Happy Memorial Day!!!  

Recipe Box- Recipe  #15

Newspaper Article titled "Hardy Ipomoea Batata is Indispensable"

Huh?  What the heck is a Ipomoea Batata?  I have no idea. 

Those of you who have been reading my blog from the beginning know that we find other things in the recipe box other than recipes.  This is another example.

When I pull these little clippings out of the box and unfold them, I feel as though I'm the first one to look at these important items in a very, very long time.  I feel honored to be looking at these items and sharing them with you, my reader.  I want to give the past owner of this little gem of a recipe box all of the respect which is due. 

So...back to the Ipomoea Batata.  The article says that this is a vegetable which looks like a Morning Glory (I do know what those look like and they are beautiful!).  It also says that this veggie loves HOT weather.  So me...living in Kansas won't be growing them.  :-(

The article also says that this vegetable was the most important, single food in bringing Americans through such trying times as the American Revolution, The War between the States and Reconstruction.  During such times, it was said to be the "indispensable vegetable".  Who knew?

Okay, so basically we are talking about the sweet potato.  Yum.  I love all things sweet potato. 

It also goes on to say that Texas ranks about 4th in production of this vegetable delicacy (humm I don't really think of sweet potatoes as a delicacy) because of a small weevil insect.  (Maybe I can find a gummy weevil?)

See ya next recipe!!   

Recipe Box- Recipe  #14

Pineapple Banana Cake and Never Fail Frosting:

Cake:

3/4 cup butter

3/4 tsp. salt

5 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

2 cups sugar

3 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups milk

5 egg whites

Cream butter, add sugar gradually.  Sift flour once before measuring.  Mix and sift flour, salt and baking powder and add alternately with milk.  Add vanilla.  Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites.  Bake, in two 9-inch layer pans for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Filling:

2 large bananas

2 tsp lemon juice

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup pineapple juice

2/3 cup crushed pineapple

3 Tbsp cornstarch

1/2 cup water.

Mash bananas, add pineapple and lemon juice.  Mix together cornstarch and sugar, add water and pineapple juice.  Cook in double boiler until clear.  Add banana mixture and cook 2 minutes longer.  Let cool and spread between layers.  This may be used on top of cake also, but I (author of recipe) prefer to ice cake on top and sides with the following icing:

Never Fail Frosting: (we will see about that!)

1 cup sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cream of tartar

2 unbeaten egg whites

3 Tbsp water

1 tsp vanilla

Combine all ingredients except vanilla in top of double boiler.  Beat with electric beater for 3 minutes.  Remove from stove and add vanilla.  Keep over hot boiler and spread over cake.

Hello to my recipe box readers!!
The next recipe pulled is a lovely sounding cake.  Pineapple-Banana to be specific.

Again, baking not my forte but here we go!

I forgot to add the bananas to this pic!

I'm ready to begin and I'm not really sure what "creaming butter" means?

Good old google to the rescue!  It means to mash or use a mixer to incorporate the butter and sugar until smooth.  Okay, I got it.

So, I've been mixing for a while and the butter is sticking to the mixer but I'll keep on mixing the other ingredients.

Very hard on the arm!

It's getting looser as I'm adding the milk and flour.  Wow, 5 tsp of baking powder.  Does that seem like a lot?  I wouldn't really know since I don't ever bake cakes from scratch.  Duncan Hines is my go to for cakes!  How sad for my two boys (actually they are young men now) that their mom never baked anything, right?  Do I feel guilty?  Heck no!

Hey, but for a school project I made pierogi's from scratch!  Yes I DID! 

That should count for something, right? 

Note to Self- if you make this cake again, please use the nice Kitchen Aide Mixer that your nice husband bought you.  This hand mixer doesn't cut it.  The ingredients are really thick and my arm is very tired (kind of like when I made pirogi's from scratch...hmmm)

And, I had to wash the mixing paddles and am now going to whip the egg whites.  Having to wash stuff in the middle of baking is never a good idea.

Stiff peaks!

I do enjoy whipping up egg whites, though. 

