Fresh Strawberry Pie

When I first pulled out this recipe, it did nothing but confuse me. I had to read it several times before it started to sink in that this pie was not to be baked in the oven. I have obviously not had much experience with this type of pie! However it is so easy and takes about half the amount of time as a pie that needs to be baked in the oven. 

Simply place freshly washed strawberries in a baked pie shell. Boil together frozen strawberries, sugar, water, and corn starch. Once this mixture has thickened, pour it on top of the fresh strawberries in the pie shell. Set it in the fridge to cool, and you're done! Easy as pie. And delicious too. 

Come in and enjoy this delicious concoction while we still have some left. 

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

Maine Blueberry Pie

It's officially blueberry season, and I'm ready to cook my way through the blueberry recipes! I had my mom reserve a box of fresh blueberries for me, and I just picked them up this past weekend. They look delicious, and I'm excited to get baking with them. Thanks Mom for reserving those for me!

I was taking a look through the recipes last night, and I didn't see that Marjorie has that many blueberry recipes. This surprises me seeing as blueberries are such a staple ingredient for many Mainers.

I decided there is no better way to start than with Maine Blueberry Pie. After all, it is our state's dessert! All it took was pie crust, blueberries, sugar, flour and a few seasonings. I whipped it up in no time and popped it in the oven.  Within a half an hour I had a delicious Blueberry Pie ready to serve for lunch!

We have a few slices left, so come on in and try it today and let us know what you think! What is the best blueberry pie you have ever had?

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

Chocolate Sheet Cake

Are you looking for a delicious dessert? And one that's super easy to make? You have got to try Marjorie Standish's Chocolate Sheet Cake and Frosting! I was looking for something to make this morning and landed upon this one. I am so glad I did. The preparation and assembly were not difficult, and it is one of the moistest, most delicious cakes I have ever made!

The only difficulty I had with the recipe was that it called for buttermilk, and I couldn't tell whether or not Marjorie wanted me to use powdered or liquid buttermilk. I decided it would be best to follow the directions on the back of the powdered buttermilk carton - which involved turning it into a liquid. It must have been what Marjorie meant to do, because the cake turned out simply delicious!

I think that the buttermilk, butter and oil are what help to make the cake so moist. The chocolate frosting on top is just thin layer. To make this simply delicious confection take a peek in your copy of Cooking Down East by Marjorie Standish! Or if you want to try it first, then come in to the Blue Elephant today! 

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

Delmonico Potatoes

I would consider this recipe for Delmonico Potatoes to be a version of Scalloped Potatoes. It basically has the same method of preparation only with different ingredients.

As with the scalloped potatoes, you slice the potatoes really thin, but then boil them until they are tender. They are then layered in a casserole dish with cheddar cheese, white sauce, pimento salt and pepper. The difference between the two is that the scalloped potatoes have onions and milk instead of white sauce, milk and cheese.

It was an easy dish to make. In fact both dishes are relatively easy. The time consuming part is that they take awhile to prep. Once you have all of your ingredients, you are ready to go... the assembly and baking time is a breeze. The feedback on this dish has been great! Everyone just loves it. If you are looking for an alternative to your same old scalloped potatoes, give the Delmonico a try!

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

Scalloped Potatoes

 Scalloped potatoes always remind me of Thanksgiving. They are a staple at our family table. I feel like they are labeled as a difficult dish, but this particular version of the recipe was so easy and just smells so delicious!

It simply involves paring the potatoes then slicing the potatoes and onions very thin. The potatoes are then layered with onions, flour, salt and pepper in a casserole dish.

The casserole gets baked in the oven until golden brown and until the potatoes are soft.

Enjoy a dish of the scalloped potatoes by themselves or with a nice side salad. 

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

Franconia Potatoes

With an abundance of potatoes left over from our busy weekend, I figured what better time than now to finish off Marjorie's potato recipes? I started with the Franconia Potatoes, and it was the easiest of potato recipes.

Franconia Potatoes essentially means that the potatoes are roasted in the drippings of a roast or in some fat. So basically the preparation involves paring the potatoes and boiling them for 10 minutes before adding them to a roast in the oven. If your timing works out, you'll turn the potatoes a couple of times, they'll brown up, and in no time at all the roast will be done!

Once the meat and potatoes are done, display them on a platter and make a gravy from the drippings in the pan. Franconia Potatoes will be served today at the Blue Elephant Cafe with sliced roast beef, a bit of gravy and a side of fresh greens. A delicious mid-day meal!

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

Soft Molasses Cookies

Who stole the cookies from the cookie jar? Nobody has yet! They are in the jar waiting to be eaten. Come on in and give them a try.


Soft Molasses Cookies are a two day process yet still very easy! Making these cookies only involves mixing the batter together, then letting it set in the refrigerator overnight.

On the second day when I took the bowl out of the refrigerator, I was a little shocked at how stiff the dough was. I had even let it sit on the counter for a bit before working with it. Once I finally was able to get it out of the bowl and work with it on the counter, it gave way and I was able to mold it into a log.

Then slice it up into pieces... 

Lay the slices out on the cookie sheets.. and put them in the oven 

Once they were golden brown and puffy, out they came and cooled on the counter. 

A jar full of molasses cookies. Mmmmmm mmmmm good! 

This past week the Blue Elephant was super busy catering and, as a result, I fell behind in my Marjorie Standish recipes. I'll be making up for it in the coming weeks, so stay tuned and watch for new posts and updates!