A Trunk Full of Recipes

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Thursday, January 5, 2012

Steamed Chocolate Pudding

This is the second "pudding" recipe I have made where I would absolutely not call it a pudding. Maybe it's a Maine thing where the word you're saying actually means something else. As I was mixing the batter for the steamed chocolate pudding I was thinking to myself, "wow, this is a lot like a cake batter."

The method of cooking is where the recipe must get it's title. It's poured into a pan, or several pans, then set into warm water and placed in the oven. So it literally steams. However, when it was done baking it was in fact like a cake consistency. It also got rave reviews. We still have a couple left so come on in and give it a try and let me know what you think. What is your opinion on this so called pudding?!

Blue Elephant Cafe

12 Pepperell Square

Saco, Maine 04072

207-281-3070

https://twitter.com/#!/BlueElephant3

Fluffy Yellow Turnip and Scalloped Tomatoes

The Blue Elephant is back after a nice Holiday break and I'm kicking off the new year with some delicious dishes from Mrs. Marjorie Standish! Up first Scalloped Tomatoes and Fluffy Yellow Turnip.

The turnip dish was as basic as they get and if you like turnips that you're sure to like this recipe. It was similar to her fluffy potato recipe. The reason she calls it 'fluffy' is that the recipe calls for eggs, and you separate the yolks from the whites and beat the whites to a stiff meringue. Then fold it into the turnips (which have been mixed with all of the other ingredients). The whole mixture is turned into a greased casserole dish and baked in the oven for about an hour. When it comes out it has risen slightly and is light and fluffy, not to mention delicious.

The scalloped tomato dish I found to be a bit more complicated, though in fact it was actually so simple it should have taken me half the time to pull together that it did. It was sliced tomatoes, layered with a homemade breadcrumb and onion stuffing. That's it. But for some reason the way the recipe is written and the way the ingredients are listed it was very confusing.

The dish is flavorful and very good. We've paired the two together to make a meal and it goes something like this: Fluffy Yellow Turnip & Scalloped Tomatoes Served with a Side of Mixed Greens Topped with Fresh Shrimp Accompanied by a Delicious Onion Vinaigrette Dressing/ 7.00.

Come Give this meal a try! You won't be disappointed.

Blue Elephant Cafe

12 Pepperell Square

Saco, Maine 04072

207-281-3070

https://twitter.com/#!/BlueElephant3

Monday, December 19, 2011

Salmon Chowder

"Salmon chowder is a traditional chowder in Maine. It harks back to days when meat was not always on hand and fresh fish not available. This recipe has filled a need in Maine since olden days. It might be a good idea for you to have a can of salmon in your cupboard, just for an emergency." Marjorie Standish

Salmon Chowder... I've never heard of this until reading this book. In fact I've never worked with canned salmon until I started cooking my way through this cookbook. The recipe was simple and came together like all of the other chowder recipes.

I'm told it's delicious and a hearty winter soup. You will definitely want to come in to the Blue Elephant and give this one a try!

Do you have an experience with Salmon Chowder? Or perhaps canned salmon? Is it a part of your childhood? Let me know I'm very curious!

Blue Elephant Cafe

12 Pepperell Square

Saco, Maine 04072

207-281-3070

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Custard Sauce

What an easy custard recipe. I remember when I was in baking class at school and we had to make custard for eclairs and pies and many other baked goods. It was fun but it was a longer, more difficult process than this custard was. This was simply mixing two dry ingredients, adding a couple mixed wet ingredients then stirring over a double boiler until thickened.

My biggest dilemma with this was how to serve it. Marjorie suggested mixed berries. Which sounded great, but I didn't have time to run to the store this morning so that was out of the question. I decided maybe popovers would be good so that is what I made.

We will be serving this delicious custard sauce over fresh homemade popovers. 1.75 each. You don't want to miss this so come in and give it a try!

Blue Elephant Cafe

12 Pepperell Square

Saco, Maine 04072

207-281-3070

Monday, December 12, 2011

Lemon Delicacy

Lemon Delicacy... a light and fluffy dessert; simply described as a cake batter with egg whites folded into it. I followed this recipe to the "T" as per usual. It is delicious in its basic form, and when it is done baking it has the texture similar to that of a custard or meringue. If I were to make this recipe again I would be sure to add more lemon for a stronger flavor.

It has more steps in it than some of the other desserts. Still very simple and only takes about 20 minutes to pull together and then 45 minutes in the oven. Come in to the Blue Elephant Cafe today to give this recipe a try. You might just like it!

Blue Elephant Cafe

12 Pepperell Square

Saco, Maine 04072

207-281-3070

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Favorite Chicken Casserole

"This recipe happens to be my favorite chicken casserole. It has a special sort of flavor and is easily prepared, even a day or so ahead, if you wish." Marjorie Standish

I have conquered two major hurdles in the last couple of weeks. First and foremost, it has officially been one year since starting to cook my way through the Cooking Down East cook book. While I had hopes of wrapping the project up in a year it wasn't necessarily a goal. I'm still chipping away at it, and by my calculations I have less than 100 recipes to go!

The second hurdle is that, as of today, I have completed another section in the cook book. The poultry section is now... finis! Looking back, this was a good section. A lot of delicious recipes came out of it. If I had to choose a favorite I think I would have to go with the Imperial Chicken. Not only is it easy to pull together but it is also versatile. It can be served as a sandwich or stand alone with some sides. It is a recipe that has not let me down! Perhaps the worst recipe so far, though, has also come out of this section! Does anyone remember the Pressed Chicken Salad?! This is definitely one that I will not be revisiting (unless a practical joke is needed!)

Today's dish completes "Poultry," and by a stroke of luck it happened to be Marjorie's favorite chicken casserole. Which is probably where it got its title: Favorite Chicken Casserole. It reminds me a lot of Chicken a la King. The casserole consists of layers of rice, chicken, and gravy all topped with delicious buttered crumbs.

We will be serving Favorite Chicken Casserole today with a side of greens and toast. You won't want to miss this yummy dish, so come on in to the Blue Elephant Cafe and give it a try!

Blue Elephant Cafe

12 Pepperell Square

Saco, Maine 04072

207-281-3070