Raspberry Almond Bundt Cake

My daughter told me the raspberries were soft. Upon my review, the raspberries weren't soft but I knew she wasn't going to eat anymore. Since my raspberries were going "soft", I figured I better bake something with it. A cake was the perfect solution. My daughter liked my solution. The cake received nice reviews from my two guys. Anything with raspberries and almonds are great to me.

Raspberry Almond Bundt Cake
3 cups all purpose flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
3 large eggs
1/2 tsp almond extract
2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 cups raspberries
1/2 cup almonds, toasted
powder sugar, for topping

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Spray a Bundt pan with nonstick baking spray and coat with flour. Sprinkle half the almonds into the pan. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, Cream the sugar and butter until fluffy.
5. Add one egg at a time and mix to incorporate.
6. Add the almond extract and vanilla extract. Mix to incorporate.
7. Add a little flour mixture and then mix in some buttermilk. Mix until just incorporated.
8. Gently fold in the raspberries. 
9. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. 
10. Sprinkle the remaining toasted almonds on top.
11. Bake the cake for 1 hour or until an inserter inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. 
12. Allow the cake to cook for 10 minutes before removing the cake from the pan. 
13. Sift powdered sugar over top before serving. 

Recipe adapted from Epicurious.

One year ago........................I made Mabel Sandwich.
Two years ago......................I made Peach Scones.
Three years ago....................I made Shortbread Cookies.

Did you already know...................
-Raspberries are native to Europe.
-In North America, black and golden raspberries are found in addition to the red raspberries.
-Raspberries belong to the rose family.

Jordan's Blueberry Muffins

School is back in session! The kids were as excited as expected to head back to school. For the first day of school, I decided to back some muffins. The last couple of years I have made scones for their first day of school so it was a nice change. When asked, my daughter requested blueberry muffins. I recently saw this recipe so I figured I would try them. For the number of blueberry muffins I have made, I think it is apparent my daughter loves blueberry muffins. My children told me how much they liked these muffins. I thought I've made better ones in the past. Also, I have never tried the Jordan muffins before so I cannot tell you if they taste like the original ones. This is a quick and easy recipe to try.

Famous Department Store Blueberry Muffins
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup milk
2 cup Maine blueberry 
1/4 cup fine sugar, for topping

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time. Scrap the sides when necessary.
5. Add the baking powder, salt, and vanilla. Combine until incorporated.
6. Add a little flour and then a little of the milk. Beat until just incorporated. 
7. Mash 1/2 cup of the blueberries. Gently fold in the blueberries and the mashed blueberries.
8. Scoop 1/4 cup of the batter into the prepared muffin tin. 
9. Sprinkle a little of the fine sugar on top of the batter. 
10. Bake the muffins for 30 minutes or until the muffins are light golden brown. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out clean.
11. Allow the muffins to cool slightly and then transfer to a wire rack to cool. 

Recipe adapted from King Arthur Flour.

One year ago...................................I made Blackberry Scones.
Two years ago.................................I made Green Beans with saute onions.
Three years ago...............................I made Berry Oatmeal Cheesecake Muffins.

Did you already know........................
-In 1851, Eben Jordan formed a partnership with Benjamin Marsh.
-The Jordan Marsh department stores began in the Boston area.
-The Jordan Marsh stores have been closed and became Macy stores.

Nascar

When we first moved to the Charlotte area, we were told this is Nascar country. Well, the Nascar Hall of Fame is located in Charlotte. So, we decided we should check it out. We thought it would be something fun to do with the kids. Are we Nascar fans? No. Do we ever watch it? No. Did we like the museum? Yes. The kids especially liked the simulator. After watching our daughter crash several times and take out several other cars during her simulator ride, we believe it is best for her to wait awhile for her license. Our son placed third in the simulator ride. So, he will have to wait for his license too since he likes speed and is good at it.

The outside of the Nascar Hall of Fame shaped like a track.

The museum has a chronological display of cars from the past to the present.

