Monthly Cooking Thread - August 2019

[Jamestown1630]

My husband got to reminiscing recently about a cake his mother used to make – a molasses flavored confection called ‘Shoo Fly Cake’, apparently a classic Pennsylvania recipe. (He remembers catching his grandmother sneaking into the kitchen and dragging a finger through the rich, gooey remains on the bottom of the pan after everyone had been served. And he insists that this MUST be made in a metal pan, never glass, so that those 'goodies' at the bottom are done to perfection ;-)

I had heard of Shoo Fly Pie, but not cake; so I went looking.

Here, from the ‘Yesterfood’ blog is a recipe done in a skillet:

https://yesterfood.blogspot.com/2012/11/shoo-fly-cake.html

And from 'Helga’s Pennsylvania Cooking', a video where Helga makes it as a sheet cake:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otQygwOvS8g

___________________________________________________

If you have an abundance of Zucchini coming on – or a neighbor who generously gifts you from their own abundance – this is a great sauce to serve over steamed Zucchini:

Tarragon Mustard Sauce for Steamed Zucchini

Mix in a saucepan:

½ Cup chicken or vegetable broth

1 shallot or scallion, minced

1-1/2 tsp. fresh tarragon

2 T. dry white wine

1 T. cornstarch (or arrowroot)

1/8 tsp. Black pepper

Cook uncovered for 2 or 3 minutes; and add 1 T. butter (without the butter, this is low-fat.)

Serve over steamed Zucchini.

_____________________________________________________

I was home one day last week dealing with a maintenance issue, with nothing much to do but wait around, and watch TV. I happened to find videos of a delightful woman humorist – and spent an entire afternoon watching her videos and laughing hysterically. (This happened to be on July 24, and my afternoon viewing was a great antidote to that of the morning :-)

North Carolina native Jeanne Robertson is a humorist, author and motivational speaker who was named Miss North Carolina in 1963, and went on to become Miss Congeniality in the Miss America pageant that same year. Among other awards, she has won the Toastmasters International Golden Gavel Award.

Here is Jeanne telling us why we should NOT send a man to the grocery store:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YFRUSTiFUs

and here is Jeanne’s website:

http://www.jeannerobertson.com/

-JT

[Jamestown1630]

This month: A sticky, gooey molasses cake from Pennsylvania; something to liven your Zucchini; and a really funny lady.

(If you would like to be on or off of this monthly cooking ping list, please send a private message.)

-JT

[Liz]

Searhng for recipes——I actually came across the song “Shoo Fly Pie and Apple Pan Dowdy” ....a hit song by Dinah Shore

If you wanna do right by your appetite,
If you’re fussy about your food,
Take a choo-choo today, head New England way,
And we’ll put you in the happiest mood. with:

Shoo Fly Pie and Apple Pan Dowdy
Makes your eyes light up,
Your tummy say “Howdy.”
Shoo Fly Pie and Apple Pan Dowdy
I never get enough of that wonderful stuff.

Shoo Fly Pie and Apple Pan dowdy makes the sun come out
When Heavens are cloudy,
Shoo Fly Pie and Apple Pan Dowdy,
I never get enough of that wonderful stuff!
Mama! When you bake,
Mama! I don’t want cake;
Mama! For my sake
Go to the oven and make some ever lovin’ Sh,

Shoo Fly Pie and Apple Pan Dowdy
Makes your eyes light up,
Your tummy say “Howdy, “
Shoo Fly Pie and Apple Pan Dowdy
I never get enough of that wonderful stuff!

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Sammy Gallop / Guy Wood
Shoo Fly Pie and Apple Pan Dowdy lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

[Tacrolimus1mg]

I’m an avid baker, and that confection looks like something I’d love to try and that my family would love to eat.

My father’s mother used to make a chocolate cake with sour cream frosting, but we can’t find the frosting recipe anywhere. I came close with an alteration of a cream cheese frosting recipe, but not close enough.

I remember earing dump cake as a kid.. So bad for you, but so tasty. It’s all just processed junk thrown into a cake pan.

[Jamestown1630]

chocolate cake with sour cream frosting

The Husband Unit says that his mom made that same cake. When he talks with her next, we'll see if she remembers the recipe.

