Grandma's Cookies 1

This will be an ongoing blog.  In an attempt to log and classify the many cookie and other recipes that I inherited from my Grandmother I will post them here for all to share.  Here cookies where the joy of many a grandchild.

Hopefully they will all get translated correctly.  She has many notes on the yellowed index cards, each one covered in flour, egg and dry cookie dough from years of use.

NUT CAKE

This recipe appears to be either dedicated to M. Allen.

1/2 lb Butter
2 c. sugar
6 eggs large
4 c. flour
1 Tbl baking powder
2 Tbl nutmeg
1 Tbl cinnamon
3/4 c. black molasses
1/2 c grape juice
3 lb nuts
2 lb raisins

Mix together dry ingredients and wet separately,  toss raisins and nuts with some flour to coat.  Mix all together in cake pan.  Cook in slow oven (250F) for 2.5-3 hours in water bath.

BROWNIES

This recipe  is dedicated to Elva

4oz chocolate

3/4 c butter

2 c sugar

4 large eggs

1 t vanilla

1.5 c flour

1 t baking powder

1 t salt?

Melt chocolate & butter, add sugar & eggs mixing well.  Add vanilla.

Combine dry ingredients and add nuts and wet ingredients.

bake in greased 9x13" pan @ 350F for 27-30 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting toothpick 1" from edge until pick comes out clear.  DO NOT OVERCOOK!

CHOCOLATE ALMOND VELVET

2/3 c chocolate syrup

2/3 c canned milk

1/2 t vanilla

chill above mixed in refrig.

1 pint whipped heavy cream

1/3 c almonds sliced lightly toasted

fold into chocolate mixture - chill again until set

serves 8

MEXICAN WEDDING COOKIES

1 c soft butter

1/2c 4x powdered sugar

1t vanilla

1 Tbl almond extract

2 c flour

1/4 t salt

1 c chopped pecans

Mix all ingredient well.  Form into small balls and roll in powdered sugar

Bake at 400F until light brown

RUTH'S DRESSING

2Tbl Poupon

6 Tbl Red Wine Vinegar

4 Tbl Olive oil

This recipe was written on the inside cover on one of three recipe books.

CHEWY COOKIES

This recipes  is from the kithcen of "mother" so it may be from Great Grandma Thompson.

Yield 100 cookies?

3/4 c butter

2 c sugar

2 large eggs

2 c flour

1 t soda

2 cup rolled oats

1 c raisins

Boil and drain raisins, put oatmeal and raisins thru grinder, add other ingredients.

Make into small balls and place on cookie sheet  bake at 300F.

Tonics, Elixirs and Potions

This week I have been experimenting with tonics.  I have one listed on my "Vegan Dinner Series" and I need a good recipe. While up in Maine I ventured to DuckFat and had a house made tonic. It was fabulous. So I have been experimenting with various herbal blends, with and without vinegars, sparkling water etc. I imagine myself as an old time snake oil salesman, developing my magic elixir of healing.

The Vagabondchef Restorative Tonic

 Yields 1 quart of Tonic

1 Tb   Green Cardamom
1 Tb   Panchipuri Spice Mix
8 ea    Whole Clove
2 Tb   Chopped Ginger Fresh
2 Tb   Cacao Nips
1/2 t   Black Cumin
1 ea    Whole Lemon cut in half
1/2 t   Fennel Seed
1/4 c   Mint leaves
1/8 t   Cayenne
4 t      Stevia leaf
1 t     Balsamico Vinegar - The thicker the better - don't skimp here. (or anywhere)
Place all ingredients into French press of other vessel pour boiling water over top and steep

Serve hot or chill and serve iced.  To preserve the rich flavor make ice cubes from the tonic ahead of time.
A splash of sparkling water will add a nice fizz to the beverage.

Enjoy.