CARAMEL APPLE CAKE

CARAMEL APPLE CAKE
This fabulous apple cake recipe came from the September 2015 issue of Southern Living Magazine and it is a winner!  I made it this week to take to a friend's house as a dinner dessert.  I must admit I did not have apple brandy to use in the sauce so I substituted apple juice and it worked just fine.  My husband and I are particularly fond of Gala apples.  Olivia recently purchased some for me at the Wakarusa Produce Auction (if you live in Northern Indiana and have never attended, you really should--it is awesome).  The apples did well sauteing them with butter.  They held up and really were tender yet crisp.  If you are looking for a delicious autumn dessert that is really pretty too, try this cake recipe.
-Nanette

Ingredients

CAKE   

1 1/3 cups firmly packed light brown sugar

3/4 cup butter, softened    

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3 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon table salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 cup buttermilk

Shortening    

APPLES

2 pounds McIntosh apples (about 6 apples, 6 to 7 oz. each)

1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pinch of table salt

2 tablespoons butter

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENT

Apple Brandy-Caramel Sauce

Preparation

1. Prepare Cake: Preheat oven to 350°. Beat first 2 ingredients at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition; stir in vanilla.
2. Whisk together flour and next 4 ingredients in a medium bowl. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat just until blended after each addition. Spread batter in a greased (with shortening) and floured 9- x 2-inch round cake pan.
3. Bake at 350° for 50 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, shielding with aluminum foil after 35 to 40 minutes to prevent excessive browning, if necessary. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan, and cool completely (about 1 hour).
4. Meanwhile, prepare Apples. Cut apples into 1/2-inch-thick wedges. Toss together apples, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and next 3 ingredients. Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add apple mixture, and sauté 5 to 6 minutes or until crisp-tender and golden. Cool completely (about 30 minutes).
5. Arrange sautéed apples over cooled cake, and drizzle with desired amount of warm Apple Brandy-Caramel Sauce; serve with remaining sauce.

APPLE BRANDY CARAMEL SAUCE

Ingredients

1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup heavy cream

Pinch of table salt

1 tablespoon apple brandy

1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Preparation

Bring brown sugar, butter, cream, and salt to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Remove from heat, and stir apple brandy. Whisk in powdered sugar; cool 15 minutes before serving.

SWEET AND SOUR MEATBALLS

SWEET AND SOUR MEATBALLS
This recipe is older than I am and that is OLD!  It is a favorite in our family and one Olivia used recently when she held an open house.  They are pictured to the left in the picture below.  Next time you need something easy for sandwiches or an easy dish for a tailgate party, try some of these.  You won't be able to tell there is grape jelly or chili sauce, but the combination is a delicious sweet and savory combination.  Make your own meatballs if this recipe doesn't seem quite "homemade" enough for you.  Enjoy!
-Nanette

SWEET AND SOUR MEATBALLS

1 - 16 oz. jar of grape jelly
1 - 12 oz. jar of chili sauce
1 - bag of precooked, frozen meatballs, thawed in the fridge overnight

Mix all ingredients in a crockpot lined with a crockpot liner.  Turn on low and heat until meatballs are warmed through and the sauce is incorporated.  Stir to combine well and serve!  These are delicious as an appetizer, on a crusty roll with a bit of crunchy Asian slaw, or served over rice.

BACON WAFFLE

BACON WAFFLES

Who doesn't like homemade waffles and who doesn't like bacon?  If you like both you are going to enjoy making bacon waffles.  It is a simple concept that makes the great taste of bacon permeate the entire waffle.  The addition of the bacon's crispy texture makes this a special treat.

If you like the idea of homemade waffles but rarely take the time to make them, make these ahead and freeze them for individual use later.  Just pop them in the toaster when you are ready to use them as you would any frozen waffle.  Enjoy!
-Nanette

BACON WAFFLE

1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
waffle mix of your choice (Olivia used Bisquick.)
ingredients your waffle mix requires
REAL maple syrup
softened butter

1)  Mix up a batch of your favorite waffle mix.
2)  Ladle the batter into a preheated waffle maker and sprinkle with the bacon.
3)  Cook as directed on your waffle mix.
4)  Top with a pat of butter and REAL maple syrup.

HEALTHIER POTATO HASH

HEALTHY POTATO HASH
This time of year everyone is looking for a inventive ways to use garden vegetables that are coming on strong.  This delightful potato hash combines some new flavor combinations that cut down on the carb loaded potatoes and incorporate healthier alternatives.  The hash is colorful and tasty.  It will be a great accompaniment to any of your grilled favorites.  You can really enjoy the addition of creamy feta and spicy jalapeno peppers!
-Nanette

HEALTHIER POTATO HASH

4 small red potatoes, diced
2 kohlrabi heads, peeled and diced
5 radishes, peeled and diced
1 red onion, chopped
2 sweet peppers, chopped
1 jalapeño, ribs/seeds removed and chopped
garlic, chopped
salt
pepper
Italian parsley, chopped
feta cheese

1)  Saute onion, both kinds of peppers, and garlic over medium heat for just a few minutes.
2)  Add in the red potatoes, kohlrabi, radishes, and pepper and sauté until the potatoes and kohlrabi are tender.  Add the salt and Italian parsley.
3)  Spoon up the servings of hash.  Sprinkle with feta cheese and serve.

