Flashback Friday ~ Frankfurter Kranz

This cake is one of those favorite birthday cakes that many of the Europeans enjoyed.   When my husband tasted this cake while visiting the Calgary Cousins, he asked whether I thought I could make him one. I took on the challenge and have been making this for him annually.  Bake a simple sponge cake and yes, you can bake this in a round pan, but I prefer to use the loaf pan so that I can cut it into slices and freeze it.

I invited Frieda Bartel, a pro at baking cakes, for a lesson on cake baking...three simple steps.


Sponge Cake  ~ Step One

• 9 eggs separate yolks from whites
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 half tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions.

1. Set oven at 350 °
2. Separate egg whites from yolks.
3. Mix yolks and sugar at high speed for 5 minutes.
4. Add vanilla, baking powder, flour and cornstarch.
5. Blend ingredients well together.
6. Whip egg whites till stiff and fold into cake batter.
7. Grease the bottom of your pan and dust lightly with flour.
8. Pour sponge batter into your cake pan.
9. Bake for 40 minutes.
10. Turn the cake pan over and let it hang upside down for 40 minutes.
11. Cut cake into two layers.

Whip Cream~ Step Two

• 2 cups whip cream 
• 2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding

1. Spread whip cream over one sliced layer.
2. Spread whip cream over loaf.

Burnt Almond Mixture: Step Three.   This is the real secret to this cake.

• 2 cups whole blanched almonds chopped coarsely
• 2 cups sugar

1.  Immerse almonds into hot water for 1 minute, to avoid nut crumbs flying all over the place. Chop coarsely and evenly.
2. Add almonds into a frying pan and add 2 cups of sugar.
3. Stir slowly in the frying pan at med-high heat, until all the sugar caramelizes and turns brown.
4. Rotate the heat from med to med-high over the next 45 minutes.
5. It needs to be done slowly, otherwise, the sugar will not caramelize.
6. This process is what makes the cake special and as you can see, it takes.....TIME!
7. I had enough nuts left over to make another cake for a later time. I just froze them. 

Frieda carefully showed me how to stir the almonds to make sure they were the right texture and then how to apply them to the cake.

Summary of Three Steps.

1. Make your simple sponge cake recipe, or buy a cake mix.
2. Remember to turn the cake upside down to cool for 40 minutes.
3. Slice cake into two layers.
4. Whip two cups of whipping cream and add 2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding.
5. Spread the first layer with whip cream mixture.
6. Spread the middle layer with tart raspberry jam.
7. Spread remaining whip cream mixture over the entire cake.
8. Spread burnt almond mixture over the entire cake.

It's always fun to cook with someone else. You learn so many life lessons. I love her last words of advice to me.  Thanks Frieda.

"Marg, learn to buy cake mixes rather than thinking you need to do everything from scratch....The results are the same and no one knows."

Artichoke and Spinach Dip

Some of us girls and our husbands got together for an appetizer and dessert evening last month at Anneliese's place. We all brought something to add to the buffet of amazing food. My contribution was this Artichoke and Spinach Dip. This dip can be made the day before and heated before serving. 

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 large cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup red onion, minced fine
• 4 cups fresh spinach
• 3/4 cup cream
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, cut into small cubes
• 2 cups canned artichokes, drained and chopped
• 2/3 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated

1. Heat oil in a large heavy skillet. Add garlic and onions and saute over medium heat until they begin to sizzle but not brown.
2. Add spinach and cream. Stir and cook until spinach wilts and cooks down. Add salt, pepper and lemon juice.
3. Cut cream cheese into small cubes and add to the creamed spinach mixture, stirring until cream cheese has melted.
4. Remove from heat and add artichokes, roasted red peppers, and remaining 2 cheeses.
5. Stir well until cheeses have melted. 
6. Pour this mixture into a low oven proof dish.
7. Bake at 375º for 20 minutes or until dip is hot and bubbly. 
8. Serve hot, with pita chips or crackers. 

