Author Archives: Julia Ann

Coconut Layer Cake with Fluffy Coconut Icing

 

Coconut Layer Cake with Fluffy Coconut Icing under goes some changes.

Coconut Cake made with Coconut Oil

Coconut Cake made with Coconut Oil

Sometimes I do not want to create, adapt or be inspired for recipes.  This was one of those times when I reviewed some of my own desserts.  So Coconut Layer Cake with Fluffy Coconut Icing was the treat of the week.  I am now  using more Coconut Oil  and less butter and  shortening.  Olive oil is still my ‘go-to’ oil for much of my cooking and baking.

Coconut Oil 360

I did adapt my own recipe, I did not have coconut extract, so I added 1/2 cup of shredded coconut.  The other change I made was in the jam  between layers.  In the original recipe that follows below, I used apricot preserves.  Since I did not have the preserves, I used strawberry jam between the layers.    The jam shows up in the serving of cake.

Strawberry Jam Between layers of Coconut Cake

Strawberry Jam between layers of Coconut Cake

The “Original” Coconut Layer Cake with Fluffy Coconut Icing

Coconut Layer Cake with Fluffy Coconut Icing

Coconut Layer Cake with Fluffy Coconut Icing

This is a yummy cake for the coconut lovers out there.   Instead of vanilla extract, I have used coconut extract to get more of the coconut taste.  Another idea, which I have not tried, would be to use coconut milk instead of regular milk.  The recipe makes a small cake, best to  bake in the older 8″x 1″ cake pans.

My aunt loved to cook and bake saving recipes from booklets put out by companies.  Two booklets I have are of about the same vintage, 1922: The New Royal Cook Book by Royal Baking Powder Co. and “The Rumford Way of Cookery and Household Economy”.

Serve a luncheon of Ham Salad Spread and Vegetable Fusilli Salad and a sweet dessert of Coconut Layer Cake with Fluffy Coconut Icing.

 

A serving of Coconut Cake _580

Coconut Layer Cake with Fluffy Coconut Icing

Julia Ann
A light and moist yellow coconut layer cake with a hint of apricot preserves under the fluffy white boiled icing and toasted coconut.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 42 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon sea Salt
  • 3 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 jar apricot preserves
  • COCONUT FILLING and ICING
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 egg whites at room temperature
  • 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 cup sweet shredded coconut
  • 1/4 cup toasted coconut

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven 350 F.
  • Grease and line 2 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper; grease the parchment paper.
  • Measure the flour, salt and baking powder together in a small bowl; whisk to blend.
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.
  • Add the coconut extract and beaten eggs; beat just to blend.
  • Add the dry ingredients alternating with the milk.
  • Mix well after each addition and until smooth.
  • Pour the batter into prepared cake pans.
  • Bake 12 to 15 minutes.
  • Insert toothpick in the middle of the cake, when done, the toothpick will come out clean.
  • (This is a small batter.)
  • Cool on a rack for 5 minutes before turning out of the pans.
  • _______________________________________________________________
  • COCONUT FILLING AND ICING
  • Put sugar and water in heavy saucepan; cook until it is 238 F or soft ball stage.
  • Meanwhile beat the egg whites and cream of tartar in a large bowl until stiff.
  • When the sugar syrup has reached the correct temperature, dip the bottom of the pan in cold water for 1 second to stop the cooking.
  • Beat the stiff egg whites at high speed while pouring in a stream of sugar syrup.
  • Add the vanilla.
  • Continue beating until icing has cooked, about 5 minutes.
  • Spread the apricot preserves between the 2 layers before adding icing.
  • Put icing between layers, sides and top.
  • While icing is soft sprinkle with grated coconut and toasted coconut.

Notes

This was adapted from The New Royal Cook Book, Royal Baking Powder Co., New York, U.S.A., 1922, p 15...................... Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® brings you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery®
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Coconut Layer Cake with Fluffy Coconut Icing

Coconut Layer Cake with Fluffy Coconut Icing

Netta Belle's Choice cookbookinaboxJulia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® Spices, bring you great recipes, outstanding herbs and spices for your cooking experience.©2007-2015 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.” Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “ Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox®. All rights reserved.