After folding in the egg whites, it did make the batter less doughy but this is still such a dense cake. 

The recipe doesn't say to butter or flour the cake pans, so I'm not going to.

Making the filling was a little weird.  I kept the sugar and cornstarch over the double boiler for a really long time as I tried to define what "clear" meant.  20 minutes, at least.  Finally, my hubbie asked me "what is wrong?" and I had him come and take a look.  In a very definitive tone, he said "That is clear".  Me, just wanting this cake thing to be done decided that he made sense.  To me, it wasn't really clear (not a double entandre, but could be construed as such) but whatever. 

Banana mixture went in.  Cooled. 

Filling applied to cake.  Please don't notice the mismatched cake sizes.  Or if you are noticing and thinking what the heck?  What is this crazy woman doing?? 

Do, however, notice the pretty cake plate!

I had two different cake pans...YIKES!  It shouldn't matter what it looks like, right?  It's the thought that counts when someone bakes you a cake...actually takes the intense amount of time to make pirogi's...eh hem...I mean cake, right?

Never fail icing time! 

I think I failed the Never Fail Icing.  It cooked and cooked and I stirred and stirred but it was still so thin and watery.   Hmmm...weird.  The only thing that I can think of is that the double boiler wasn't quite boiling when I started mixing?

Is it supposed to look like this? I have no idea.  But, again, it's all about the taste right?

This wins the weirdest looking cake award!!

Looks dry

After I let it cool, the icing just sort of disappeared.  Where did it go?

The cake tasted pretty good but the icing was a disaster. It seemed like both the filling and the icing (yes, it was too thin) were absorbed into the dense cake.  I wouldn't recommend a novice baker attempting this one.  There was a lot of information that was missing from the recipe but I love the idea of a banana-pineapple cake!  Perhaps there are some recipes out there that are lighter versions of this cake.  Also, another note to self- get two cake pans of the same size!!
I will look for an updated version of this vintage recipe and would love to try this again.  See you all next recipe!

Recipe Box- Recipe  #13

Creamy Pralines:

Southern recipe!

2 cups sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup condensed milk

1/4 cup butter

1/4 tsp salt

3 cups broken pecans

Combine the sugars and milks with butter and salt in a heavy saucepan.  Bring slowly to a full rolling boil over medium heat.  Add the nuts and continue boiling and candy reaches the soft-ball state, 234 degree's on the candy thermometer.  Remove from heat and stir only enough to give a creamy look.  Spoon out onto buttered baking sheet.  Cool.  Yield: 6 dozen pralines.

Hello my recipe box explorers!  Today we are back to recipes and it is Pralines!  Correction...Creamy Pralines!  This recipe is hand written and don't you love a hand written recipe?  It can sometime mean that it was a recipe which was passed down in a family and is highly unique and treasured. I, personally, salivate at hand written recipes.

So...any trepidation's?  You bet your sweet praline!  I've said before that I am not really a great baker but this is entering a whole new pool.  Candy.  Yes, I said candy.  Holy guacamole!  It's funny because I actually had a candy thermometer in the bottom of a junk kitchen tool drawer.  I thought, "What the heck?...Did I EVER make candy?"  I think many years ago, I tried to make some sort of brittle but don't remember it very well so it must not have been very memorable. 

Are you kidding me?  I didn't even know I owned one!

So, time to jump in with both feet.  Here we go!

Using sweetened condensed milk

Cooking with all heart today!!

I went to the grocery store and was standing in the baking aisle looking for condensed milk.  The only thing I could find was sweetened condensed milk so I'm a little nervous.  Maybe the recipe just wasn't specific or maybe there is only sweetened condensed milk- I really don't know.

So far, so easy!

Well, my candy thermometer doesn't have a specific line for 234 degrees so I'm winging it a little.  I am definitely out of my comfort zone.

Yikes, I'm afraid at this point!

I made the decision to stop the boiling and spooned them onto a cookie sheet as I had no idea what the soft-ball state is.  It just doesn't feel right though.  I have put the cookie sheet into the fridge hoping that a miracle happens and these mushy, runny, things somehow turn into CANDY!!