Bruschetta Skillet Chicken

This is a simple stove top meal with good flavor. It would be good served with pasta on the side.

• 1-1/2 cups of grape tomatoes halved. (You can substitute a 15oz. can of chopped tomatoes, drained)
• 3/4 cup shredded Italian blend cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1 pound of Chicken Tenders
• 1 8 oz. can of tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
• 1 cup small garlic or Italian flavored croutons, crushed slightly

1. Stir together tomatoes, cheese and basil in medium bowl and set aside.
2. Combine tomato sauce and garlic in large skillet: add chicken.
3. Bring sauce to a boil over medium-high heat.
4. Reduce heat to medium-low.
5. Add the mixed tomatoes, cheese and basil evenly on top of the chicken.
6. Cook for 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
7. Top with croutons and more cheese if  desired.
8. Serve hot with pasta or another side dish.

Serves 4

You can use boneless skinless chicken breasts instead of the tenders but you will need to pound them to a 1/2 inch thickness.

Potato Cakes

Do you have leftover mashed potatoes from your Easter weekend festivities? Often towards the end of the week my mom would use up the leftovers and on occasion she would make these potato pancakes using mashed potatoes. She didn't usually add cheese, I did. Isn't everything better with a bit of cheese?

• 2 cups of seasoned mashed potatoes
• 1/2 cup of grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 or 2 tablespoon of chopped green onion
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons flour
• oil for browning

1. Combine all the above ingredients. 
2. Shape into patties.
3. Brown in a bit of oil on medium heat.
4. Serve with sour cream and or ketchup.

Creamy Cilantro Dressing

This winter when we were in Texas we always went to eat at the same chicken place every Sunday after church. We fell in love with their salad served in a tortilla bowl. It was filled with rice, beans, lettuce, grilled chicken, pico de gallo, cilantro, sour cream, cheese, and with salsa and a lovely creamy cilantro dressing on the side. Once home I immediately made this cilantro dressing. It is a little different in taste from the restaurant but wonderful all the same. I tried to replicate the salad as I remembered it. I didn't have the tortilla bowls but served the salad with tortilla chips which was quite tasty too.

• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 cup packed cilantro, stems removed
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Put all ingredients in the blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Store in refrigerator.
3. Yield: 1 1/2 cups

Bread For The Journey

As I reflected there in the Garden of Gethsemane, at the foot of Mount Olives, I realized that Jesus had sat there too under those Olive trees in anguish, intensely praying as he waited to be be betrayed by one of his friends.

In his last moments, in agony, before His Crucifixion, He prayed for physical and emotional strength for his inevitable journey to the cross.  This past fall we had the privilege of visiting the city of Jerusalem.  The time was too short, but we had a small glimpse into the life of Jesus.  Jerusalem is known as the birthplace for Christianity and it is also known as the 'center of the world' for many religions.  It is Jesus Resurrection which is the core of Christianity.  Without this, the Christian faith would have no foundation.

Can you catch up with me and feel the amazing transformation as we walk through the narrow pathways of the Via Dolorosa, also known as the Way of Sorrow?  This is the pathway that Jesus walked that led him  to his fateful journey to the Crucifixion. There are 14 stations known as the stations of the Cross.  Along this journey you will be  reminded  where Jesus falls for the first time, where he meets his Mother Mary, where he takes up his Cross, and he falls again and again.  As one continues to walk through the narrow walk ways and courtyards one will reach the pathway to the Holy Sepulchre where one can  witness his crucifixion, burial and resurrection.
It was here in this Holy place where I heard a group of people singing, "Fairest Lord Jesus"  I felt blessed as we sang along in harmony, the old favorite hymn that claims that 'Jesus is Ruler of all Nations'.

