Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Chocolate Pound Cake

Chocolate Pound Cake

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 5 tablespoons cocoa
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 5 eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract


Special equipment: 10-inch bundt pan

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cocoa and set aside. Using an electric mixer, cream together butter, shortening, and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, and mix well after each addition.

Add flour and buttermilk alternately to butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Add vanilla and mix well. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 1 hour and 45 minutes or until cake is done.

Remove from oven and allow cake to cool in pan for 10 minutes. Invert onto cake plate and serve.


ENJOY!!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Helpful Tip #1: Use Orange Glo on Stainless Steel

I do not remember where I heard this tip but it works like a charm every time. I try not to be brand specific on things so that I can buy what is on sale at the time that I need it but this is one thing I will always have around the house.

Use Orange Glo on stainless steel to remove finger prints.

Not only does it remove finger prints and everything else but you don't have to do it very often. We have stainless steel canisters right next to the sink and the stove so they are always getting things splashed and dripped on them. I wipe mine down with glass cleaner or something like that and then give it a quick rub with Orange Glo and a little bit goes a long way.


Right after I tried it for the first time I was visiting with someone who has everything stainless steel in their kitchen and I was telling them about it they handed me some cheap version of orange glo so I sprayed it on wiped it off and it didn't work. It is worth a few extra bucks to have Orange Glo around the house. I saw they are now making an Orange Glo Stainless Steel Polish but I have not tried it. I'll stick with my regular Orange Glo because I can use it on both my stainless steel and also on my wood.

Give it a try I know you will love it too!

Monday, February 1, 2010

Buttermilk Pancakes

Everyone needs a basic pancake recipe in their file. Most everyone loves pancakes and you can always dress them up many different ways by adding fresh fruit, flavored syrup, powdered sugar or any other idea that may come to mind. One great thing about pancakes is that they are great for breakfast, brunch or even a pancake supper.

Scott and I were watching "Throwdown" last night on the food network and this one was when Bobby Flay was challenging a couple on their pancakes. So, I thought I would add our favorite pancake recipe.

Buttermilk Pancakes

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 beaten egg
1 cup buttermilk or sour milk
2 tablespoons cooking oil

Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. make a well in center of flour mixture; set aside. combine the egg, buttermilk, and oil. Add egg mixture all at once to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened (batter should be lumpy). Add additional buttermilk to thin batter, if necessary.

Fro standard-size pancakes, pour or spread about ¼ cup batter into a 3-inch circle onto a hot, lightly greased griddle or heavy skillet. For dollar-sized pancakes, pour or spread about 1 tablespoon batter into a 1-inch circle onto a hot, lightly greased griddle or heavy skillet. Cook over medium heat about minutes on each side or until pancakes are golden brown, turning to second sides when pancakes have bubbly surfaces, edges are slightly dry.

Serve warm.

Makes 8 servings.


ENJOY!!