Friday, September 23, 2011

Happy Autumn!!!!

Today is the first day of autumn!  Summer has sure flown by!!!

It is starting to be the time to put away the summer clothing and bring out the warmer fall and winter (ACK!) stuff! Ok, I am not quite ready for snow yet!!!!

Autumn is also the time to bring out my slow cooker and make some wonderful comfort foods like chilis and casseroles! I hope to share some of my favorite recipes in the coming months!

 Happy Autumn!!!

Prairie Harvest by T. Farthing

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Baking....Zucchini Bundt Cake

Last night was our first frost. It actually got down to minus 5 Celcius...brrr! Considering last week it was plus 30!

I have a few zucchini left that from the garden that have to be used up or grated and frozen. I thought I would share this recipe that I love to make every fall.

I have yet to find oodles of zucchini recipes that I love. I did find this one recipe from FabulousFoods.com for a chocolate zucchini bundt cake. I must say it is very dark and rich and tastes wonderful. It is not really sweet either, which I like. This is definately a keeper! I make a chocolate icing glaze for the top but it would be just fine sprinkled with icing sugar.

Here is the recipe:

3 cups shredded zucchini
3/4 cup cocoa
1 2/3 cup flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3 eggs (or 3/4 cup egg substitute)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 F. Coat a 9" bundt pan with cooking spray and lightly dust with 2 tbsp. cocoa powder. (I just dusted with flour as I was low on cocoa powder)

In a large bowl combine cocoa, flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In a small bowl combine eggs, oil and vanilla.

Add egg mixture to dry ingredients and beat vigourously to combine until well blended. This mixture is VERY STIFF!!

Stir in shredded zucchini until well blended, pour batter into pan and bake for 50 - 55 minutes until cake tester comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 20 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely.

Do you have any favorite zucchini recipes? Please feel free to share them!