 

Ham Salad Spread

Spring time and ready for a picnic lunch!

These are times of minus temperatures,  –1 to  -21 degrees, piles of snow, school closings, road accidents, frozen water lines,  etc.  Enough of that!  How about looking for some spring flowers and plan the first picnic?  I will bring Ham Salad Spread for sandwiches and cracker appetizers.  Let’s see;  we need carrot and celery sticks, broccoli florets, a vegetable dip. I think a fruit bowl would be good:  fresh strawberries, blueberries, grapes, pineapple, diced orange and sprinkling of fennel seeds on top.   Just because it is the first picnic of year, I would add a big bag of potato chips.  Are you with me?

Ham Salad spread on Sandwiches and Crackers

Ham Salad Spread on Sandwiches and Crackers

I will even bring the spring flowers.  The purple crocus are such a delightful surprise in the spring, and sometimes have to come up in the snow.  They are hardy little buggers to enjoy.

Spring Crocus

Spring Crocus

Then soon daffodils  will be showing off.

Daffodils awaking from winter

Daffodils awaking from winter.

Keep looking at the trees as you travel along the highways and back roads of the Midwest to see the pink of the red bud tree and white of the dogwoods.

Back Yard Red Bud Tree

Back Yard Red Bud Tree                                                                                                           

Enough dreaming about spring.

Ready for a Ham Salad Spread sandwich and crackers.

Ham Salad Sandwich and on crackers for appetizer

Ham Salad Sandwich and  crackers for appetizer

Ham Salad Spread

Julia Ann
A sweet and spicy Ham Salad Spread to be used on crackers topped with veggies or a sandwich spread for luncheon, buffet or an anytime picnic.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Appetizer or Sandwich Spread
Cuisine American
Servings 3 cups

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups ham in 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 cup Colby Cheese in 1-inch cubes
  • 3 tablespoons chopped onion
  • 3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 8 drops hot pepper sauce

Instructions
 

  • To reduce the salt in the ham cubes, drain and rinse with running water.
  • Put the ham cubes, cheese cubes, onion, relish and lemon juice into food processor.
  • Pulse about 3-4 times until ham is finely chopped.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and process until well blended.
  • Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • More mayonnaise, mustard or hot sauce may be added to your taste.
  • Put ham salad into serving bowl and refrigerate until ready for use.
  • Serve on assorted crackers or breads.

Notes

Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice®
brings you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.” Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “
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All rights reserved.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

Ham Salad Spread Sandwich and appetizer.

Ham Salad Spread Sandwich and Appetizer

And for dessert American Apple Pie

Apple Pie

 

Netta Belle's Choice cookbookinabox

Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® brings you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.” Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “ Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® All rights reserved.

Olive Oil Coconut Sugar Cookies

 

Olive Oil Coconut Sugar Cookies

Olive Oil Coconut Sugar Cookies

Butter or Olive Oil?

When cooking and baking I use olive oil and butter interchangeably or together in many recipes.  I had not thought about the difference until I wanted to make some cookies and had only extra virgin olive oil.  A little research, The Olive Press recommended using olive oil in all baking goodies.  Using a recipe from The Fannie Farmer Cookbook, I adapted an old-fashioned sugar cookie to an Olive Oil Coconut Sugar Cookie.  I have not made it with butter, so do not have a good reference to compare.  It was a firm cookie, not soft or crisp.  The other objective, I wanted to show the conversion chart for butter to olive oil.

Conversion Chart:  Butter to Olive Oil

1 teaspoon butter = 3/4  teaspoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter = 2 1/4  teaspoons olive oil
1/4 cup butter = 3  tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup butter = 1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup butter = 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons olive oil
2/3 cup butter = 1/2 cup olive oil
3/4 cup butter = 1/2 cup + 1  tablespoon olive oil
1 cup butter = 3/4 cup olive oil

 There are many benefits in using Olive Oil.

