Sweet Potato Cake

 Grandma's Famous Sweet Potato Butter Cake

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp nutmeg

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

1 ¾ cups granulated sugar

4 large eggs, room temperature

1 ½ cups cooked and mashed sweet potato purée (roast or boil sweet potatoes, then peel and mash smoothly)

½ cup buttermilk

1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Caramelized Glaze & Topping:

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

¼ cup heavy cream

A pinch of salt

Instructions:

Prepare the Pan and Dry Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9-inch round cake pan. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl (using a hand mixer or stand mixer), cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.

Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the mashed sweet potato purée and vanilla extract and mix until fully combined and smooth.

Combine the Batter: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the sweet potato mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined; be careful not to overmix.

Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Prepare the Glaze: While the cake is baking, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, brown sugar, heavy cream, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a low boil, stirring constantly, and cook for 2-3 minutes until the glaze is smooth, thickened, and a rich caramel color.

Cool and Glaze: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. While the cake is still warm, carefully invert it onto a wire rack over a baking sheet (to catch any drips). Use a skewer or fork to gently poke holes all over the top surface. Slowly pour the hot caramel glaze evenly over the warm cake, allowing it to soak in and pool slightly to create that beautiful, high-gloss finish. Let the cake cool completely before slicing and serving.

Homemade Ice Cream

 Homemade Ice Cream 

2 cans Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed milk 

8 oz Cool Whip 

1 tsp vanilla 

1/4 tsp salt 

6 cups 2% milk 

Mix all ingredients together. Mix well and pour in a gallon ice cream freezer. Freeze.   This makes a nice creamy vanilla ice cream.  ☺️

Subway Italian Herb and Cheese Sub Rolls

 Copycat Subway Italian Herb and cheese subs! 

Dough:

3 cups warm water (approx. 110°F)

4 tbsp dry active yeast (or 2 packets)

1/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup oil (vegetable or canola)

1 tbsp salt

2 eggs

1/3 cup instant mashed potato flakes (optional but recommended)

7 1/2 cups bread flour (all-purpose works for a softer bread) 

Topping Mixture:

1 tbsp oregano

2 tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp dried parsley

2 tbsp parmesan cheese

1 cup Colby Jack cheese (finely shredded) 

Mix together:

In the bowl of a stand mixer whisk together the yeast and water. Whisk in the sugar, oil, salt, eggs, and the mashed potato flakes if using.

Add the flour and knead for 6 minutes over low speed. Rest the dough for 10 minutes. 

Transfer dough onto a floured surface and cut into 4 equal pieces. Cut each piece in half again to make a total of 8 pieces. Gently pat and roll into a 12-inch log.

Wet the tops with water.

Dredge into the Italian Herb Blend. 

score the tops (3-4 slashes.) 

Allow dough to rise until tripled in size (up to 1 hour if rising in a warm place.)

Sprinkle the tops with shredded Colby and Monterey Jack Cheese.

Bake for 15-18 minutes at 375°F.

Classic Lemondrop

 Classic Lemon Drop Martini

Get ready to sip on a burst of sunshine with this Classic Lemon Drop Martini! 🍋🍸 Perfect for any occasion, it’s crisp, refreshing, and oh-so-zesty.

Ingredients:

- 2 oz vodka

- 1 oz fresh lemon juice

- 1/2 oz triple sec

- 1/2 oz simple syrup

- Ice cubes

- Sugar for rimming the glass

- Lemon twist for garnish

Directions:

1. Start by rimming your martini glass: dip the rim in lemon juice, then into sugar for that perfect sweet edge. Set it aside and admire your work!

2. In a cocktail shaker, combine the vodka, fresh lemon juice, triple sec, simple syrup, and a handful of ice. Shake it up like you mean it until everything is nicely chilled.

3. Carefully strain the mixture into your prepared martini glass—get that sugar rim looking fabulous!

4. Finish off with a cheerful lemon twist on top for a pop of color and flair. 

5. Pro Tip: For an extra chill, pop the glass in the freezer for a few minutes before serving.

Cheers to flavorful moments and lively gatherings! 🍹✨ Enjoy your cocktail!

