toasted angel food cake with warmed berry topping--camping dessert

TOASTED ANGEL FOOD CAKE WITH WARMED BERRY TOPPING

This is another super easy dessert that tastes amazing when you're gathered around a cozy campfire.

You just hold slabs of angel food cake on sticks over a fire - so easy that kids can do their own, just like s'mores.

Then, you slice some berries and add them to an aluminum foil packet with some brown sugar and toss the packet on the fire. Again, really. Be Brave! It won't burn. Just leave it for a minute on each side and then remove. The berries turn out warm and sweet and delicious.

For more recipe ideas, visit aprongstrings.com

Zucchini bread

Mom's Zucchini Bread
My mom's zucchini bread is chock full of zucchini, coconut, pecans, and pineapple. It's like an old-fashioned zucchini bread married a pineapple upside-down cake.Don't be surprised if you find your family fighting over the last slice.  

Makes 2 (9 X 5) loaves (see below directions for 1 loaf conversion--I need it now that my other stoneware loaf pan broke!)

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon cinnamon
3 large eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup canola oil
3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup chopped nuts, preferably walnuts or pecans
2 cups shredded zucchini, with the skins
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
3/4 cup shredded sweetened coconut

1. Place oven rack in center of oven, and preheat to 350 degrees F. Coat 2 (9 X 5) loaf pans with cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl combine flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon.
3. In a medium bowl beat eggs and sugar with an electric mixer. Add oil and vanilla, and beat until combined. Add the wet ingredients to the dry, and stir by hand. Fold in nuts, zucchini, pineapple, and coconut.
4. Divide batter evenly between two pans. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and place on a wire rack.

Recipe from Food Blogga's Mom. http://foodblogga.blogspot.com

Half recipe for 1 loaf pan

1.5 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 tablespoon cinnamon

1.5 large eggs 1 whole with 1 white)

1 cups sugar

1/2 cup canola oil

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup chopped nuts, preferably walnuts or pecans

1 cups shredded zucchini, with the skins

1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained

3/8 cup shredded sweetened coconut

Seasoning for Hamburger Patties (Half this recipe for 1 pound)

Rated: Submitted By: staceywatts Photo By: soupy Prep Time: 5 Minutes Ready In: 5 Minutes Servings: 8

"This seasoning mixture for hamburgers uses some common spices to make a tasty improvement to a plain hamburger."

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon paprika 1 1/4 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Combine the paprika, salt, pepper, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper in an airtight container; seal. Shake to combine. Store in a cool, dry place between uses.

lemonade brownies

Lemonade Brownies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup lemonade powder mix
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup real butter, softened
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• Zest from one fresh lemon
• 3-4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• Mint leaves, lemon curls and fresh blueberries, optional garnish

Method:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 pan with non-stick spray (optional – line sprayed pan with parchment paper); set aside. Finely grate the outer peel from one lemon, set zest aside.

Beat together lemonade powder, sugar and butter; add eggs and vanilla whisk until smooth; stir in flour, baking powder and lemon zest. Spread in prepared pan. Bake 18-20 minutes or until center is cooked. Cool 15-20 minutes.

Squeeze the juice from one lemon (tip: microwave lemon 10-15 seconds then firmly roll on counter to release as much juice as possible from lemon). Add 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice to powder sugar and stir until smooth; add additional lemon juice to create desired consistency. Spread glaze on partially cooled Lemonade Brownies; cool completely and allow glaze to set up (NOTE: Lemonade Brownies may be eaten warm, but they will cut easier when cold). Cut into approximately 36 squares garnish with lemon curls, fresh mint leaves and a fresh blueberry.

Notes: Lemonade Brownies are as refreshing as the name implies! They are a breath of fresh Spring. This delightful substitute for traditional chocolate brownie will wow your guests. Makes 36 squares 

Restaurant style Filet Mignon

Ingredients:

• filet mignon - 2, 8 ounce filets
• kosher salt - 4 teaspoons
• freshly cracked pepper - 4 teaspoons
• butter - 1 stick
• olive oil - 1 tablespoon
• garlic - 2 cloves, chopped
• parsley - 1 tablespoon, chopped
• thyme - 1 tablespoon, chopped
• lemon zest - 1 teaspoon

Instructions:

DISCLAIMER: The reason this dish is so amazing is due mostly in part to having the very best, most fresh ingredients possible.  That means high grade salt, it means pepper ground right in front of you by a pepper mill.  It means fresh herbs and it means REAL BUTTER.  The good news is that these are all things you should already have in your house. Take 1/2 stick of butter, softened, and mix well with the peeled, chopped garlic, the chopped herbs, and the lemon zest.  Form into a log and refrigerate.  Generously season the filet's with salt and pepper, approximately 1 teaspoon of seasoning per side. Heat the remainder of the butter (1/2 stick) and the olive oil in a cast iron skillet to a screaming hot temperature.  Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.   Sear the filets in a screaming hot pan for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until a nice brown crust has formed. While the steak is searing, continue to spoon the residual butter in the pan on top of the meat while it's cooking.  Once both sides are seared, place in the center of the oven for about 6-8 minutes, depending upon how thick your steak is.  In the last minute of cooking, take the log of compound butter and slice a nice thick piece to place on top. Your steak will be ready when it is approximately 135 degrees in the center, or when you push lightly on the top center of the steak and it gently and slowly bounces back.  (Note, this is medium rare kids. Some people don't like to eat cows while they are mooing, so clearly you can cook longer if your afraid of the pink.)

Cinnamon Sugar Bites or Pull Apart or Sweet Monkey Bread

1/3 c melted butter- in one bowl

mix together the following in another bowl:

1/3 c granulated sugar

1/3 c packed brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 package refrigerated biscuits

Heat oven to 350.  Spray 9"pie plate or 8-9" square pan with non-stick spray.

Prepare biscuits by slicing into pieces--if using the regular size, cut each biscuit into 4.  If using Grands size biscuits, cut each biscuit into six.

Dip each biscuit piece first in melted butter, then in cinnamon sugar mixture to coat.  Then place in greased pan.  

Continue until all pieces are coated, pressing in tightly to form a single layer.  Sprinkle remaining cinnamon sugar mix on top.

Bake in preheated oven for 30 min.  Remove and flip onto plate or serving dish and Enjoy

cole slaw

1/2 c mayo
1/3 c sugar
1/4 c milk
1/4 c buttermilk
2 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
1 1/2 tbsp white vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/8tsp pepper
8 cups chopped cabbage (size of rice)
1/4 c shredded carrot (1 medium--about the size of rice)
2 tbsp minced onion

combine dressing ingredients, mix well.  Add cabbage and carrots.  refrigerate at least 2 hours.

serves 10-12