Monday, January 28, 2008

Strawberry Cake


Strawberry cake
(this cake is ALWAYS present at birthdays and special events for our family. Usually it is made in 9X13 sheet cake, but a pretty way is layered with the fresh strawberries on top) Moosey and Wibbie usually have a prerequisite of homemade vanilla ice cream as an accompaniment)

Strawberry cake made with a mix, along with strawberry gelatin and fresh or frozen strawberries.
INGREDIENTS:
1 box white or yellow cake mix (approx. 18 to 21 ounces)
1 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
1 package (3 oz) strawberry flavored gelatin
1/2 cup milk
1 cup mashed fresh or frozen strawberries (if using frozen, drain some of the juice off and reserve)
Strawberry Cream Cheese Icing:
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 stick margarine (2 ounces), room temperature ***you can use butter :)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup strawberries, mashed (drain and reserve juice)
5 to 6 cups sifted powdered sugar (1 to 1 1/2 pounds)
PREPARATION:
Mix cake mix with strawberry flavored gelatin. Add oil, eggs, coconut, gelatin, and milk; and beat until well blended. Stir in 1 cup mashed strawberries and 1 cup pecans. Bake in 3 generously greased and floured 8- or 9-inch round layer pans at 350° for 35 minutes, or until cake tests done*.
Note:
To make the frosting, cream together cream cheese and butter; mix in vanilla and powdered sugar until firm but spreadable. Stir in drained strawberries. Drizzle cooled layers with reserved juice then spread with a layer of icing; ice sides and top. Store cake in an airtight container or wrapping; refrigerate.*Lightly touch cake in the center with a finger; if it springs back, the cake is done.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Baked Potato Soup

Baked Potato Soup

heat oven to 350
using a pyrex pan (NEVER USE FOIL OR ALUMINUM COOKWARE!!)
use 1 small potato per person (do NOT peel) and place in pyrex pan
cut up onion and place around potatoes
use whole peeled garlic (or not, to taste) place in pan with onions and potatoes
Bake at 350 until potatoes are soft (about 2 hours for a full pan of vegetables)
(check doneness with fork)
cool vegetables
***********
in a blender
put cooled vegetables 1/2 to top and cover with skim (or whole) milk
blend until smooth, then pour into pot to heat through
**keep doing this until you use all the vegetables you've cooked for servings planned**
add (to preference)
low fat sour cream
crumbled bacon
chives
** when warmed through, put grated cheese on top to serve
best with a country bread and real butter as a side.......... perfect for a Winter Day in Texas
I'm cooking this right now with extra garlic because the FLU has hit our family hard and it is a really wet/icy/coooooollllld day! May we all kick this flu soon! AMEN