Tag: ice cream

Family Favorites · New Traditions · Vegetarian

Fresh Peach Crisp…breakfast of this champion!

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Peach season has come to an end but there is time (and peaches) for one more fresh Peach Crisp.  Pal, Maribeth gave me a ‘colorado classique’ cookbook a while back and we both have enjoyed the terrific recipes.  She made the peach cobbler from the cookbook for my birthday last month and it was delicious.  Today I made it and had the same wonderful results.  Since it has peaches and oatmeal…it is also the breakfast of this champion!

Fresh Peach Crisp

4 pounds ripe peaches, peeled and sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup oats
1 cup unsalted butter

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Place peach slices in a greased 13x9x2″ baking pan. Sprinkle with salt.
  • Mix the flour, cinnamon, sugar and oats together. Add softened butter and mix until crumbly. Sprinkle over peaches and pat down.
  • Bake 50-60 minutes.
  • Serve plain or with rich vanilla ice cream.

Recipe from ‘colorado classique a collection of fresh recipes from the rockies’.

Nicaragua…Introduction to Banana Jam…YUM!
Nicaragua · Vegetarian

Nicaragua…Introduction to Banana Jam…YUM!

cathysmaha3 Comments

What a delight to get up in the morning, dress and not worry about applying cosmetics or blow-drying my hair.  At least that is what I thought until I looked at my pictures when I returned home. YIKES!  That is why you are seeing more photos of food and scenery than of me.

Bananas and Poinsettas growing at FEV

I would wander to the dining area in the morning to enjoy a fresh banana (craving one now) and a hot cup of that coffee!  I take a moment to soak in the beautiful morning view while my travel buddies wander in, one by one, to convene for breakfast.

Morning view of the cloud forest from Tucan Lodge

This particular morning, we were served wonderful pancakes with fresh jams.  My absolute favorite was the banana jam.  Again, I wonder how I’ve never tasted banana jam.  Genius!

Pancakes with jams

When I returned home, I searched for Banana Jam recipes and found the following recipe in the Jamlady’s cookbook.  I made it.  I liked it.  We served it at daughter Sarah’s bridal shower along with scones and clotted cream.  It’s a cherished member of my growing collection of recipes.

Ingredients for Banana Jam

BANANA JAM

3 1/2 pounds of peeled bananas
3 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon butter
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

l
Cooking Banana Jam

Mash the bananas and cook with the rest of the ingredients for 20 minutes. Stir continuously so the jam does not stick or burn. Cool. Jam will thicken. Optional: use food processor to blend.

I did not freeze or can the jam but ate it all fresh! My next experiment will be to use banana jam in homemade ice cream. YUM!

IMG_1391

Recipe adapted from Jamlady, ‘Jellies, Jams, and Preserves’

My Roots

Wacky Chocolate Cake…childhood memories

cathysmahaLeave a comment

It was a special treat when my Mother made chocolate cake WITH hot chocolate sauce, topped with a scoop (or two) or vanilla ice cream.  I can vividly remember my Mother making the cake, putting it in the back porch to cool then making the sauce at the last-minute before serving.  Don’t be stingy with the sauce.  I love it when the cake soaks up the sauce and the cold ice cream compliments the yummy, chocolate-drenched cake.

Wacky Chocolate Cake with Hot Chocolate Sauce

Wacky Chocolate Cake was popular during the depression since the recipe did not call for eggs, milk or butter all of which were scarce during the Great Depression.  This cake, without the hot chocolate sauce, is a great vegan chocolate cake or good for those with sensitivity to dairy products.  Just make sure the cocoa is dairy free!

This weekend I made this for my daughters and their guys.  I am certain I have not made this recipe for over 20 years but a flood of childhood memories came rushing back.   I talked to my sister about the recipe and she recalls our Mother referring to the recipe from our Grandmother Mary Smaha. She also recalls that our Mother would say that you need to add enough cocoa powder to the dry mixture, to where it looks like cinnamon.  After discussing this memory, we decided it would be fun to try adding a little cinnamon to the hot chocolate sauce next time.  I’m not waiting another 20 years to try this version!

Have a little chocolate cake with hot chocolate sauce today to celebrate your inner child and your fond memories!

WACKY CHOCOLATE CAKE

Wacky Chocolate Cake

3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
6 tablespoons cocoa
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups water

  • Mix flour, sugar, cocoa, soda and salt. Add oil, vinegar, vanilla and water. Do not use a mixer and do not sift flour. Pour in greased 9×13″ pan.
  • Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

HOT CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Hot Chocolate Sauce

1 cup sugar
1 rounded tablespoon cocoa
pinch salt
1 tablespoon white Karo
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 to 2/3 cup milk

  • Mix all ingredients together (except vanilla) and bring to a rolling boil. Boil 1-2 minutes. Remove and add vanilla and let set for a few minutes.
  • Serve warm over individual pieces of chocolate cake. This recipe is enough for an 8×8″ cake pan. Double the recipe for a 9×13″ cake.