Apple Bread

This is the recipe that I used for Marin's 1st birthday cake with cream cheese icing.
It is very versatile you can make it as a loaf, or mini loaves or muffins or mini muffins, or double the recipe for a bunt cake.

1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup of sugar
3 tsp vanilla
1 large egg
2 cups flour
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp milk
2 large apples, peeled and graded

Options:
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped finely or coarsely depending on how you prefer them

Cream oil, sugar and vanilla together. Add egg and beat well. Mix together flour, cinnamon, salt and baking powder in a separate bowl.
Add milk, raisins, and apples (nuts and raisins) and dry ingredients to the creamed sugar, oil and vanilla. Stir only until flour is well dampened.

Bake in a well greased 9x5x4 loaf pan or whatever best suits what you have chosen (I make 2 small loaves 5x2 1/2x 2 1/2). Bake for 50-60 minutes (30-40 for mini loaves), or until a tooth pick comes out clean, everyones oven is different. Cool and remove from pan.

Welsh Cakes

This is a family tradition recipe, we got it from Ian's Granny Phillips.
Ian makes them and I help, he mixes and rolls them out and I cook them.
He takes them to poker nights and comes home with none left, that is why I always keep a few at home.
I ate two while I was posting this recipe. :)

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup margarine
2 eggs
1 cups currents

Mix together the flour, baking powder and sugar. Cut in the margarine making sure that it is mixed evenly. Add eggs one at a time, start by mixing with the wooden spoon and then move to using your hands, once you have an even mixture add the currents. Divide the dough into two even parts. On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough about 1/4 inch think. Cut into rounds (we use a upside down cup that is 3 inches across). Cook on un-greased frying pan (we use a griddle) until golden brown. If using a regular frying pan cook at medium heat, (we cook at 350 F on the griddle) adjusting as necessary.

Mock Short Ribs

Got this recipe from my Mom

2 lbs stew meat
5 1/2 oz tomato paste
1 cup water
1 medium sized onion
2 tbsp vinegar
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp beef bouillon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp pepper

Quarter the onion, and arrange meat and onion in a small roaster. Mix together all other ingredients in a bowl and then pour over meat and onions. Cover with lid and place in 325 F oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

The meat is so tender and tasty and the extra sauce is great over mashed potatoes. :)

Banana Walnut Bread

Modified from "From Better Homes & Gardens: The Complete Guide To Bread Machine Baking"
(I change it just a bit)

1/2 cup milk
2/3 cup mashed banana
1 egg
2 tbsp olive oil (calls for 2 tbsp of margarine)
4 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon (calls for 1/4 tsp)
1 1/4 tsp yeast

(1 cup chopped walnuts)
I don't add these because Marin likes this bread and the nuts are not suitable for a 1 year old.

Makes a 2 lbs loaf. I usually only put it through on the dough cycle and then bake it in the oven in 3 mini loaf pans (2 1/2 by 5 inch). It has the texture of bagels but not quite as dense though. It is very yummy with cream cheese on it.