October, 2008

  1. Pumpkin Fettucine

    October 20, 2008 by Tarrant Figlio

    Thanks again to Passionate Vegetarian and Crescent Dragonwagon* for another excellent meal. I made the Pasta with Pumpkin recipe last night and it was well-received. All sorts of nice beta-carotene vitamins, a bit of a different quick and easy recipe.
    Here is what you do: Start some water on to boil and then toss your fettucine noodles in it while you peel a small pumpkin. Yes…a SMALL pumpkin…1-2 lb. This is the hardest part. (Does anyone have pumpkin peeling tips by the way?)  Slice it in long narrow strips. I think the recipe said 1/3 inch strips. I used the mandolin on the thick slice which is probably much thinner than that. I don’t know. Saute the strips for a few minutes. Then toss some garlic in…I used about 1 1/2 tsps of the chopped “jar” garlic. Stick a lid on the pan, I tossed a bit of water in it from the boiling noodles too. Cook for about 5 minutes until pumpkin is tender. (and your noodles should be done by this point as well) Drain the noodles. Dump them back in the pot you boiled them in. Mix in pumpkin and some fresh grated parmesan. (yes, use fresh grated this time–by the way I found quite the deal on inexpensive parmesan at a grocery store that focuses on mainly imported foods from Europe)  Add some salt and pepper.  Serve. That is it.  Super quick, simple and a nice change of pace.

    Note: this is very, very filling.

    *By the way, if you are at all a corn bread fan or corn fritter fan or anything with corn meal–the Cornbread Gospels ROCKS-she sent me a copy and I am definitely going to talk more about it–though I would have even if I bought it.

    Category Recipes, Vegetables | Tags: | 5 Comments

  2. Pecan Confections

    October 17, 2008 by Tarrant Figlio

    These are quick and easy. They are delightful…and a perfect way to look like you were paying attention when you signed up to bring a cookie to the church social hour or the PTA coffee. They will be comforting…but a wee bit different… a wee bit trendy…they are so retro they are back. Parchment paper or waxed paper will make this easier, but don’t worry if you don’t have any on hand.

    Pecan Confections

    Beat 1 egg white to a stiff froth. Add gradually 1 cup brown sugar mixed with 1 tablespoon flour and 1/8 tsp salt. Fold in 1 cup chopped pecans. Drop by teaspoons on greased cookie sheet. Bake in slow oven, 300 F., for 15 min. Cool a little before removing from cookie sheet. Makes 2 dozen.

    Category Cookies, Recipes, retro food | Tags: | 5 Comments

  3. Caramel Frosting

    October 16, 2008 by Tarrant Figlio

    As I have mentioned before, I seem to be the family holder of recipes. I do have my great-grandmother’s recipe cards. I did jot down a few important recipes over the phone in the 20 or so years I have not lived with my mom. Now, I do get the occasional call for a recipe or an email.

    My sister wrote one such email the other day asking after the recipe box. She needs a number of recipes. The following is one of them. Now, here is the thing.

    This IS the right recipe and it does work…except when it doesn’t. I am not sure why–magic? timing? witchcraft?. And of course, none of us who have sat through a long meal with Nini presiding in hopes of getting a slice of her caramel cake at the end will ever be quite satisfied with it. The frosting really is the important part, but if you need to know…it goes on a basic 1-2-3-4 cake.

    Caramel Frosting

    2 cups granulated sugar
    3/4 cup milk
    1/2 cup granulated sugar (melted)
    1 tsp vanilla extract
    2 tbsp butter
    1/4 tsp salt

    Put the 2 cups sugar, salt and 3/4 milk in saucepan, stir until well-mixed and bring to a boil. In another dry pan, but the 1/2 cup sugar and melt while the other mixture is coming to the boiling point. When a golden brown, add to first mixture (take off fire while adding). Cook to soft ball stage, add butter and vanilla. Cool and beat until thick enough to use.

    Category Cake, Desserts, Recipes, retro food | Tags: | 1 Comment

  4. Easy Apple Cake

    October 15, 2008 by Tarrant Figlio

    We have an abundance of apples. From the scene at the farmer’s market this week, we aren’t the only ones. There are few things better in the fall for using up apples than an apple cake. Here is a family favorite.

    Apple Cake

    2 qts chopped apples in 2 qt baking dish

    Cream together 1 stick butter, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 egg.

    Sift together 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 tsp salt, 2 tbs. baking powder. Combine with creamed ingredients. Pour batter over apples.
    Top with 3/4 cup of sugar mixed with cinnamon. Bake 45 min at 375 F.

    Category Cake, Fruits, Recipes, retro food | Tags: | 2 Comments

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