It doesn't look like candy..

As I am waiting for candy to appear, I realized that I have never eaten a praline (and really never have known what it is!) so I thought I would consult with my handy dandy reference book and try to get some history on this little goody.

The book says that Pralines were named for the French diplomat Cesar du Plessis-Praslin, later Due de Choiseul.  It is said that Praslin's butler advised him that almonds coated with sugar would not cause indigestion.  (too funny)  In Louisiana, the Creoles adapted Pralines, substituting native pecans for almonds and brown sugar for white.

Again, another recipe with that southern influence which I love.  I think we have two now which are pecan winners.   

Hmm.. interesting because this recipe uses both white and brown sugar.  AND!  I should have done my research before jumping into the recipe because the research yielded the definition of a "Soft-ball state".  It said to drop a little syrup into a glass of cold water and it should form a soft ball which flattens when taken out of the water.  BUT!  it also said to add the pecans after the syrup had reached the soft ball state.  Our recipe said to add the pecans and continue boiling. 

Pretty cool...I might have done it!?

So...when I dropped a test case into the cold water, it did form a soft ball- so we might be okay (fingers crossed)!

Luscious candy pralines!!  

Okay!  I did it!!  I cannot believe that I made candy and it was pretty easy!!  I would definitely recommend this recipe if you want to try to make candy for the first time.  Just get a candy thermometer and go for it!!  Don't be afraid to try it.  Sometimes you have to take risks both in the kitchen and in life.  If the candy had flopped I would have been okay, really.

Cooking should be fun! Get in the kitchen and try some of these vintage recipes!

See you all next recipe my friends!!  

Recipe Box- Recipe  #12

ACTION LINE ARTICLE ON COCKROACHES:

Action Line

"Please, please tell me what to do to get rid of some cockroaches that seem to be taking possession of my home.  I have tried about everything I can think of or have been told about.  Can you please suggest a way I can get rid of these horrible creatures?- Mrs.I.P.H"

 

Please tell me what to do!

Hi to all who love exploring old recipes and other secrets!  Next up from our little box is an article from a newspaper (not sure which one and when it was published) regarding the pesky cockroach.  So, I would assume that this was a problem in the recipe box owners home.  I always heard that these insects were the "oldest living insect" in the world.  They are extremely resilient and are hard to get rid of. 

It is a little hard writing about these creatures especially when I have heard that most restaurants have them running around.  I don't like to think about them.  I like to put my head in the sand and pretend that they don't exist. 

So...in a full disclosure mode...I have lived in a home that had cockroaches (or maybe just one cockroach, I dunno).  The first time I saw one/it..I freaked out.  I like to think that I am extremely clean, but it really brought home the idea that these creatures can exist with no food, water, etc.  Because, obviously the cockroach lived in the home much longer than I did.  YUK!  Yes, a cockroach has crossed my path.  ICK! 

I did a little research concerning these pests and found out the following:

But there is no question that cockroaches are hardy. Studies have found they can live several days after being decapitated. And when times are tough, those with heads can survive by eating glue or each other.

Ick Ick and more ick...

Especially, because we are talking mostly about food. The article says to Mix 1/4 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of boric acid powder, and 1/2 cup of yellow cornmeal.  Stir this stuff thoroughly, pour it into a squeeze bottle and squirt it along the sides of the drainboards, cupboards and along whatever roadway the rotten roaches roam.  Thank goodness in my home now, I have not seen the dreaded cockroach so I was not able to test this method.  It sounds like you have to be vigilant

in the topical application of this method.  

I love the end of the article...it says..."Keep dishing out the dosages every week until you vanquish every vestige of the visiting vulgar varmits."

Varmits..I love that word! 

So, as is typical with me...I have to lighten the moment by saying that I went to an old fashioned candy store yesterday and found the following (who knew?):

 

Who knew?

HAHA...what in the world ever possessed the Jelly Belly company to make a Cockroach jelly but I found one!! 

 

Kinda gross!

Hubbie and I just tried it and it was a good one!

