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Tag >> holiday specials

Jun 29
2008

Baking therapy for the whole gang

Posted by Specialtslisa in trauma resolution skillsRosevilleRocklinrecreationrecipesplaceropolisphotographyparentsparentinglifeleisurekidshuman potentialholiday specialshobbiesgrowthgrandparentsgrandparentinggrandparentGold Country Familiesfunfoodfeeling goodfamily-orientedfamilyfamiliesentertainmentenjoymentdiningCommunitychildrenblogsblogauburnArts

Specialtslisa
With the fourth of July approaching the planning is underway for a family get together and for me this means great food which equals lots of play time in the kitchen for chefs of all ages.

We have much to celebrate, and some wounds to lick as well. So, I am going to soak up all the baking therapy that I can. Here are a couple of our favorite recipies. These are great for little helpers as well.

Before the baking can begin We will set the mood. I like to make the kitchen as bright as possible, letting in lots of sunshine. In the background low up-beat music on. I have a table in the sort of breakfast nook where I put out any pictures and momentos along with all the material for scrap booking. I also place lots of disposable cameras around the area so eveyone can join in. (I really love the candide shots that get snapped this way) With the stage set these are a couple to the recipes we will be making this year.

Grandma's everyday cake, with a fruity 4th inspired topping and Pineapple and Cake kabobs.

Grandma's everyday cake.

1/3 cup Crisco Shortening
1 3/4 cups Sifted cake flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoons real Vanilla

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees
Place Shortening in mixing bowl. sift in dry ingredients. Add egg and half the milk; mix till flour is moistened. beat 2 inutes at medium speed on electric mixer. Add remaining milk and vanilla; beat 2 minutes longer. Bake in greased and lightly floured 9x9x2 inch baking pan at 375 degrees for about 25 minutes.

Cool on wire rack.

While the cake is cooling it is time to mix the topping.

clean and rinse all fruit under cool running water.

Add 1 cup slice strawberries, 1/2 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup rassberries and 1 meduim slice banana. gently toss in large mixing bowl with 1/4 cup sugar. place mixing bowl into refrigerator.

Make sure the cake is fully cooled and then cover with enough whipped topping to completely cover cake in about 1/2 inch of whipping. gently fold fruit mixture on toppin. serve imedietly.

This next recipe is fun for younger cooks to assemble

Pineapple and Cake kabobs.

Cut one meduim fresh pineapple and 1 pound cake into 1 1/2 inch squares.

Marinate the pineapple in 1/2 cup maple syrup and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. set aside.
melt 1/2 cup currant jelly, dip the pound cake cubes in melted jelly and then roll in flaked coconut until fully coated. assemble on skewers in everyother fashion. (one cube cake, one cub Pineapple) Toast over very hot coals until turning often until golden brown.


Do not forget this is the perfect time to talk and laugh, to cry and hug, or just stop the hustle and bussle of modern life and enjoy some quality family time.

Have a happy and safe 4th of July everyone.

Lisa Sabrina Fults

Special Ts and Sports.

Jun 24
2008

Baking therapy

Posted by Specialtslisa in RosevilleplaceropolisPlacer CountyPlacerlifeleisurekidsholiday specialshobbiesGold Country FamiliesGold Countryfunfoodfeeling goodfamilyfamiliesentertainmentCommunitychildren

Specialtslisa

My quilty pleasure........

Ever since I can remember the process of baking cookies made it all better.  If I was sad, heart broken or lonely my mom would bring me into the kitchen and we would bake.

 We sometimes did not even talk. My mom did things from scratch. I love organizing the bowls, spoons, all the ingredients. Feeling the oven warm.

By the time the mixing started whatever was weighing my heart down do not seem so big.

Our favorite Cookie Reciepes :

Spicy Hermits: 1/2 cup crisco shortening, 1 cup brown sugar (firmly packed), 1 large grade a egg, 2 tablespoons water.

cream shortening and sugar, mix in egg, then water, set aside.

1 1/2 cup all purpose flour, 1 tablespoon instant coffee powder. 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teasoopn ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, 3/4 cup raisins, 1/2 cup broken walnuts.

pre-heat oven to 375, sift together dry ingredients, add to creamed mixture, stir in raisins and nuts, Drop from teaspoon 2 inches apart on lightly freased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Make about 40 cookies.

Our kitchen was a focal point not just for bad or sad times but celebrations as well.

Ever year my Dad had Pie frenzy. He would bake so many flavors all from scratch. all pie dough had to be done by scratch.  Apple, pumpkin, chocolate, pecan, peach, banana cream, and on and on.

We had so much joy in that space, the gang all chipped in. Neighbors, family, friends from near and far.

My Dad past away in 1991 and my mom moved to O.K. to be close to her sister, my brothers and sisters are all scatter about , even my kids are grown and off doing thier own thing. So now it is just me, but I still bake.

 My sister, Sheila, has kept the pie frenzy going but she renamed it pie fest and all the nieghbors in Scottsdale can't wait to dig in.

Coming up next issue our favorite fourth of July cake and drinks.

Lisa Sabrina Fults 

Special Ts and Sports 

Dec 14
2007

LUNCH BUNCH

Posted by Loyce in restaurantholiday specialsfood

Loyce

Enjoyed a friendly lunch Thursday after a lively radio program hosting the talented thrush Jane Rivar who enjoyed coffee post-program with her producer Mark and owner Linda Lareau who played Jane's serene CD  Friends Donna Arz and Syl Bruce joined me at the Monkey Cat where I dove into a tasty Crab Melt followed with a shared chocolate dessert with Arz.  Server Trish did a good job of serving the table and we left sated/satisfied, not having seen Jim Brill who works dinners and mentioned when I talked to him later that he will be serving on Christmas Eve.  Jim is a cordial host and worked for many years at Fior D' Italia in San Francisco; so I can say Jim has humility and has made the transition from the big city to our small town.