From the Grandmothers

We've been eating (and making) a few things that came from Gran and Baba this week. Here are the favourites, well worth repeating.

Zucchini Tart

Saute a sliced onion in two tablespoons of butter. Add 2 lbs sliced
zucchini (or l lb zucchini and 1 lb asparagus) and cook slowly in a covered
pot for 20 minutes. Add salt and pepper and paprika. Scald ¾ cup milk, cool
slightly and add 3 eggs. (or if pie shell is big enough, use 1 cup milk and
4 eggs.) Add to zucchini.

Pierce pie shell, pour in filling, sprinkle on sliced black olives and
freshly shaved parmesan cheese, and bake 375 for 25 minutes.

Can also make with onion, 4 or 5 minced garlic cloves, and about 4 cups
washed, drained, and chopped spinach that has been cooked until it is
wilted.

Makes a fantastic lunch for four.

Orzo

Melt 3 tbsp butter in pot and add 1 ½ cups orzo and brown (about 2 minutes).
Add 3 cups broth and boil. Simmer until orzo is tender, about 20 minutes.
Add ½ cup grated parmesan and 1 ½ tsp. dried basil. Season with salt and
pepper.

This is an old favourite of ours that Gran has been making. It is from the Best of the Best of Bridge; it makes a great baby food too!

Spanokopita

Chop 3 c spinach and mix with ½ lb feta cheese, ½ lb cottage cheese,
2 tbsp parsley, 2 tbsp minced onion, ¼ tsp salt, ½ tsp white pepper, and 2
beaten eggs.

Butter pan and place 8-10 phyllo pastry sheets in pan, brushing each with
melted butter. Spread spinach mixture over them and cover with 8-10 more
phyllo sheets. Score top and bake for 1 hour, or until golden brown, at 350.

Although she hasn't made it for us here yet, this is something of Gran's that we've enjoyed as a meal and a snack, at home and on the boat. Yum.

Caesar Salad

1 clove garlic, 6 tsp olive oil, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp mustart, 3 tbsp tarragon vinegar, black pepper & Worcestershire sauce. 2 heads romaine, juice of 1 lemon, parmesan cheese to taste.

A longtime favourite.

Stephanie's Apple Torte

A new discovery: simple and delicious.

Bake at 400 for 1 hour. For crust: 1 c flour, salt, 2 tbsp sugar, 1/2 c butter, 1 tbsp vinegar. Mix and press into greased springform pan. For filling: 4 apples, 1 c sugar, 4 tbsp flour, 1/2 tsp cinnamon.

Finally, a little something sweet from Baba. This cake is GOOD!

Mixed Berry Coffee Cake
Preheat oven to 375.

Topping: Place 1/4 c butter, 1/2 c sugar, 1/3 c flour and 1/2 tsp cinnamon in a bowl and work until well blended. Set aside.

Beat 1/4 c vegetable oil (I used margarine), 3/4 c sugar, and 1 large egg until well-combined. Beat in 3/4 c buttermilk. Add mixture of 2 c flour, 1 tbsp baking powder and 3/4 tsp salt to wet mixture, and mix until just combined. Gently fold in berries (2/3 c thinly sliced strawberries, 2/3 c raspberries, 2/3 c blueberries; we used all frozen blueberries). Spoon batter into lightly greased 8-inch baking dish. Sprinkle on topping. Bake 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

This was a real hit at this morning's brunch, and would make for a tasty dessert too.