Mayo Based Sauces

 ⭐ Classic Mayo

Ingredients:

* 1 cup mayonnaise

* 1 tbsp lemon juice

* 1/2 tsp salt

Procedure:

1. Add mayonnaise to a bowl.

2. Mix in lemon juice and salt.

3. Stir until smooth.

4. Taste and adjust seasoning.

5. Serve or refrigerate.

⭐ Garlic Aioli

Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup mayonnaise

* 2 cloves garlic (minced)

* 1 tbsp lemon juice

* 1 tbsp olive oil

* Salt

Procedure:

1. Combine mayonnaise and garlic.

2. Add lemon juice and olive oil.

3. Mix well until creamy.

4. Add salt to taste.

5. Chill before serving.

⭐ Honey Mustard

Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup mayonnaise

* 2 tbsp honey

* 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

* 1 tsp yellow mustard

* Salt

Procedure:

1. Add all ingredients to a bowl.

2. Mix until smooth.

3. Taste and adjust flavor.

4. Chill for better taste.

5. Serve as dip or dressing.

⭐ Chipotle Mayo

Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup mayonnaise

* 1 tbsp chipotle peppers (in adobo)

* 1 tsp lime juice

* Salt

Procedure:

1. Blend chipotle peppers into paste.

2. Mix with mayonnaise.

3. Add lime juice and salt.

4. Stir well.

5. Serve as spicy dip.

⭐ Ranch Mayo

Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup mayonnaise

* 2 tbsp sour cream

* 1 tbsp buttermilk

* 1 tsp garlic powder

* 1 tsp onion powder

* Salt

Procedure:

1. Combine mayonnaise and sour cream.

2. Add buttermilk and spices.

3. Mix until smooth.

4. Adjust salt.

5. Chill before serving.

⭐ Sriracha Mayo

Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup mayonnaise

* 2 tbsp sriracha

* 1 tsp lime juice

* Salt

Procedure:

1. Mix mayonnaise and sriracha.

2. Add lime juice.

3. Stir until creamy.

4. Taste and adjust salt.

5. Serve immediately.

⭐ Tartar Sauce

Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup mayonnaise

* 2 tbsp chopped pickles

* 1 tbsp capers

* 1 tbsp lemon juice

* Salt

Procedure:

1. Mix mayonnaise with pickles and capers.

2. Add lemon juice.

3. Stir well.

4. Season with salt.

5. Chill and serve.

⭐ Wasabi Mayo

Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup mayonnaise

* 1 tbsp wasabi paste

* 1 tsp soy sauce

* Salt

Procedure:

1. Mix mayonnaise and wasabi paste.

2. Add soy sauce.

3. Stir until smooth.

4. Adjust salt if needed.

5. Serve chilled.

⭐ Herb Mayo

Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup mayonnaise

* 1 tbsp fresh parsley

* 1 tbsp fresh dill

* 1 tsp lemon juice

* Salt

Procedure:

1. Finely chop herbs.

2. Mix with mayonnaise.

3. Add lemon juice.

4. Stir well.

5. Chill before serving.

Almond Old Fashion

 https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/3816/almond-old-fashioned-bourbon-based

Serve in an Old-fashioned glass

Ingredients: 

2 fl oz	Bourbon whiskey
1⁄3 fl oz	Adriatico Amaretto Liqueur
1⁄6 fl oz	Demerara/Muscovado/brown sugar syrup (2 sugar to 1 water)
1 dash	Angostura Aromatic Bitters

1 serving

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

Prepare:

1. Select and pre-chill an OLD-FASHIONED GLASS.
2. Prepare garnish of toasted almonds.

How to make:

3. STIR all ingredients with ice.
4. STRAIN into ice-filled glass.

Orange Hibiscus Mai Tai

 Orange Hibiscus Mai Tai  

🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 0 minutes | Serves: 2  

I remember enjoying this refreshing drink on sunny afternoons with friends, laughing and reminiscing about our adventures. There’s just something magical about sipping a vibrant cocktail that transports you straight to a tropical paradise!  

𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝:  

- 1 ounce light rum  

- 1 ounce dark rum  

- 1 ounce orange liqueur  

- 1 ounce fresh lime juice  

- 1 ounce hibiscus tea (prepared and chilled)  

- 1 ounce orange juice  

- Ice  

- Fresh orange slices and hibiscus flowers for garnish  

🥣 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭:  

1. In a shaker, combine the light rum, dark rum, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, orange juice, and hibiscus tea.  

2. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds until well chilled.  

3. Strain the mixture into two glasses filled with ice.  

4. Garnish with fresh orange slices and a few hibiscus flowers for a beautiful touch.  

5. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your delicious Orange Hibiscus Mai Tai!  

✨ 𝐓𝐢𝐩: For an extra tropical twist, try adding a splash of pineapple juice!  

There’s something special about the comfort this drink brings.