Sunday, June 16, 2013

Firecracker Dip

     For Josie's birthday I made a dip that I had never made before.  I basically combined several other dip recipes and omitted the ingredients that I didn't like.  It turned out really good so I wanted to be sure to write it down.

Ingredients:

2 8oz packages of cream cheese
1 package of ranch dip mix
1 yellow pepper
1 red pepper
1 can Rotel chilis
1 cup sour cream
1 cup cheddar cheese
1 onion chopped and sauteed.
1 can corn

Tollhouse crackers or even tortilla chips go with this dip the best.


Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Zucchini Bread

  This recipe was one of my grandma's favorites.  She would always make bread and send it home with all her family and friends.  She taught me how to make it when I was very young.  The thought of zucchini in a bread scares off a lot of people but it only to takes one bite to win anyone over.

Ingredients:

3 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
2 cups chopped zucchini (approx  1 1/2 zucchini)
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup raisins
2 cups sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp grated lemon zest
1 cup oil
2 tsp vanilla
4 eggs

Preheat your oven to 350 degree.  Grease and flour 2 loaf pans

Mix your eggs until they are fluffy.  Add your sugar and oil and mix well.  Add the zucchini and lemon zest and continue to mix.  In a separate bowl add all your dry ingredients and blend.  Slowly add your dry mixture to your other bowl while mixing.  Finally add your raisins and walnuts.

Split into your two loaf pans and bake for about 45 minutes.  At this time you want to start checking the bread every five minutes to make sure you don't overcook.  Stick a knife or toothpick into the center and see if it comes out clean.  It usually takes about 50 minutes or so depending on your oven.  Don't over cook your bread.  You want it to be moist.



I always make 3 loaves at a time so I up each ingredient as necessary.  

Breads are a good way to show your love.  I really enjoy making all types of bread and giving them to my friends and family. 

Below if an original picture of my grandmother's recipe in her handwriting.




Sunday, June 9, 2013

Grandma's Famous Rum Cake

     For as long as I can remember my grandma has brought a delicious rum cake to every occasion.  She has since passed on and I'd like to share her cake recipe.  




     Grandma liked to put a little extra rum in her cakes.  I prefer to go light.  You can choose to up the rum according to your tastes.  


1 box Vanilla Cake Mix
1 box instant vanilla pudding mix
4 eggs
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup light or dark rum
1/2 cup water
1 cup chopped pecans

For glaze:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
pinch salt
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup light or dark rum

Mix together the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, rum, water and melted butter.
Grease and flour your non-stick Bundt pan and sprinkle the chopped pecans evenly around the bottom of it.  Bake the cake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 1 hour.
While your cake is cooking you can make the rum glaze.  Mix together the sugar, butter, salt and water and bring to a boil.  Boil, stirring, for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in the rum.
Once the cake has cooled brush on first coat of glaze.  Add a layer of glaze every 20 minutes until gone.