Do you know who's car this is? If you guessed Richard Petty, then you are a Nascar fan.

This is my favorite photo for the day. My daughter took it. Besides the cars, the museum has displays about many of the drivers, trophies, and other items. There is a simulator and a short film.

Did you already know....................
-The beginnings of Nascar began with the bootleggers building fast cars to outrun the police.
-Nascar was formed because  William "Bill" France Sr. noticed how the rules varied depending on the event so he formed a committee. 
-In 1949, the Charlotte Speedway held the first Nascar Strictly Stock race.

Chicken a la king

I really like easy meals. This is an easy meal. I have been making different versions of Chicken a la king for years. At my house, it is a dish that we all will eat. Now, you can make homemade biscuits or just bake up some biscuits from a can. I have used biscuits either way. My family prefers the homemade biscuits. This dish really is versatile. If you don't like mushrooms, leave them out. If you love mushrooms, add more. If you are vegetarian, leave out the chicken and use vegetable broth. If you are gluten free, well then use gluten free flour. My family likes this dish since it is chicken in a gravy sauce over biscuits.

Chicken a la king
2 tsp olive oil 
1 lb. chicken breast, diced
2 Tbsp butter
1 portabella mushroom, chopped
1 cup onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped fine
1 carrot, diced
2 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 Tbsp all purpose flour
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup white wine
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup half and half

4 freshly baked biscuits

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. 
2. Add the chicken and saute for 2 minutes. 
3. Add the butter to the pan and allow to melt.
4. Add the mushroom, celery, and carrot. Saute for 3 minutes. 
5. Sprinkle the dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Saute for a minute.
6. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and mix.
7. Add the chicken broth, wine, and bay leaf. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes. 
8. Mix in the half and half. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
9. Continue to allow the mixture to thicken until the chicken is cooked through. 
10. Serve the chicken with the thicken sauce over the biscuits.

Recipe by Jen of Sweet Morris.

One year ago................................I made Eggplant Parmesan.
Two years ago..............................I made Ravoli in White Sauce.
Three years ago............................I made American Beauty PB Cake.

Did you already know.......................
-The origin of Chicken a la king is unknown.
-From several different claims, Chicken a la king was created as early as in the 1880s.
-Chicken a la king was very popular in the 1950s.

Biscuits

It has been a crazy summer. We have traveled all the way down to Mississippi and all the way up to Maine. As you can imagine, I haven't been cooking as much as usual. Since we have been in the South, my daughter requests biscuits. She doesn't care if we have them with breakfast or dinner. I've tried different biscuit recipes. This recipe is one of the biscuits we really liked. Do I think they taste like Hardees? We didn't think so but they are good and easy.

Hardees Biscuits copy cat
5 & 1/2 cups self rising flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder 
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup vegetable shortening, melted and cooled
2 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup water
Butter, for brushing the tops 


Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. 
3. In a large bowl, combine the 5 cups flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder.
4. Cut in the vegetable oil with a pastry cutter or with your fingers. 
5. Slowly add the buttermilk and the water. 
6. Mix until the dough comes together. 
7. Lightly flour a clean surface. 
8. Roll out the dough and dust top with flour.
9. Knead a couple of times while dusting with flour.
10. Roll the dough to 1 inch thickness. 
11. With an inch cutter or a glass, dust the edge with a little flour.
12. Press the cutter straight down into the dough and gently lift out.
13. Place the biscuits onto the prepared baking sheet.
14. Allow the biscuits to rest for 5 minutes.
15. Bake the biscuits for 12 minutes or until golden brown. 
16. Brush the top of the biscuits with butter and serve warm.

Recipe adapted from Food.com

Two years ago...................................I made Ladybug cupcakes.
Three years ago.................................I made Peanut Butter and Yogurt dip.

Did you already know....................
-In 1960, Wilber Hardee opened his first Hardees. 
-The first store was opened in Greenville, North Carolina.
-Within 5 months, Mr. Hardee had his first franchisee.