Olive oil is a monounsaturated fat which comes from  a plant,  the Olea europaea. the olive tree  grown primarily in the Mediterranean countries such as Italy, Greece, and Spain.  Monounsaturated fatty acids are said to be a healthy dietary fat, along with peanuts, cashews and avocados.  These fats help to reduce  the LDL cholesterol or the “bad cholesterol”.

When thinking of olive oil, cooking usually comes to mind first.  Cosmetics, medicine, soaps and even fuel for lamps all may be made from olive oil.  However, when discussing benefits it is related to our health.  There have been multiple studies made to assess benefits of olive oil.

Examples of healthy benefits

1. Protection of the cardiovascular system.
2. Prevention of stoke.
3.  Lowering the risk of depression.
4.  Reduction of breast cancer risk.
5.  Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
6.  Extra virgin olive oil may protect against Alzheimer’s disease.
7.  Prevent acute pancreatitis by using extra virgin olive oil.
8.  Protect the liver with the use of extra virgin olive oil.

 

Olive Oil Coconut Sugar Cookies

Coconut cookies batter

Coconut cookie batter made with extra virgin olive oil.

This recipe made about 36 cookies.

Oven ready Olive Oil Coconut Sugar Cookies

Oven ready Olive Oil Coconut Sugar Cookies

I like to roll the  teaspoons  of dough into a ball, then flatten with a bottom of a glass dipped into sugar.  It gives a prettier and sweeten top to the cookie.

Out of the oven, Olive Oil Coconut Sugar Cookies

Out of the oven, Olive Oil Coconut Sugar Cookies.

Olive Oil Coconut Sugar Cookies

Julia Ann
A new take on an old fashioned sugar cookies, using olive oil instead of butter. Adapted from The Fannie Farmer Cookbook.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 3 doz

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/4 cups flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped coconut
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon coconut flavoring
  • 1 tablespoon evaporated milk undiluted

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven 350 F.
  • Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  • Measure and mix together: flour, salt, baking powder and coconut; set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream the olive oil and sugar, beat until light and blended.
  • Add the egg, vanilla and coconut flavoring, beat thoroughly.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the oil and sugar mixture, adding 1/2 cup at a time.
  • Blend well.
  • Roll teaspoons of batter into a ball and place on cookie sheet 1 inches apart.
  • Flatten with bottom of glass dipped in granulated sugar.
  • Bake 8-10 minutes until lightly browned.

Notes

Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice®
brings you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-20208 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.” Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “
Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox®
All rights reserved.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

Olive Oil Coconut Sugar Cookies

 

Netta Belle's Choice cookbookinabox

Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® brings you great recipes for your cooking experience.  ©2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.” Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “ Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® All rights reserved.

 

Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

Delectable Chicken Noodle Soup

Delectable Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken, broth, noodles and vegetables creates a delectable Chicken Noodle Soup

This summer I prepared for the  family reunion a crock pot of simmered chicken breast with minimum seasoning.  This was to meet dietary needs of those who could not tolerate garlic, barbecue sauce, diabetic, or need for fat free foods.  I bought six large skinless, boneless chicken breasts, trimmed off any fat, and cooked them in the crock pot with one 14.5 ounce  can Swanson 99% Fat Free Chicken Broth and water to partially cover the chicken.   I cooked it in the crock pot to take and serve at the reunion.   What was left over, I drained and froze to use later in casseroles and  Chicken Noodle Soup.

Home-made Precooked Chicken Breasts and Broth.

Those precooked chicken breasts did not last long.  It was just too easy to go to the freezer and thaw one or two breasts for a quick evening meal.  The next time I prepared the chicken breasts, I seasoned them with a spice blend  Into the slow cooker I  added 1/2 cup sliced onions, 1/4 cup finely diced celery, arranged the seasoned chicken breasts on top of the vegetables and added the one 14.5 ounces can of chicken broth and water to almost cover.

Chicken Breasts seasoned with Netta Belle's Choice Flavour-Enhancer Spice Blend

Chicken Breasts seasoned with Netta Belle’s Choice Flavour-Enhancer Spice Blend

The chicken was cooked on high for about 3 hours until  meat tested 165 F.  The tender flavorful chicken breasts were frozen and the broth was put into three pint jars to store in the refrigerator.  This makes such a rich and low fat broth to use in  sauces, for risottos,  rice, vegetables or soups

Cooked chicken breasts to freeze; canned broth

Cooked chicken breasts ready to freeze; canned broth.

