Throwdown

We ran up to Des Moines over the weekend, to catch up with Cortney, so I thought I would make her some pound cake, as it is one of her favorites. I dusted off my Baking cookbook, turning to page 222. This recipe calls for a lot of beating of the butter, then even more as you add the eggs and the batter turns out very light and fluffy and I was pretty hopeful. Now you have to bake it on a baking sheet to insulate the bottom of the cake from burning. The cake was dry and not to flavorful and not too exciting. Perfection Pound Cake - I don't think so. Where is my go to recipe?

Now my Aunt Edie may not have published a cookbook but she DID know her way around the kitchen. So print this recipe out and tape it over the one on page 222 - because when you want pound cake THIS is the recipe you want. Now bring on Bobby Flay!

POUND CAKE


3 c sugar
1 c butter
6 eggs
3 c flour
1 c buttermilk with 1/2 t of baking soda stirred in
1 t vanilla

Cream the butter and sugar together. Beat in eggs one at a time. Alternately beat in flour and buttermilk. Add vanilla. Bake in loaf pan (greased and floured - I used three) at 325 degrees for One hour and 10 minutes. No need to insulate, these babies won't burn.

The big dogs - hanging out on Campus.



The princess and her pup.

I'm here, I promise. I, however, have not cooked one meal since June. In fact, it was such a momentous occasion when I did cook, that I had to take a picture. Here is the picture as proof that I still know how.

I'm hoping in a few more weeks I'll feel like cooking again, and maybe even eating healthy for a change!

Since I don't have any food thoughts to share, here are a few photos of my little one for you to enjoy.

Photos

Holly, I have to say those photos of your basil and pesto make anything I've seen in a foodie mag look amateur. Beautiful, is all I can say. And I, too, planted a basil plant up here hoping to be able to pick some on a whim for a caprese salad but alas, some little cottontail happened by and now I have three little stalks. Makes me so mad. I know Sistafriend has had a great basil plant in the past and makes pesto regularly but she has been less than stellar as a blogger so she probably won't post a picture of hers on here. I think I'll have to speak to her about her commitment to Haute Women.

Didn't win the tourney--like any of you thought I would...ha! So glad to not have to roll out the door at 7:15 to hit the golf course tomorrow...sleeping in a bit sounds very attractive if only Sydney will comply. Love, love, love you girls!

Presto It's Pesto!

Ok so I planted ONE basil plant earlier this summer and I wondered if that would be enough. But the internets assured me that every time you cut off a stalk of basil that two more grow back. Soooo, YES one basil plant is enough.

Before.......



During ....., no that is not a banana, it is gahlic.....

After - I have not used the pesto yet, but man does it smell good. So get yourself a basil plant, it is going to stay warm for a while. This is great on grilled chicken or fish.

PESTO

2 cups of packed basil leaves
3 cloves of garlic
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted and cooled
1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
a couple of grinds of fresh pepper
1/2 cup olive oil

Wash and dry the basil leaves. Throw all the leaves and everything else (except the olive oil) into the food processor fitted with the sharp blade. Pulse a few times to get everything going. Then turn on the processor and let it run while drizzling the oil in. Stop when all the oil is incorporated. Place in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator - it will last about three months.

Not enough cookin' goin on!

Hi Sisters'

Okay, I have not had enough people around for cookin' lately ~ dagnabit!! I did try out a cowboy-coffee rub ribeye last night. It was okay. But the roasted tomato, mozzerella, basil stack with a special little vinegarette was quit tasty. I made a peach cobbler out of Cook's Ill. mag. It was good as well. They say the secret is baking the topping before - they could be on to something!! I also tried the salmon fish cakes out of there - they were deelightful!! I need a couple of attendees for a yummy looking fish taco recipe I have. Ooh, I also tried the "ultimate oatmeal cookie" out of Cook's Ill. Did not diasppoint! It was with chopped up choc. and cranberries - lovely - need I say more.

Loved the picture of Thomas - need so many more - since he is possible the most gorgeous little boy in all the planet!!

Stay cool ~ and keep it between the lines!!

Haute Hayley

I wish my stomach only stuck out that far!

I know I sent you all this photo already but it's just so darn cute! We went to the cutest new yogurt store on Lover's Lane called I Heart Yogurt while in big D the other night. We'll be making routine trips for sure. I don't really have anything to blog except that I agree with Holly that we are a lazy bunch of bloggers. It must be the heat...although that excuse really doesn't work for me now. I am going to try a new dish tonight called Baked Penne with Corn, Zucchini and Basil and I'll let you know how it is. Holly, you just keep on prodding us along. I am getting ready to play in our Member/Guest golf tourney so wish me luck. More than likely, I'll make Tom Watson's playoff effort look good...poor guy. Will let you know how it goes. Hayley, we'll all be keeping you in out thoughts this week.
Love all of you! MK

Chillaxin'

Honestly, we are the sorriest group of bloggers I have ever seen. So, I have decided that since this was my gig and I just dragged the rest of you into it, that I will continue to post throughout the summer and give the rest of you the summer off. Since it was my idea to cook through the cookbook I am going to continue on and I will report back any major finds. But the other idea of this blog was for us to stay in touch.... Well check minus in that area because we could use some improving. I hear that some of us have gone to London (1), Italy (2) Washington DC (2) and Colorado (2) BUT have you really???? Because I do not see any pictures. If you need help posting photos call me and I will walk you through it. Or if you just want or NEED the summer off No Problem I will continue on with posts on a more frequent basis. Feel free to join me and we will try to regroup after Labor Day. STAY COOL!!!!