"Delicious Banana Cake" with Lemon Butter Frosting

I know I declared this week to be cranberry week... however, I passed by this recipe for "Delicious Banana Cake" and, since we had some bananas, I couldn't resist making it!

A delicious, mildy sweet cake with a tangy lemon butter frosting. Come in to the Blue Elephant Cafe to give it a try today. You won't be disappointed!

Cream together the shortening, sugar, eggs, vanilla and salt until light and fluffy.

The three basic ingredients to this cake. Flour and leavening agents, 

milk and bananas, and creamed sugar! 

Mix all of the ingredients together and bake in the oven.

Fresh out of the oven, "Delicious Banana Cake."

Cream together butter, confectionery sugar, and a bit of banana and lemon juice.

Cover the cake with lemon butter icing and enjoy! 

Blue Elephant Cafe

12 Pepperell Square

Saco, Maine 04072

207-281-3070

www.blueelephantcatering.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Saco-ME/Blue-Elephant-Events-Catering/19796658177

Cranberry Orange Bread

Not too long ago I was really into making Marjorie's breads: banana bread, diced apple bread, carrot bread etc. etc. etc. I eventually strayed from the bread section, but this week, as I have declared it cranberry week, I made my way back to the page with the recipe containing Cranberry Orange Bread.

Usually it's not terribly busy in the mornings, and I can jump right into my recipe for the day at 8:00. This morning, though, I had trouble getting to my recipe, and it wasn't until almost 9:00 a.m. that I finally started mixing the ingredients together. True to Marjorie's recipe style, it only took minutes to mix everything together, and now I have some delicious cranberry orange bread sitting on the counter, fresh out of the oven - cooling!

My note on this recipe would be that the orange flavor is not very noticeable. As I was mixing up the batter, I wondered if the orange flavor would be very strong, or even noticeable at all, because there is only one orange in the entire recipe. When I tasted a piece, I definitely tasted the cranberries, but I had a harder time finding the taste of orange. So I might add another orange to the recipe.

Also it would be delicious if you added just a hint of Grand Marnier. MMMMM!

All in all, it is a yummy bread. It would be a delicious addition to a Thanksgiving table or just a gift to a friend in the fall. We have it here today at the Blue Elephant Cafe. Enjoy a small slice for .25c or purchase a loaf for 2.00.

Blue Elephant Cafe

12 Pepperell Square 

Saco, Maine 04072

207-281-3070

www.blueelephantcatering.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Elephant-Events-Catering/19796658177

Raw Cranberry and Orange Relish

When I think of Cranberry Relish I usually think of Thanksgiving or Christmas. However, I'm not sure why we only make it around those holidays; it is a delicious side dish and so easy to make. Marjorie's version of the recipe contains three ingredients and took a sum total of six minutes to pull together.

My mom makes this recipe every Thanksgiving, as it is one of my families favorite side dishes at Thanksgiving dinner. Her recipe is a little different from Marge's though. My mom uses cranberries, oranges, sugar and apple. Marge simply uses cranberries, oranges and sugar. I wonder how many variations there are out there.

Having tried both, I think the addition of the apples gives the dish a little more flavor and substance, although I still enjoy it without the apples. I also might cut back on the sugar a bit, but that's just my personal preference! 

The Cranberry Relish will be served with 1/2 Cucumber Sandwiches and a cup of Soup (your choice) ~5.00. Come in to the Blue Elephant today and try this delicious side dish and its accompaniments! 

Blue Elephant Cafe 

12 Pepperell Square 

Saco, Maine 04072

207-281-3070

www.blueelephantcatering.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Elephant-Events-Catering/19796658177

Butterscotch Brownies

I just love baking. There is something about it that is so calming and familiar. The end result is always such a treat, no pun intended of course! I pulled into Pepperell Square this morning at about 10 minutes of 8:00, and by 8:30 I had the butterscotch brownies in the oven. Now they are sitting on the counter ready to be consumed by today's customers.

Marjorie's chocolate brownie recipe was nothing to write home about, however the butterscotch brownies....They are quite delicious! I don't believe that I've ever made butterscotch brownies, and I didn't realize that it was simply brown sugar that gave them their butterscotch flavor. I wonder who first came up with this little trick?

If you are ever looking for an easy dessert, turn to page 177 of Cooking Down East by Marjorie Standish and try the Butterscotch Brownies. They won't take more than half an hour to make, and they are sure to be a crowd pleaser!

