Cooking with Friends: Cookin' Kuchen

My Aunt Barb, also known as Aunt Bubba due to my inability to say Barbara when I was first starting to talk, makes the best kuchen I've ever had. She was taught by her mother-in-law, who was from Germany. Though it can be made with any fruit, Plum Kuchen is my favorite. Last Tuesday night she had my mom and I over for dinner. After a nice roast chicken dinner that my mom had brought, we were treated to the pièce de résistance, a plum and apple kuchen. Here is a piece of full on plum glory, topped by fresh whipped cream...

If you're not familiar with kuchen, the word "Kuchen" itself is the German word for cake. The base of my Aunt's kuchen is cake based, as seen in the photo below, topped with a layer of fruit, then streusel topping. You'll notice the apple in this photo in the right side of the kuchen, she made one end of apple, which is James' favorite. RECIPE:

~ For the Base:

• 1 cup flour


• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder


• 1 tbsp sugar


• 1/4 cup shortening


• 1 egg


• 1/4 cup milk

~ 3 cups (or more) of fruit

~ For Streusel Topping:

• 1 cup flour


• 1/2 cup sugar


• 1/2 tsp nutmeg


• 1/2 tsp cinnamon


• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter


• 1/8 tsp salt

Base: Sift together flour, baking powder, and 1 tbsp sugar. Cut in the shortening. Stir in combined egg and milk with a fork. Spread into a greased 10"x6"x2" pan. Brush with 2 tbsp melted butter. Arrange fruit on top. Cover with streusel mixture. Bake at 350F for 40-45 minutes, until fruit is tender. Cool to eat.

It is so good that you are guarantee with these results...

Cooking with Friends: Birthdays and Barbeques

Today I would like to wish my friend Gloria a very happy birthday!!! Happy 3-0!!!

Gloria is truly a girl after my own heart, she is one of my top 3 of all time favorite eating and drinking friends. A few weeks ago she invited me over for an afternoon of food, gossip, and loads of wine. In honor of my upcoming trip to France, we went for a French theme. We started with quiche, cheese, veggies, delish golden beets, salami, olives and loads of little nibbles. It was all very good, and my only regret was that so was the wine and conversation, so much so that I forgot to get photos. I did have my favorite canine boy, Hashi, on my lap most of the time, so that's my excuse.

After a little swim in which my inner 8 year old got to shine with flips and hand stands, Gloria grilled the most amazing chicken. She had marinated it for several hours in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and Herbs de Provence. I'm drooling just thinking about it now! It was cooked perfectly, so juicy and tender. Gloria is truly a woman who knows her grilling!