Red Plum Up-Side-Down Cake

470. Growing up I really loved when my mother would bake and especially when she would make Pineapple Up-side-down Cake.  It was the crunchy sweet edges and the red maraschino cherries that did me in.  Would I have eaten all the edges and cherries first?  Absolutely.  And, I would have left the rest of the cake and pineapples for all that sugary sweetness.

A sweet tooth was a trait of mine from an early age.  Although I have tamed this beast over the years, I still enjoy a sweet delightful treat in moderation.  

A slight twist on this recipe is to replace the pineapple with any other fruit you choose.  I chose to use red plums.

Here is my recipe:

"I'm really a scientist.  I follow recipes exactly-until I decide not to.  And then I'll follow something else exactly.  I may decide I can turn this peach tart into a plum tart, but if I'm following a recipe, I follow it exactly."

~Ina Garten

Leeks

469.  Leeks are a favorite option for me replacing onions in certain recipes.  They are mild, sauté well and are a great gut buddy.  I love to use leeks in soups, omelets, and purees.

It is the cleaning prep process that can slow your cooking down when using leeks.  When I have a large amount of leeks, I can not use them right away so I clean, chop, prep and store them for future use.

Here is my process:

When I chop the leeks the darker green is useful as well if it is easy to cut through.  The darker green tops are tougher and may be stringy so I cut until it becomes tougher.  I rinse the chopped leeks in a large bowl of cold water with several tablespoons of vinegar.

Once the leeks are cleaned well, place them onto a clean dish towel to pat dry.  Then place the cut pieces into ziplock bags and seal removing all the air.  Keep them refrigerated and once you need onions or leeks, simply grab a handful and add to your recipe.  

I sautéd leeks with mushrooms in butter to pair with steak, asparagus and applesauce.

“If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.”
~ J.K. Rowling, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"

Cheese Steak Sandwich

468.  When in Philadelphia it is a must to find a Restaurant serving up Philly Steak Sandwiches.  This sandwich is pretty basic but it is the quality of steak and seasoning that make all the difference.  

My recipe started with sliced rare roast beef chopped, 2 red bell peppers, onion sliced, garlic chopped.  I sautéd the veg first then added the meat, seasoning with salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, dash of turmeric and a dash of garlic salt.

Make sure your rolls are fresh and I find a white American Cheese really melts well and the flavor is so good.

• “Warning: May cause excessive cheesesteak cravings. Happy National Cheesesteak Day!”  ~Annonymous

National Cheesesteak Day, celebrated annually on March 24th, is a day dedicated to indulging in the deliciousness of this iconic American sandwich. This beloved culinary creation, a testament to the art of simple yet satisfying flavors, has captured the hearts (and stomachs) of food lovers across the nation.

4-Pies in One

467.  Recently I caught a video on Instagram of foodnetworkkitchen for the "4 Thanksgiving Pies".  I had to give it a go.  Now, this pie could be any fruit and in the place of baked fruits you could try puddings all in a sheet pan.  I can't take all the credit for the idea but credit for trying and so perfect for Valentine's Day.

The original recipe is here:  

Food Network Kitchen 4 Thanksgiving Pies

This is a great option and it satisfies everyone.

"If you’re like most folks you love pie! That hot, crispy crust. That luscious filling. Pie really is the perfect food! "

~Annonymous

Cheesy Spaghetti Squash

466.  This recipe for Cheesy Spaghetti Squash is a surprising side to any meat dish.  The recipe is simple to follow but will take time at preparing the squash, baking the squash, mixing the squash and then baking the squash to finish.  Make sure to leave plenty of prep time or start early before dinner.  Here is my recipe:

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. "

 ~Helen Keller

Christmas Cookies 2024

465. Each Christmas it is exciting to try new recipes and create variations to old favorite cookie recipes.  and this year was no exception.  The process starts about September or if there is an interesting recipe spotted throughout the year.  Meringues were on the "Try New Recipes" list and they did not disappoint.

Merry Christmas! 

"Funny, how one good cookie could calm the mind and even elevate a troubled soul." 

~ Dean Koontz

Gnocci Soup

464.  Soup season is here and sitting down with a hot bowl of steaming soup, bread on the side with a chill in the air means autumn has arrived.

My daughter makes a version of this soup recipe which I have taken and switched up a bit.  Here is my recipe:

"Troppi cuochi guastano la cucina."

"Too many cooks spoil the broth."

~ Anonymous Italian Saying