Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cake

This is a very heavy, rich chocolate cake from Aunt Anne O'Brien which she brought to an O'Brien reunion many years ago. It is great for large gatherings because it is so heavy and rich. A small piece will curb the chocolate craving.

Cream:
1 Stick Butter
1/2 C Oil
1 3/4 C Sugar

Add:
2 Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla
1/2 C Sour Milk (1 TBSP vinegar + enough milk to make 1/2 cup)

Mix in:
2 1/2 C Flour
1/2 tsp Cloves
1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
4 TBSP Cocoa
2 C Zucchini, shredded
Walnuts, chopped (optional)

Pour into 9x13 pan sprayed with PAM.

Sprinkle Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips on top.

Bake @325F for 40 minutes.

Bran Muffins

Our favorite breakfast out on the water, these muffins are as hearty as you want to make them. I love that they make a lot and freeze so well. This recipe is from our good friend, Joan Davidson, who has provided many favorite recipes for our hunting and fishing trips. Thanks, Joan!

5 cups flour
3 cups sugar
5 tsp. baking soda
1 box Bran Flakes or Raisin Bran


1 cup oil
4 eggs, beaten
1 qt. buttermilk

Mix dry ingredients.
Add liquids. Mix well.
* I stir in a box of raisins and about 1cup of walnuts. 
Spoon into paper lined muffin tins.
Bake 375F for 18-20 minutes.

Baked Omelet

This is a great alternative to the Egg Casserole made with bread and easier than making individual omelets for everyone - from my friend, Lorene Ashford.

Grease 9x13" pan (serves 8-12)

Mix together:
1 1/2 dozen eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 cup milk
1 tsp. salt
1/4 cup chopped onion (optional) *
1/4 cup butter, melted and added last

Pour into pan and bake at 325F until firm and light brown (approximately 40 minutes).
* add cheese, ham, green peppers, mushrooms etc.
* Recipe works well halved and baked in 8x8" pan.  (serves 4-6)

Blueberry Sauce

• We grew up picking wild huckleberries starting in mid-July around our cottages both at Higgins Lake and Bear Lake in northern Michigan. The objective was usually to harvest enough for a fresh huckleberry (or wild blueberry - they look very similar) pie. As an added bonus we enjoyed blueberry pancakes smothered in fresh hot blueberry sauce. Now, we head to Blueberry Lane in Otter Lake and freeze them for winter enjoyment. 
• 
  
• Blueberry pancakes with blueberry sauce was our Christmas day breakfast, this year.
•  
• Mix:
• 2 Tablespoons cornstarch 
• 1 cup white sugar 
• 
  
• Slowly stir in:
• 1 cup orange juice 

Add:

• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• 
  
• Stir until thick, then add:
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

Chinese Cabbage Salad

Nonna made this one Christmas, and it was an immediate favorite. It is great for pot-lucks; I always get requests for the recipe.

1 Head Cabbage, shredded

8 Tbsp.  Sesame Seed

2 Pkg. Ramen Noodles, crushed (I just pound the pkg with a wooden spoon before I open it! Save the seasoning packs for use in another recipe; I use them to flavor rice.) 

8 tsp. Sliced Almonds

8 tsp. Sliced Green Onions

Brown almonds and sesame seeds in a small amount of butter. Mix cabbage and onions in a large bowl. Just before serving, add sesame seeds, almonds, noodles, and toss with dressing.

Dressing:  Mix all ingredients in a jar and shake.

2 Tbsp. Sugar

½ Cup Oil

3/4 tsp. Salt

½ tsp. Pepper

1 tsp. Accent

3 Tbsp. Rice Vinegar

Fake Apple (Zucchini) Pie

This is an amazing recipe I got from family friend, Joan Davidson. I have made this for pot luck and family gatherings and even my dad could not believe it was made with zucchini instead of apples. It's a great one for those "40 pounders" you don't know what to do with.

Stir together in medium saucepan:

5 C zucchini - peel, seeded, and sliced
3/4 C sugar
1/2 C lemon juice
1/4 C water
1 tsp cinnamon

Boil 15-20 minutes until zucchini is tender NOT mushy.

Add 2 Tbsp cornstarch mixed with a little cold water to thicken the sauce.

Pour into unbaked homemade or bought pie shell.

Top with Crumb Topping:
1 C flour
1/2 C Crisco shortening
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Bake 20-25 minutes @ 325-350F.

See if you family can tell the difference...
:)

Broccoli Salad

This is a favorite Christmas Holiday salad for it's color, but also a great pot-luck or company's coming salad because it makes a lot.

2 bunches of broccoli - chopped
1 small sweet red onion - chopped
1 cup sunflower meat (seeds)
1 cup raisins
3/4-1 # bacon - cooked and crumbled
2 oz. red pimento

Toss all ingredients together, stir in dressing (I usually use only half the dressing):
1 cup salad dressing (Miracle Whip)
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup sugar