[Jamestown1630]

That sounded familiar:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa3IyfLmUOw&list=RDwa3IyfLmUOw&start_radio=1&t=0

[SkyDancer]

Need some nice cool summer dishes.

[Jamestown1630]

A Freeper named ‘leapfrog0202’ posted this recipe a couple of years ago. We tried it recently, and it was wonderful:

Copycat Buca Di Beppo Chopped Antipasto Salad

Ingredients:

1 package(s) romaine lettuce ( 10 ounces, mixed lettuce )

2 ounces pepperoni (sliced ¼ inch thick then diced into about ½-inch pieces)

2 tablespoons red onion (chopped - cut into ½-inch pieces)

1/4 cup provolone cheese (diced, sliced ¼ inch thick, then diced into about ½-inch piece )

1/2 cup cucumber (cubed, cut into 3/4 inch pieces)

1/4 cup gorgonzola cheese (crumbled)

1/4 cup feta cheese (crumbled)

1 tablespoon pepperoncini (sliced)

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 cup roma tomatoes (diced into 1/2 inch pieces, divided)

6 tablespoons Italian dressing (prepared Italian dressing
vinegrette - See recipe below)

6 pepperoncini (whole)

6 kalamata olives (pitted)

6 green olives

Directions:
In a large bowl, using gloved hands or tongs, toss together all ingredients except half the tomatoes, dressing, whole pepperoncini and the olives.

Add dressing around the outside perimeter of the bowl and toss, again using gloved hands or tongs. Do not overmix.

Divide salad among three large chilled salad bowls. Top salads with remaining chopped tomatoes, the whole pepperoncini and the olives.

Directions:

Combine the vinegar, oregano, dry mustard, salt and pepper in a blender. Add the onion and garlic. Blend together while slowly adding the olive oil. By adding the olive oil slowly, it will emulsify with the other ingredients creating a thicker vinaigrette. Let vinaigrette sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. This is best made shortly before using.

Homemade Italian Dressing Vinaigrette

1/3 cup white wine vinegar

3/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

salt black pepper

1/8 cup red onion (chopped fine)

1 1/2 teaspoons garlic (minced)

Olive oil

[Jamestown1630]

Ooops. Made a mistake - the ‘directions’ should come after the ingredients for the vinaigrette at the end; and I should have copied the person who originally posted the recipe.

[SkyDancer]

Copied and I on it. Will let you know how it came out and I didn’t poison everyone ....LOL

[Jamestown1630]

You can fly an airplane - I’m sure you’re on top of cooking :-)

[NorthstarMom]

I’ve been listening to Jeanne ever since hearing her on my mom’s satellite radio. She is so funny!!

[Jamestown1630]

I love her; and a lot of her ‘Southernisms’ remind me so much of my Grandmother.

[leaning conservative]

Looks delicious. I’ve been on a chocolate binge lately.

It too all my willpower to NOT pm you & ask where the cooking thread was ; )

This is such a delicious escape from real life. Thank you again.

[leaning conservative]

Took

[Jamestown1630]

I try to do it around the first of each month.

[kalee]

Love Jeanne Robinson. She lives not far from where I live, so she is frequently on stage in the area. Taking a Baptist to Vegas is funny too, but really all her stuff is funny!

[Jamestown1630]

Never saw anyone change denominations so quickly!

Baptist to Episcopalian, in one pull of the one-armed bandit :-)

[nopardons]

One of my favorite summer dinners is mostly "cool"; though you can substitute different things for the shrimp, such as leftover already cooked/roasted chicken.

My mother just called it "the cold plate". :-)

On a dinner plate, place thin slices of cucumber, tomatoes, black olives, green pimento olives ( you can leave these out ) ,sliced radishes, green, red, and/or orange slices of pepper/s, slices of avocado ( if you like them, or you can stuff the center with the shrimp or chicken salad ), and decoratively cut spring onions ( if you like them )in a decorative design. Add peeled cooked shrimp or shrimp salad or chicken salad and serve with a light salad dressing, on the side, IF desired for the veggies...and cocktail sauce for the shrimp cocktail, IF you use the shrimp that way.

[leaning conservative]

Yum!