TRI-COLORED PEPPERCORN BEEF

TRI-COLORED PEPPERCORN BEEF STEAK

If you follow the Pioneer Woman on Food Network on television or online, you may already be familiar with this recipe.  Not many people don't enjoy a good steak on the grill in the summer.  Trying to create something new and different isn't always easy.  This recipe does just that.  Olivia made it and says it is delicious and flavorful.  If you like pepper, you will enjoy this.  The savory bite of the pepper adds just the right amount of punch to the meat.  You will love this rich, tasty steak.
-Nanette

STEAK WITH TRI-COLORED PEPPERCORN SAUCE

Ingredients

Steaks:
8 whole beef fillets or other good steaks
Lemon pepper
Seasoned salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Melted butter

Sauce:
4 to 6 tablespoons tri-color peppercorns, crushed
4 tablespoons butter
1 beef bouillon cube
4 to 6 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 cup brandy
1 1/2 to 2 cups heavy cream (can substitute half-and-half for some of the cream)



Directions

For the steaks: Sprinkle both sides of the steak with lemon pepper, seasoned salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side over high heat, and then a further 3 to 5 minutes over lower heat. Brush with melted butter as they cook.

Meanwhile, make the sauce: Start by crushing the peppercorns with a rolling pin in a zip-top bag and set them aside.

Next, heat a heavy ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat and melt the butter. Crumble in the beef bouillon cube. Whisk to combine. Then add the Dijon mustard to the skillet and whisk it around a bit. Pour in the brandy. Whisk the Dijon and brandy together until combined, and then let it bubble for about 45 seconds or so. Then pour in the heavy cream and the crushed peppercorns. Whisk it all together, allowing it to bubble for a few minutes to thicken. Spoon it over the grilled steaks.

THREE CHEESE POTATOES IN FOIL PACKETS

THREE CHEESE POTATOES IN FOIL PACKETS
Olivia got this recipe from Taste of Home and she swears by it.  Nothing is better in the summer than to take fresh produce of any kind and use your imagination to make some delectable vegetable packet for grilling.  The most important things to remember when cooking in foil are to spray the foil surface with vegetable oil before assembly and to turn them frequently until soft to the touch with tongs.  If you follow these simple rules you won't go wrong.  Try mixing various ingredients and seasonings to find out what you like.  The best part about cooking with foil it the easy clean up. We hope you enjoy these.
-Nanette

Ingredients

• 3 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon minced chives
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon
• 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Transfer to a double thickness of greased heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Dot with butter.
2. Fold foil around potato mixture and seal tightly. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 15-18 minutes on each side or until potatoes are tender.
3. Carefully open foil. Sprinkle the bacon cheeses over potato mixture. Grill 3-5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Open foil carefully to allow steam to escape. Yield: 4-6 servings.
   
   

DILLY ONION POTATO SALAD

DILLY ONION POTATO SALAD
Olivia has never been a fan of mayonnaise so potato salad has never been one of her favorite dishes.  German potato salad, as she was growing up, was the only exception because it was warm and did not include mayo.  This creamy dill concoction was a creation of hers that satisfies the desire for potato salad without including the mayo.  It seems to me a brighter, more refreshing potato salad that may help you break the monotony of the usual fare.  Give it a try.  I think if you like potatoes and you like dill, you will indeed like this potato salad.  Add it to your summer line up!
-Nanette

DILLY ONION POTATO SALAD

For the potatoes:
5 medium new potatoes, cubed
1/4 cup olive oil
salt
freshly ground pepper

For the dilly onion sauce:
1/2 cup light Ken's sweet onion dressing
3/4 cup light sour cream
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
salt
freshly ground pepper
1 teaspoon chopped chives
1 teaspoon chopped dill

1)  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2)  Toss the ingredients for the potatoes and spread on a foil lined cookie sheet.
3)  Roast the potatoes for 20-30 minutes, tossing midway through, until the potatoes are roasted, but still semi-firm.  Remove the potatoes from the oven and allow the potatoes to cool for 10-15 minutes.
4)  While the potatoes are cooling, mix the sauce ingredients together.
5)  Toss the sauce with the potatoes in a large mixing bowl after potatoes are cooled, but still slightly warm.  The warmth from the potatoes will help the potatoes to absorb the sauce, but you don't want the potatoes piping hot, or it will severely melt the sauce.
5)  Serve!  This potato salad is good cold the day after as well.  Or, if you prefer, slightly warm the potato salad for a few seconds in the microwave.