Pumpkin Pound Cake with Walnut Sauce

CAKE
2 3/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. butter or margarine, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
6 eggs
3 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. cloves
1 cup canned pumpkin (or fresh)

SAUCE
1 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 c. dark corn syrup
1/2 c. whipping cream
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
  Dash salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. chopped walnuts or walnut halves

Heat oven to 350 F. Generously grease and lightly flour 12-cup Bundt pan. In large bowl, beat sugar and 1 1/2 cups butter until light and fluffy. Add 1 tsp vanilla; add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. In small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves; mix well. Alternately add dry ingredients and pumpkin to butter mixture, beating well after each addition. Pour batter into greased and floured pan.

Bake at 350 F for 60 to 70 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes; invert onto serving plate. Cool completely.

In medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, corn syrup, whipping cream, 2 Tbsp butter and dash of salt. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in 1/2 tsp vanilla and walnuts. Serve warm sauce over slices of cake. Refrigerate any remaining sauce.

Yield: 16 servings

TIP:
Cake can be baked in two greased and floured 9x5-inch loaf pans. Bake as directed above.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Best when served the next day, this bread is an easy make-ahead. It also can be frozen for later use.

3/4 c. sugar                     1/2 c. marg. or butter, softened
1 c. mashed ripe bananas         1/2 c. sour cream
2 eggs                           2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda               1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. chocolate chips           1/2 c. nuts (optional)

Heat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour bottom only of one 9x5 or two 8x4-inch loaf pans. In large bowl, combine sugar and margarine; beat until light and fluffy. Add bananas, sour cream and eggs; blend well. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt; blend well. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts. Pour into greased and floured pan.

Bake at 350 F for 55 to 65 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes; remove from pan. Cool completely. Wrap tightly and store in refrigerator.

Pizza Crust

1/2 c. warm water with 1/4 tsp. sugar
Add 1 pkg active dry yeast (2 tsp)
Let sit until foamy

1 1/2 c. flour               1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

Add to yeast mixture. Turn out on a lightly floured board and knead until smooth and elastic. Lightly grease bowl, place dough in and rotate to grease the whole surface of the dough. Cover and let rise until double (abt 1 to 1 1/2 hours).

When doubled, punch down. Place dough on lightly floured surface and let rest 10 minutes. Roll out to pizza pan size.

Preheat oven to 400 F. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until crust is brown.

New Red Boiled Potatoes

2 parts olive oil
1 part balsamic vinegar

sundried tomatoes, chopped
fresh basil, chopped
garlic, minced
salt & pepper, to taste

Mix together with cooked potatoes. Grate some Asiago cheese and put on last, just before serving.

Mushroom Burgers

2 eggs                        2 c. mushrooms, finely diced
2 gr. onions, sliced          3/4 c. bread crumbs
2 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce   1/3 c. couscous & some oats
Salt & pepper, to taste       3/4 c. swiss cheese, grated

Mix together; sit 10 minutes prior to frying. These are delicate burgers to BBQ, easiest cooking in a pan on the stove.

Broccoli Salad

1 whole egg & 1 egg yolk           1/4 c. white vinegar
1/2 c. sugar                       1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dry mustard               2 Tbsp. butter
1 1/2 tsp. cornstarch              1/2 c. mayo

In small bowl whisk egg, yolk, sugar, mustard and cornstarch.
In pan: vinegar, 1/4 c. water, salt and bring to boil. Whisk in egg, cook and whisk constantly for 1 minute or until thick.
Remove from heat and whisk in butter and mayo. Chill covered with plastic wrap.

Salad:
4 c. broccoli flowers              6 slices bacon, crisp & crumbled
1 c. raisins                       1 c. mushrooms, sliced
1/2 c. red onion, chopped

Mix salad ingredients together. Pour dressing over and toss well just before serving.

Mom's Chili Con Carne

Heat in large heavy frying pan:
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil or shortening.

Add and cook together over moderate heat:
1 pd. minced beef, 1/2 c. sliced onions.

When meat is lightly browned, add:
1 - 15oz. can black beans
1 - 10oz. can tomato soup (undiluted)
2 tsp. chili powder
1/8 tsp. salt (best would be Epicure's Chili Sea Salt)
1/4 tsp. oregano
2/3 c. water

Blend, cover and simmer gently for 20 minutes. Or put in slow cooker on low heat until dinner time!

Yield: 4 - 6 servings