oz. Powdered Sugar
2 tsp. Vanilla
8oz. Cream Cheese, at room temp
1 C. Pecans, chopped

In large mixing bowl, mix all ingredients except pecans until well blended.  Stir in nuts.

Vodka Sauce

One of my husband’s favorite pasta sauces. If you can’t find the prosciutto, you can substitute a good quality thinly sliced ham. However, it won’t have quite the same taste. As for the parsley, I prefer the curly leaf over the flat leaf variety. Just make sure to finely mince it.

 

 4 Tbsp. Olive Oil
2 Tbsp. Butter
1 Large Onion, Chopped
6 Garlic Cloves, minced
1 bunch Parsley, minced
6 oz. Prosciutto, minced
56 oz. Crushed Tomatoes
¼ to ½ C. Vodka
1 C. to 1- ½ C. Heavy Whipping Cream
Red Pepper Flakes to taste
Large Rigatoni Shells, Cooked and drained

In large stockpot, melt butter in the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onions, garlic, ham, parsley and red pepper flakes until onion turns translucent. Add crushed tomatoes and vodka. Bring to low boil then simmer over low-medium heat with lid off for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add cream. Simmer until slightly thickened. Serve over pasta.  Sprinkle with additional parsley.

 

Cheesy Sausage Hash

A good one dish recipe that comes together quickly.  This recipe makes a lot.  However, it can be easily halved.  Or double it if feeding a large crowd.  The addition of carrots and spinach are a sneaking way of adding some vitamins to an otherwise meat and potatoes dish.

1 lb. Ground Sausage
½ C. Onion, chopped
6 C. frozen Potatoes, cubed
2 C. Monterey Jack Cheese
½ tsp. Celery Seed
1 C. frozen Spinach, chopped
3 Carrots, shredded
Red Pepper Flakes, (optional)

In large skillet cook sausage with onion, carrots and celery seed over medium heat until sausage is browned. Add potatoes and spinach. If you want a spicier dish, add the red pepper flakes. Cook until potatoes are tender and starting to brown. Top with the cheese. Cover with a lid 3 – 5 minutes to help the cheese melt.

Pear and Walnut Pizza

A good alternative to traditional style pizza.  Pears should be ripe, yet firm.  If they are soft they will be mushy when cooked.

2 Tbsp. Butter
1/3 C. Dry White Wine
1/3 C. Heavy Cream
1 C. Fontina cheese, shredded
1 Pear, thinly sliced
½ Cup Walnut pieces
Honey
Heat butter and 1 Tbsp. Water in saucepan on low until melted. Add wine. Simmer 5 minutes. Add cream. Simmer on low until thickened. Season with freshly ground black pepper. Spread on your favorite pizza crust, (I like the Boboli thin crust style). Top with Fontina. Arrange the pear slices on top. Scatter with the walnut pieces. Bake at 375 until crust is well melted and starting to bubble in places. Take out of oven and let cool 5 – 10 minutes. Drizzle lightly with honey.

Sandwich Spread - (Tail of the Garden)

An old recipe handed down from my mother, which she received from my grandmother.  Excellent on burgers, hotdogs, or really any sandwich.  Can also stand alone or eaten on crackers.  You can substitute any relish type condiment with this spread. 

1 Doz. Green Peppers
1 Doz. Red Peppers
1 Doz. Green Tomatoes
5 Lg. Onions
1 Tbsp. Salt
3 C. Sugar
1 C. Cider Vinegar
½ C. Corn Starch
6 – 8 oz. Yellow Mustard
1 Qt. Miracle Whip

Finely grind peppers, tomatoes and onions.  Place in large bowl and cover with boiling water.  Let stand 10 minutes.  Add salt.  Let sit 5 minutes, then drain.  In a very large saucepan, combine sugar and vinegar.  In separate bowl, combine cornstarch with enough water to make a paste.  Add to the vinegar mixture.  Bring to a boil.  In sauce pan, stir in mustard and cooked vegetables.  Cook until blended, stirring frequently abut 20 minutes.  Remove from heat and add Miracle Whip.  Pour into clean canning jars.  Hot water bath jars for 15 minutes for jars to seal. 

Marinated Tomatoes

There is nothing like the taste of tomatoes fresh from the garden.  The marinade for these tomatoes only accentuates their taste.  Very good as a side dish or serve with crusty bread and some good cheese for a meal.  Vary the spices for your own personal preference.  Leftover marinade is also excellent as a salad dressing.

¼ C. Fresh Parsley, chopped
1 Tbsp. Sugar
1 ½ tsp. Garlic Powder
1 ½ tsp. Seasoned Salt
1 ½ tsp. Ground Black Pepper
¾ C. Vegetable Oil
½ C. Red Wine Vinegar
¼ C. Onion, chopped
3 – 5 Tomatoes, sliced

Blend all ingredients, except tomatoes, in a large sealable container. Add tomatoes. Marinate in refrigerator overnight.