 

At times I was aggravated as our tour guide rushed us along.  Throngs of people were pushing and shoving  themselves so that they could touch and feel the elements.  Many times I felt that I could not sit long enough at each station reflecting on what Jesus had experienced.
Then I saw a woman draped over the slate that Jesus was laid upon in the tomb and I watched her weep and was overcome with emotion myself. And there it was that I realized many people from many faiths and nationalities were coming to Jerusalem to ponder and reflect upon their own spiritual pilgrimage.  One cannot grasp it all, but what one can grasp, is that without the Resurrection, our Christian faith would be empty and the story of Jesus would have no relevance.

Here it is, Sunday, the day he was resurrected from the tomb.  "He Arose".  He did that for you and me.  Do you believe that he arose?   Can you imagine taking a morning stroll out to the tomb and finding the stone rolled away and two angels saying to you,
 "He is not here, but he is risen." Luke 24:6

One does not need to go to Jerusalem to have this experience. John 3:16 states, For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The first half of this verse is all about God and who he is and the latter half is about you and me.  That's what the Gospel is all about and that's exactly why God sent his son Jesus to pave the way for mankind to have eternal life with him.  God has left it up to us. He's given us the basics and now we have been given a choice.

John 14:6. "I am the way, the truth and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me."

Today Jesus still remains the central figure of the human race. Why do you think this one man could have such an effect on society? Even though he was crucified on the cross, he still arose after three days.  Which other religious leaders have died and been resurrected?  And it was his disciples that testified these events and continued preaching the gospel.  I hope that you can take some time to search and truly reflect the authenticity of who Jesus Christ is and recognize that He can be in your life today.

He is Risen Indeed!

Easter in Marg's Kitchen

It's Easter and I'm sure most of you have all been busy preparing for this special season. When I reflect back to my early years, I remember my Mother baking Paska in coffee tins. We always painted eggs on Saturdays and I don't know why, but colored eggs tasted so much better. Today, I feel blessed  to share with you how we can continue passing down some of our Easter traditions to the next generation, by just living normal lives and involving them.

I've always enjoyed baking with the little ones.  Ivy is more than content to sit on my kitchen island with a few baking cups and a handful of dough as she continuously becomes the taste tester.    It's delightful to watch her create her own version of Oma's Paska. Can you hear us singing in the background the old German nursery rhyme? Backe Backe Kuchen  (Pat a cake)

Another grandchild, Silas seemed somewhat pleased when I pulled out my large Easter box and found our favorite decorations. He unpacked all the little ornaments and carefully arranged them on the mantle, and it did not take long before cousin Ivy came over and discovered her favorite bunnies. These times give opportunities to share with the children the symbols of Easter which are rich in meaning.

As you can see, my kitchen island has been built with dual purposes. It's just the perfect level and there is always lots of space.  Silas was interested in painting the eggs, and so we tried some new experiments, but we both did not like the results, so we fell back to the true and tested method of using colored dye from the package. Eggs are the epitiome of promised life. Life has been sealed away for a time resulting in new life. Jesus is the gift not only of life, but of eternal life.

Bunnies, birds and chicks, are all newly born creatures which remind us of the the new birth of Christ. Because of Easter we can become 'new creatures'.

 The green, yellow, pink and lavender colors symbolize that the earth burst forth into new fresh colors which means, 'life wins'  How we all anticipate the resurrection when all nature is 'rising again'.

 Paska itself is a sweetened citrus bread dough usually eaten on Sunday. It comes from the Hebrew language  representing life and the rising of Christ

The Seerney spread is something that my Grandmother always made. One can never have enough of this yummy cheese spread.  Ellen's Russian heritage brings us this specialty recipe.  The cross and letters that you see also have strong meaning to our Christian faith:  X meaning Kree Stos  'Christ'   B meaning Vos krees 'Arose'.  'Christ Arose'

And at the end of Saturday, don't you all remember how our moms and grandmothers would get on their  hands and knees and wash the floors?   It's wonderful when our little grandchildren can work along side of us.

What are your favorite traditions?

Wishing you special joy as you make your last minute Easter preparations.

Good Friday - Can a Good Deed Go Wrong?