Chicken vegetable soup is good, but isn’t chicken noodle soup suppose to be the answer to what ails you?  So this is was the inspiration for Slow-Cook  Chicken Noodle Soup recipe.

Although I do a lot of cooking, there have been some recipes I just don’t attempt.  Noodles has been one of them.  I guess the first endeavor they turned out tough and like shoe leather or leather shoe strings.  So some years later, I thought I would try them again.  This time it was success.  Using my mother’s recipe from her cookbook recipe box, I made noodles.

Home made egg noodles.

Home made egg noodles.

Egg Noodles

1 egg
1 tablespoon vegetable oil or olive oil
1 tablespoon milk or teaspoon more if needed.
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup sifted flour

Beat the egg in a medium size bowl. Mix in the oil and milk.  Add the dry ingredients and blend with a fork. Work the dough into a ball. Lightly flour bread board and roll out thin. Cut into 2 inch strips, layer and cut into narrow strips. Allow to dry.

Note: My preference is a wider noodle, 1/2 inch. Drying time is about 1-2 hours before using them. What is not used, I bag and freeze. This makes a small batch of noodles.

Delectable Chicken Noodle Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

Julia Ann
Enjoy a rich soup of chicken, vegetables and noodles to soothe you through the cold chill of winter.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large potato cut into 1/2 inch pieces

Instructions
 

  • Place the vegetables on the bottom of the crock pot.
  • Add the diced chicken
  • Add the broth.
  • Cook about 1 hour on low or until boiling.
  • Add the noodles, stir.
  • Continue cooking on low for about 3 hours or until the noodles are done.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Recipe for precooked chicken breasts and egg noodles are in the Blog content.
Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® bring
you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.” Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® All rights reserved.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

Add to your meal:

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Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® bring you great recipes for your cooking experiencee.  ©2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk.Off.”Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office.” nettabelleschoice.com and cookbookinabox.com. All rights reserved.

Turkey Salisbury Steak and Mushrooms

Turkey Salisbury Steaks with Mushrooms

Turkey Salisbury Steaks with Mushrooms

Let’s Talk Turkey!

 Turkey Salisbury Steak and Mushrooms

Browned Turkey Patties

Browned Turkey Patties

Making the gravy

Making the gravy

Thickened Brown Gravy

Thickened Brown Gravy

Turkey Salisbury Steaks with Mushrooms

Turkey Salisbury Steaks with Mushrooms

 I adapted this recipe from The Fannie Farmer Cookbook.

Turkey Salisbury Steak and Mushrooms

Julia Ann
Ground turkey patties smothered in mushroom gravy to make a distinctively different Salisbury Steak satisfying dinner.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Meats
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb. ground turkey
  • 1/2 cup fine ground whole wheat saltines
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • seasalt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • spice or herb blend to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon rubbed thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon whole dried thyme
  • 1/4 cup flour for coating the patties
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 4 oz. can mushroom slices drained
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup milk

Instructions
 

  • Mix all the ingredients together from the turkey to the thyme.
  • Make 4 thick patties with the turkey mixture.
  • Dredge in flour, set in refrigerator for 20 minutes.
  • Melt the oil and butter.
  • Brown the patties on both sides with moderate heat.
  • Remove to plate and keep warm while making the gravy.
  • Add the remaining flour to the fat in the skillet, brown.
  • Add the chicken broth and milk.
  • With wire whisk stir to a smooth and thickened gravy.
  • Add more broth or milk as needed for right consistency.
  • Fold in the mushrooms.
  • Add the turkey patties and cover with gravy.
  • Heat through.
  • Serve with mashed potatoes, brown rice or noodles.

Notes

Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® brings
you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2020 Netta Belle’s Choice®
The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.”
Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “Netta Belle’s Choice®
The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® All rights reserved.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

 

Netta Belle's Choice cookbookinabox logo

Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice®  brings you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2020 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.”  Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox®  All rights reserved.