HEHE!  A Jelly Belly Cockroach is a good one!!  Let us turn to jelly cockroaches for relief.

See you next recipe secret!!

Recipe Box- Recipe  #11

Marshmallow Waldorf Salad:

Prettiest, most delicious apple salad you ever made! Easiest too!  Don't peel apples.  Dice them to make 3 cups, sprinkle with 1 tbsp lemon juice and add 1 cup of Kraft's fresh little recipe size marshmallows.  (Easy to add-you don't have to cut 'em up!) Add 1 cup chopped celery, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts and Miracle Whip Salad Dressing to moisten.  Toss lightly.  Arrange thin unpeeled apple wedges on each salad, petal fashion.  Top with salad dressing.

Hello recipe boxers!!  Sorry that I've been away...got caught under the weather with a bug (feeling better!!) so I am very happy to be back to recipes today!  I really like the look of this one!  The photo just looks so festive and pretty!  However, whenever I read a recipe and it uses the term, "arrange in a petal fashion" I start to sweat.  Decorating stuff just never has been my strong suit!  But, in true recipe box explorer fashion, I am ready to give it my best shot! 

Marshmallows!!

I really like the instructions although they don't tell us how many apples we need to buy. So, we get to make lots of executive decisions and just have fun!!  I especially like the reference to "Kraft's fresh little recipe size marshmallows".  Fresh?  Really?  What is the shelf life of marshmallows?  Anyway, I thought it was cute.

I remember growing up, my mom quite often made Waldorf salad.  I know for sure that it didn't have marshmallows in it.  I think...just celery, apples...it's funny because I do remember the application of the lemon juice.  Memories of tasting the sweetness of the apple and then mouth curdling when the lemon juice hit the taste buds.  I didn't really like that taste but I understood that it was to keep the apples from going brown. 

Marshmallows...what to say, what to say?  My taste lends itself toward warm and gooey i.e., smores or marshmallow treats.  I have never been one to just eat marshmallows out of the bag but I think there are some interesting cookies that have marshmallow in them.  I once watched Martha Stewart making home made marshmallows and they looked absolutely delicious but, alas, I have not ever made them.

This was a very easy recipe to make.  The chopping was cathartic and I actually liked trying to make it look pretty!  I'm not a big fan of Miracle Whip but that's probably because mom never used it- traditional mayo was her dressing for Waldorf salad.  Hubbie said it was really good!  I added a touch of sea salt to balance the sweetness and, overall, I liked it.  I think kids would really like this one because of the marshmallows!!  Plus, it does look kinda cool the way that they have it arranged.  Try it and let me know what you think!!  

 

Looks petal like, right?

Easy and pretty!!

See you next recipe secret!! 

Timex Watch Guarantee in Recipe Box

This was the next thing in the recipe box.  I think about the owner of this box every day and wonder what his or her life was like?  Why would you hide a Timex watch guarantee slip in a recipe box?

It was definitely hidden for a reason.  Why, I ask?  Of course my mind goes to the following:
1.  The person stole the watch (but why would you have the little guarantee card?)
2.  The person was given the watch by someone other than their spouse or partner
3.  The person was afraid of their spouse or partner and didn't want them to know that they had the watch
4.  The person bought the watch when he/she knew that they shouldn't have due to financial constraints

But, all those theories don't add up because how could he/she ever wear the watch???

Maybe the Guarantee was........

5.  Hidden for safe keeping?

Mysteries of this recipe box keep giving me qualms.  I'm not sure what to make of it?  I do know that people keep secrets and sometimes secrets end up in recipe box's.  I had never thought of that before. The other theory is that this person kept very important items in the recipe box because it was safe. Maybe the house was chaotic and the recipe box remained the respite safe and sound depository of all things important.

I hope you are enjoying exploring this recipe box as much as I am.  I don't know where we are headed but it it is so much fun along the journey.  Maybe that is the lesson?  The challenge of life is about letting go and enjoying everything that is surprising and new in the moment.