The moral at the end of Aesop's fable "The Fox and the Lion" states... 

 "Familiarity breeds contempt." 

How easy it is to become cavalier about something that becomes so familiar

 we barely glance at it as we pass by. 

I sometimes fear there is a real danger
for the story of Good Friday
becoming so familiar

 that it no longer stirs our emotions. 

A recent story in the news that caught my attention was 

connected with the Germanwings flight 9525, 

It gave me cause to add a fresh insight to the story of Good Friday. 

A fifteen year old girl, 

one of the 16 students returning home, 

met her fellow students at the train station, to take the train to the airport.

At the station this girl suddenly realized

 that she had left a bag at her host family's house. 

In this bag were her passports and travel documents. 

She could not fly home without them !

Her host family kindly offered the solution. 

They would take her back to their house, pick up the documents 

and then arrive at the airport in time for her to catch her flight with the rest of her group.

This deed of kindness,  so graciously given by this host family, 

intended for the GOOD of the student 

 ended with her death. 

My thoughts went to Jesus.  
His sacrifice, 

His cruel death on the cross was intended for the GOOD of every man ...
 but not every man is saved.
Some reject His gift of life and by default face eternal death.  

I pictured the agony of the host family realizing that what they intended for good 

ended with the girl's death.   

Then I pictured the heart of God

 and the agony of sorrow that He feels for every person 

who does not benefit from the priceless gift He offers - forgiveness and eternal life.  

   "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, 
but is longsuffering toward us, 
not willing that ANY should perish but that ALL should come to repentance."
2Pe 3:9

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that if YOU believe on Him 
YOU will not perish but have ever lasting life!"   
John 3:16, emphasis mine

The beauty of the cross is the Love of God 

Mashed Potatoes with Apples and Onions

It's fun to switch up even the mashed potatoes for special occasions. This version, with caramelized onions, was inspired by a recipe from Style at Home last Fall and I thought it would go well with the Easter ham now.

Ingredients:

• 8 medium sized gold potatoes, with skin on
• 2 apples, cored and peeled
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 large onions
• 6 Tbsp butter, divided
• 1/4 cup milk (or less)
• 2 Tbsp freshly stripped  thyme leaves

Method:

1. Wash potatoes and cook quartered potatoes and apples, garlic and salt until soft. About 25 minutes. Drain and let steam escape.
2. Meanwhile, cook sliced onions in 2 Tbsp butter, stirring often, until golden brown in color. Set aside.
3. Once ready to mash potatoes, add 4 Tbsp butter and milk to make desired consistency.
4. Stir in fine thyme leaves.
5. Layer potatoes and onions in serving dish. Can be loosely covered and kept warm on low heat in oven.

Serve with ham, pork tenderloin or roast chicken, steamed green beans and a salad.

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bundles

Today is my Grandson, Kyle's 11th birthday. 

When I asked him what his favourite food is he said "BACON".  

Somehow I wasn't surprised. 

Here's his favourite bacon choice right now.

 I didn't get a recipe per se so I followed the instructions his mom gave me and although they were not as neat as I'd like them to be, they baked up nicely. 

 I think they would also make good appetizers if I cut the chicken into smaller pieces and renamed them Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites.

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bundles

• 3 large chicken breasts
• 1/2  pound bacon, cut each slice in half
• maple syrup
• cracked pepper

1. If chicken breasts are quite thick, place each between pieces of plastic wrap and pound lightly until of even thickness.
2. Cut each breast lengthwise into 3 or 4 strips.
3. Lay a piece of bacon on a plate and place a strip of chicken on top.
4. Roll up (like a cinnamon roll) and secure with a toothpick.
5. Repeat with remaining chicken.
6. Place on a parchment paper or foil lined baking sheet.
7. Place a little maple syrup in a cup and baste each chicken bundle.
8. Sprinkle with cracked black pepper.
9. Bake at 350º for 15 minutes.  Baste with maple syrup again.
10. Bake until chicken is done, basting frequently.