Wednesday, February 18, 2009

A Time to Share

I have never shared a recipe before, though they are crowded into my mind the way grass crowds moist ground.  I love cooking, actually, and know for a fact that those who find their way to our table never leave it unsatisfied.

I thought I'd share one of our family favorites, the one always mixed and baked to perfection my brother, James.  This is, actually for the benefit of Hanna, from Honey and Jam, whose wonderful blog has a habit of making me reach for a mixing bowl, drawn by mouth-watering photos and a shared love of good, well made food.
Lemon Squares


3/4 cup butter (softened)
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Mix butter, flour, and powdered sugar, until well blended and crumbly.  If the butter is not soft you will need to cut it in.  Pat into ungreased 9x13x2 baking dish.  Bake 20 min. at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

3 eggs
3 T. flour
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 T. lemon juice ( freshly squeezed is best)

Mix well and pour over crust.  Bake for 20 min. at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  While still hot, dust with powdered sugar.  

Eat quickly as these are apt to disappear rapidly.


And, for Genevieve, I am sharing the recipe for the dessert we've served for Christmas dinner 3 years in a row. I don't expect we'll stop serving anytime soon.
Streusel Squash Dessert


1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup cold butter

STREUSEL TOPPING:
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons cold butter
1 cup chopped pecans

FILLING:
1 medium butternut squash (4 pounds), peeled, seeded and cubed
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
2 cans (12 ounces each) evaporated milk
4 eggs
Whipped cream and additional cinnamon, optional


In a bowl, combine flour and sugars; cut in butter until crumbly. Press into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until edges begin to brown. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour and cinnamon; cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in pecans; set aside. 
Place squash in a large saucepan and cover with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Drain. Transfer to a blender or food processor; cover and process until smooth. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugars, cornstarch and seasonings. Gradually beat in 4 cups squash, milk and eggs until smooth (save any remaining squash for another use). Pour over crust. Sprinkle with topping. 
Bake at 350° for 55-65 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Garnish with whipped cream and additional cinnamon if desired. 

Yield: 15-18 servings.

I hope you all enjoy!  There is something so blessedly wonderful in cooking, and sewing, and, sometimes, even cleaning.  

Emma




11 comments:

Laura said...

Oooo!!! Yummy!! :D

Anonymous said...

Oohh!! Those sound so good! I will have to try them sometime! Thanks for sharing them with us! :)

SisterlyLove said...

Yay yay! Thank you so much for posting the recipe! :) :) :) I'm so happy. I'm definitely going to try that soon. Mm, and the lemon bars sound so good too! Great pictures. Love the splashed recipe card. Lovely....

Genevieve

Chelsea said...

Mmmm. =) I have a friend coming over tomorrow, I might just have to try those lemon squares. Thanks for sharing! ~Chelsea~

emme said...

Ah...Emma I can't tell you how much I love your posts. If I could only have a little Emma & Johanna viewpoint every day I would be supremely happy! :)

These recipes sound scrumptious! Thanks so much for sharing, dear!

*sigh* Reading this makes me continue to wonder...why does Texas have to be so far away??

Much love,
Emily

Anonymous said...

Hi girls!
I found your blog the other day, it is an inspiration and a pleasure to read! I really enjoy seeing the photos of you lovely young ladies in feminine dress.
The Lemon Squares recipe looks quit scrumptious...I would try it if I were not a college student without a kitchen!

hannah queen | honey & jam said...

Thanks so much for sharing these recipes, I can't wait to try the lemon bars!

Elissa said...

MMMM, those look like scrumptious recipes! I'll definately have to give them a try! Thanks so much for sharing, new recipes are always so much fun!!

Sorry I have not commented lately, I've been having difficulty keeping up with commenting on the many many blogs I read, but I have been enjoying every post, I have never come to this blog and read a boring post!

I finally downloaded your movie from Behemoth.com the other day (I had been begging my mom for a LOOOOOONG time to buy it, so I was so excited to see it on Behemoth!)
I absolutely fell in love with it!!! It was SO beautifully made, the acting was superb, and the scenery and soundtrack were lovely! I enjoyed it very very much!!!

~Elissa

Elissa said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sara said...

Mmmm - I love lemon squares!

And does the streusel squash dessert count as a vegetable? (Yes, yes!)

EB said...

So glad you posted the butternut squash recipe. I have a butternut squash waiting on my counter for some inspiration to come along...and now I've found it!