Happy New Year, Much Prosperity for 2013

As we embark on a New Year I want to say thank you to all my followers first and foremost for taking that brave step and signing up. It has been great having you aboard. Secondly I would like to say thank you to everyone that visits my blog and takes a read every now and again. It has been my pleasure entertaining you with my food talk. It has truly been a wonderful time spent with you.

As 2012 closes and 2013 begins I pray that we will all make the best use of whatever time we have, as time is so limited and so precious. I encourage you to try that recipe that you have always wanted to try. Sample that dessert you always wanted to, what are you waiting for ....just remember everything in moderation.

For me, in the new year I plan to do more writing, more reading, more sleeping, more eating, more of everything that I love. My goal is to live a fuller and less complicated life. Again everything in moderation.

A sweet treat for 2013

 

Wishing you all the very best for 2013. May God continue to bless you all.

 

Always remember to take life one day at a time.

 

Jamaican Plain Cake

Now this has to be one of my favorite cakes of all time, because just as the name suggest it is a plain cake. It is very easy to put together and it is a nice end to any meal.

I remember when I was a child growing up, my mom used to bake all the time. The rule of thumb was whenever the oven was on she would "throw" something else in there. For the most part the oven would be used on a Sunday when my dad would make bake chicken or some other meat kind for Sunday dinner, so of course you can expect my mom to bake plain cake or cornmeal pudding or good ole toto. (If you check a previous blog you will see the recipe for Jamaican Toto).

Earlier this week I was thinking of baking ..... when am I not thinking of baking : ) and I was thinking of baking some Rock Buns for the kids as a snack when they come home from school. My son says, "Mom can we have a cake or something?". So I decided to bake a Plain Cake. Lets just say its all gone now. It makes a great afternoon snack for the kids and it is very easy to make with ingredients you already have in your cupboard.

Even if you are a novice baker this is a simple recipe to make. It is also great if you half it.

Ingredients

3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups butter (softened)
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond extract (makes it extra special)
6 eggs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2 loaf pans or 2 9"baking pans.
2. Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl.
3. Add butter, milk, vanilla and almond extract.
4. Mix on low speed for a minute then on high speed for 2 minutes. Stop and scrape the bowl. (Batter will be thick)
5. Add eggs one at a time and mix well after each addition.
6. Pour batter into prepared pans. 
7. Bake for 1hr 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
8. Cool completely and then enjoy.

***Note - Use grated lemon rind or lemon flavour to make lemon cake

For other Jamaican Recipes like this, you can find them in my cookbook - Jamaica's Forgotten Treats available for purchase at www.renaeescakes.com

If you like what you see, sign up and become a follower. I would love to hear from you. 

Always remember to take life one day at a time

Pumpkin Cookies

Pumpkin season is upon us, and I was thinking of another recipe to make with pumpkin. You have pumpkin pie, pumpkin muffin, pumpkin bread, but have you had pumpkin cookies. That's what I said interesting. So I decided to make some. It is soft, pumpkiny and oh so delicious.

You have to try this recipe. It is very easy to assembly and the kids will just eat them up. It makes about 36 and right now I have about 24. My kids gobbled them up : )

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter softened
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
 1/2 cup raisins

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease baking sheets.


2. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and raisins in medium bowl. 


3. Beat sugar and butter in large mixer bowl until well blended. 


4. Beat in pumpkin, egg and vanilla extract until smooth. 


5. Gradually beat in flour mixture. 


6. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets.


7. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until edges are firm. 


8. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. 


9. Drizzle Glaze over cookies.

For Glaze:

1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar

3  tbsp milk

1 tbsp melted butter 

1 tsp vanilla 

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. 

If you like what you see, sign up and become a follower. I would love to hear from you.

Always remember to take life one day at a time

Scones

So today I am watching the television, my kids are home from school for the day. I'm thinking I should bake something. I decided on making some scones. Well I have a tried and tested recipe, but I decided to try another scone recipe to see how it bakes up.

I found that it was very sticky so I would say reduce the milk quantity from 2/3 cup to 1/2 cup or add the milk a little at a time just in case you don't need as much.

Outside of that change the recipe was ok. But I forgot to add the raisins. You know scones are not sweet, so not having the raisins means you need to add jam or jelly to give it that extra something.
I did however, sprinkle a little sugar on the tops. That did help quite a bit.

Here is a pic below and I will share the recipe as well with my changes.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 beaten egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup Raisins

 

 Directions

 

• Heat oven to 400 F.
• Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
• Using pastry blender or fork, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Combine milk, egg and vanilla.
• Add to flour mixture slowly; stir until dry ingredients are moistened.
• Stir in raisins.
• Turn dough out onto a floured surface, sprinkle with a little flour and lightly knead.
• Flatten inot round circle and cut dough into 8-inch round
• Plcae on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Sprinkle with additional sugar, if desired.
• Bake at 400F for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Serve warm and enjoy

 I have some pumpkin that is about to make a debut in some dessert I'm about to make. Stay tuned.

Always remember to take life one day at a time.

I'm Back - Long Time

Hi everyone, it has been such a long time since I have been on my blog. With writing a new book and trying to promote it and just life in general, I had to take a break. I am hoping that I can make more posts going forward and that you will let me know what you are thinking. 

Do you like what you read? Do you want more? Do you have any burning questions? Let me know. Let's get this conversation started. 

I was able to visit with my parents in Jamaica this summer during the celebrations. It was very exciting. I could not have picked a better time to visit, with the Olympics and Jamaica's 50th Celebration. There was so much to see and enjoy. 

Just want to share a few pictures with you of the town into Montego Bay decorated. I hope you enjoy them. 

 Sam Sharpe's Square

Always remember to take life one day at a time.

Jamaica's 50th Anniversary

 It has been so long that we have connected. I hope you have forgotten about me or given up on me. I have been so getting my book written for Jamaica's 50th Anniversary. I didn't want to miss this opportunity to take that trip down memory lane. I am proud to be presenting my new cookbook - MEMBA WHEN. More details to follow

I am making sure that I am in the mix for the celebrations. I can't wait, you know there is no party like a Jamaican party. We know how to make it happen. 

Jamaica Land We Love. 

Always remember to take life one day at a time.

Happy Easter - Enjoying the Bun without the Cheese

Easter is a very special time of year for us in Jamaica. We celebrate Jesus' death and resurrection. It is also a time when we eat alot of Bun and Cheese. You know as a food blogger I had to share. Growing up I always liked HTB Bun and Tastee Cheddar Cheese, but now that I am grown (still debating) I make my own.

There is something to be said about making you own treats and desserts. It is fresh and minus all the extra additives. Not saying they are not delicious, I just have a thing for hot and warm cakes. I have to taste it as soon as it comes out of the oven. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I need to take pictures. With a busy schedule, taking care of the kids, writing a cookbook I almost didn't get my own order in. But I was not to be deterred. I'm so glad I persevered. This bun is DELICIOUS. I don't even need cheese to eat with it.

I think I need another piece. It is so moist, not too sweet except when you meet up on a mixed peel. I have to say, I have a new appreciation for the mixed peel. Growing up I didn't really like it, but I think my pallet has matured. I am enjoying this very much.

There are so many other food traditions from around the world, what are some of your Easter traditions. Let us know.

Always remember to take life one day at a time