So...you all know my interest in history so I googled a little history on the wrist watch:

With the American entry into World War I there were new demands for timepiece design. Artillery gunners needed an easy way to calculate and read time while still being able to work the guns. The Waterbury Clock Company met this need by modifying the small Ingersoll ladies' Midget pocket watch to become military-issue wristwatches – lugs were added for a canvas strap, the crown was repositioned to 3 o'clock, hands and numbers were made luminescent for nighttime readability – thus making one of the first wrist watches!

Look at this!  The step in between pocket watch and wrist watch!

See you next recipe or secret!!

Recipe Box- Recipe  #10

Western Macaroons

This was a well used recipe!

1 egg white

1 cup Imperial Pure Cane Brown Sugar (couldn't find this brand)

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups of chopped pecans (or as many you want)

Whip egg white till stiff.  Gradually beat in Imperial Brown Sugar.  Add vanilla and fold in pecans.  Drop by teaspoon onto well greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 325 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until brown.  Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

The pecans laid an egg!

Hi there recipe box lovers!!  This was the next thing that I pulled from the box.  Western Macaroons.  I have certainly heard of, and eaten, macaroons but have never heard of Western Macaroons.  Right off the bat (as usual) I have a concern about the ingredient list being very sparse.  And, the "one egg white" concerns me.  BUT, alas I am not a baker so this all could be very correct! 

Lets do this!  loooooooooooookljjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yes, I know that the above is not proper blogging etiquette but my kitty named Lucy decided to get in on the act while I was mixing the egg white!  I wished I could have seen her doing it because she would have gotten in trouble!  But, I find it interesting how she was so focused on the plus sign.  It makes me think that she was looking at the screen while hitting the plus sign key!!  And, I swear she wrote the loooooook!  Too funny!

She is trying to impart knowledge!

I'm not sure what Lucy was trying to say but I'm sure it was important! 

Anyway...back to the recipe.

It was so very easy!!  The egg white mixed up perfectly with stiff peaks. 

Use an electric mixer for this part.

Adding the brown sugar and then the pecans and my special vanilla!

Looking good!

Final product!

I laid down some parchment paper so they wouldn't stick and into the oven they go!

Easy easy!!

While the cookies are cookin' I wanted to give you an update on the Nine Day Slaw.

Too much liquid! 

This recipe definitely needs some tweaking.  There was too much dressing for the amount of cabbage so I ended up dumping some out on, I think, day 3.  Here is a photo from Day 8.  The flavors are really good and they do get better every day.  The sweetness of the dressing really comes out.  I would, for sure, make this 9 day coleslaw again but I would try to find a recipe that is more updated.  We have eaten the slaw with bbq meat and hamburgers and it was delicious with both!  It would be great to make this if you are having friends over for a casual dinner. 

Looks very pretty but still was oily- flavors were good other than that

Back to Macaroons or Macarons.  You say macaroon, I say macaron right?  Wrong! 

I researched these cookies and it turns out they are two different types of cookie.  A macaron is actually a meringue based cookie filled with fruit spread or buttercream.

They look like this

These look yummy too!

A macaroon is mostly known as a small confection using a egg white base with coconut usually thown in for good measure.  The coconut macaroon is frequently served during Passover because it doesn't contain any flour. 

These look like beautiful little jewels!

I couldn't find any recipe's for a Western Macaroon Cookies so maybe we are on to something new!  The reference to "Western" could be referring to the pecans.  There are a lot of nut farmers in California.  In fact, I used to live on a Walnut Ranch in Northern California.  For real!

Cookies are out of the oven.  I let them bake for 28 minutes.  Cooling now but they smell really delicious- very vanillaly (Not a real word). 

Delicious!

Oh my goodness!  If you like pecans you have to make these!!!  The first real winner of the recipe box!! The prize goes to Western Macaroon Cookies!!!  They are delicious and taste kind of like a light pecan pie. They aren't too sweet and the vanilla really shines through.  Hubbie also thought they were delicious and was happy to eat a few (and just asked for a few more)!  And, you don't have to be a baker to make them because they are so easy.  This would be the kind of recipe that people would ask you for!  

See you next recipe!