Come in to the Blue Elephant Cafe today. Try one of our delicious Maine Lobster Rolls, and finish off your meal with a Butterscotch Brownie.

Blue Elephant Cafe

12 Pepperell Square 

Saco, Maine 04072

207-281-3070

www.blueelephantcatering.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Saco-ME/Blue-Elephant-Events-Catering/19796658177

Boiled Molasses Cookies

Yesterday, when I overslept, I had intentions of making Molasses Cookies, but when I got to work I discovered that there wasn't enough butter to fulfill the task. I didn't oversleep this morning though! So, I made a quick grocery store run and picked up the butter I needed and made Boiled Molasses Cookies today.

The process starts by boiling molasses on low heat.

Add sugar, spices (such as cinnamon and ginger), butter and eggs

to the boiled molasses. Then slowly stir in flour. 

Roll out the cookies and place on a greased cookie sheet. 

Press the dough down with a fork, creating a nice pattern on top. 

Bake in the oven for about 10 minutes until they are golden brown and delicious. 

The only part I found difficult about this recipe was pressing down the dough balls with the fork. After I added the flour, my dough was sticky but workable. I didn't want to add more flour because I didn't want it to dry out, however it was difficult to press the fork into the dough without it getting stuck. What I ended up doing was spraying the fork with the cooking spray, and that helped a lot. 

They are a delicious soft molasses cookie. One of the better cookie recipes I've made. Stop by and try one today! 

Blue Elephant Cafe 

12 Pepperell Square 

Saco, Maine 04072

207-281-3070

www.blueelephantcatering.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Saco-ME/Blue-Elephant-Events-Catering/19796658177

Lemon Meringue Pie and Never Fail Meringue

What a morning... I usually set my alarm for 6:00 a.m. to be at work at 8:00 a.m. This morning I suddenly came to and thought I was hearing my alarm, but when I looked over at my clock it was 7:30! I  forgot to set my alarm last night, and I had to be at work in half an hour!

I also hadn't decided on a recipe for today and didn't have time to run to the store. The whole time I was getting ready to go, and while I was driving to work, I was running through the cookbook in my head and thinking about what we have in the kitchen, trying to think what I could make. The thought crossed my mind that maybe it wasn't meant to be today.

When I got to the Cafe I was thinking molasses cookies (for some reason we have a lot of molasses), but we didn't have enough butter. So I flipped through the dessert section and landed on Lemon Meringue Pie. Sure enough we had all the ingredients, and my dilemma was solved! I was able to whip it together, and as I write this it's chilling in the fridge just waiting to be eaten during lunch today!

Had it been any other cookbook, I would have stressed out more. However, it is just Marjorie's way to write recipes that use ingredients you would have on hand, so if you aren't able to go to the grocery store, you can still have a delicious dessert. And, even better, it only took me an hour to put the recipe together.

I have made lemon meringue pies in the past, and this recipe seems pretty similar as far as ingredients go but with less steps. Basically combine the egg yolks, lemon juice, and boiling water with the dry ingredients: sugar, cornstarch flour and salt. Stir this combination over low heat until it becomes thick then allow to cool. Make the meringue, spread on top, and bake for a few minutes in a hot oven. It can be done quickly, and it looks delicious!

So here it is, a delicious Lemon Meringue Pie with Never Fail Meringue!

Blue Elephant Cafe 

12 Pepperell Square 

Saco, Maine 04072

207-281-3070

www.blueelephantcatering.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Saco-ME/Blue-Elephant-Events-Catering/19796658177

Squash Muffins

I'm not sure what possessed me to make these muffins at the beginning of the summer. Everything about them screams, "Make me in the fall." Butternut squash, flour, milk, egg, cream of tarter shortening.... But there was something different about them, and they seemed easy enough, so I decided to try them.

They are quite good. They are not your typical muffin; they are very bland and don't have much flavor to them other than a hint of squash. I would recommend serving them with tea and perhaps a bit of jelly or cream cheese.

There is no story to go along with this recipe, which makes me wonder where it came from and what Marjorie used to do with it. I can see her making a batch for tea with friends or filling a basket to bring to a neighbor. While they are delicious muffins, because there is no story behind the recipe, it leads me to believe that this was not one of her favorite recipes.

The general consensus of our customers who tried these muffins was that they enjoyed them very much. We have plenty left so some on in and try them today!