Skillet Coffee Cake

I love me some Skillet Coffee Cake! Technically, you're supposed to slice it into miniscule, dainty little wedges and serve at bridal teas and baby showers. However, I like to slice off a big hunk to go with a steaming mug of coffee on the weekends. It is so stinkin' good - try it!

Additional note: This recipe was originally printed in "Cotton Country Cooking", first published in 1972 by the Junior League of Morgan County, Alabama to raise money for local charities. Cotton Country is practically the Bible of Southern cooking, and my family's business, Decatur Printing, printed the very first edition!

SKILLET COFFEE CAKE

3/4 C. butter
1 1/2 C. sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 C. flour
1 pinch salt
1 t. almond extract

For topping, mix together: 1/2 C. sliced almonds with 1/4 C. sugar

1) Preheat oven to 350° F

2) Melt butter and add to sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add flour, salt almond flavoring mix well. Line a cast iron skillet with 2 layers of aluminum foil extending up over sides, and spray foil with nonstick cooking spray (Pam). Pour batter into lined skillet.

3) Sprinkle topping mix on top (duh!) Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, allow to cool, remove from skillet and foil slice and serve warm.

* I have substituted vanilla flavoring for the almond extract, and pecan halves for the sliced almonds with excellent results!

Egg Muffins

We have recently discovered a wonderful, easy recipe for the most fabulous little Egg Muffins! Since TJ is limiting his carbs, these are perfect to keep in the fridge for breakfast on-the-go. They also freeze well for up to a month. Seriously, he loves them and they are very quick and easy, plus very adaptable to different flavor combinations. (Combos will be listed at the end of this post)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Line a muffin pan with two foil muffin liners and spray generously with Pam or similar cooking spray.

Add fillings of your choice till about half full, then top with your choice of cheese to be 2/3 full.

Beat together 10-12 eggs with a little milk (like 1-2 T.), season with salt and pepper, and spoon into muffin cups. We fill about halfway, then let it settle a few minutes, and add more to fill to the very top.

Bake for 30 minutes. "Muffins" will be tall and poufy when you take them out, but will fall within a few minutes like a soufflé.

Store in zip bags in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze for up to a month.

Suggested filling combinations:
• crumbled bacon with chopped tomatoes and bleu cheese
• cubed ham with finely chopped apple and havarti
• taco seasoned shredded chicken with chopped onion and mexican blend
• pulled pork barbecue with a hearty cheddar
• smoked salmon with a little onion, cream cheese and capers
• tiny cubes of leftover steak with diced fresh mushrooms and swiss

Keep on mind that you can always add veggies and fresh herbs of your choice! See what unique flavor combinations you can come up with - and enjoy being a mad kitchen scientist!

Summertime Tomato Pie

In the summertime, it seems like everybody you know is trying to give you homegrown tomatoes. But what do you do with them? This pie is a great way to use up the sackfuls of tomatoes that I end up with every summer, and is great as a side dish or for brunch. Caution! It’s VERY rich!

1 deep-dish pie shell
4 medium tomatoes, sliced
¼ c. chopped green onions of a few snipped chives
12-14 fresh basil leaves, chopped
Salt & pepper
1 c. light mayonnaise
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
½ lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled

Put the tomato slices over a plate or colander lined with paper towels and lightly salt. Let the tomatoes drain for 15 -30 minutes, then layer them in the bottom of the pie shell. Sprinkle basil, onions and half the bacon over the tomatoes and season with salt & pepper to taste. Mix mayonnaise and cheeses together and spread over the top. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes until crust is lightly browned. Top with more bacon pieces and serve warm.