Cross Rhodes Academy
"Future Leaders Of America"
Romans 12:2 NLT
• Nov. 13, 2009 - Texas
This week in our study of South Central states is Texas. The capital of Texas is Austin. Did you know that its captial was named after Stephen F. Austin? He led a group of Americans that settled in Texas. We found out that Texas is famous for many great dishes because of it's diverse food heritage. Here's a great one to try...
Texas Sheet Cake
Ingredients:
For the Cake
2 c. Sugar
2 . All-purpose flour
1/4 c. Cocoa
1 t Baking soda
1 t Cinnamon
1/2 c. Butter (1 stick), melted
1/2 c. Buttermilk
1/2 c. Canola or other vegetable oil
1 c. Water
2 Eggs, lightly beaten
1 t Vanilla extract
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease and flour a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking pan. Sift together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda and cinnamon, and set aside.
Stir together the remaining ingredients. Mix the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients, stirring until smooth. The batter will be rather thin. Pour
into your prepared pan, and bake at 400°F for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. While the cake is baking, prepare the frosting.
For the Frosting
1/4 c. Plus 2 tablespoons Milk (whole, 2%, skim - doesn't matter)
1/4 c. Cocoa
1/2 c. Butter
1 pound Confectioner's sugar, sifted (about 4 cups)
1 t Vanilla extract
1 c. Chopped pecans
Directions:
Mix the milk and cocoa in a heavy saucepan (stir, stir, stir). Add the butter and, over medium heat, stir until the butter melts. Remove from heat and
gradually stir in the sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add the pecans. When the cake is just out of the oven, spread the frosting evenly over the hot
cake. If you aren't sure about your oven, you can test it with one of those little dime store oven thermometers.
Note: With its comparatively thin batter, Texas Sheet Cake requires every bit of the 400° heat in your oven, if it's going to get done in 20 minutes.
If you are from Texas feel free to share a recipe with us to try. This is the last of the South Central states. I won't be back until after the holidays to share with you about our state studies. We are taking a break away from the states until then. Thank you for stopping by to learn along with us. |
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• Nov. 5, 2009 - Oklahoma
This week in our study of South Central states is Oklahoma. The capital of Oklahoma is Oklahoma City. Did you know that in the 1890's Oklahoma became a major oil producing state? The first oil well was drilled near Chelsea in 1889. We found there were many great foods associated with Oklahoma's history so here's a recipe using some of them...
Oklahoma Cake
Ingredients:
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1-1/2 cups vegetable oil
3 lightly beaten eggs
1 can (8 oz.) crushed pineapple, undrained
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel (optional)
1 cup shredded coconut (optional)
2 cups powdered sugar
1 pkg. (3 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup margarine or butter
Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, using a spoon, mix all cake ingredients together. Pour into greased and floured bundt pan. Bake for 40-60 minutes at 350 degrees. Cake is done when it crusts on top. Cool on rack 20 minutes then invert. Mix all frosting ingredients together and spread on cake as soon as removed from pan.
We haven't tried this recipe yet but it does sound very tasty. If you are from Oklahoma feel free to share a recipe with us to try. I'll be back next week to tell you about the last state in our study of the South Central States. |
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• Oct. 30, 2009 - Louisiana
This week in our study of South Central states is Louisiana. The capital of Louisiana is Baton Rouge. Did you know that in 1803 the French sold the entire Louisiana Territory to the U.S. for fifteen million dollars? It was called the "Louisiana Purchase". Early in Louisiana there was a blending of foods from Spanish, English, and French foods. We know them today as the Cajun (creole) cuisine. Here's a recipe we tried:
Louisiana Dirty Rice
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 4 cups white rice, cooked
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cup celery, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup green onion tops, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
PREPARATION:
Sauté celery, onion and green pepper in large frying pan. Add ground beef and brown lightly. Add the cooked rice, parsley, green onion tops, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly and serve. I also added some paprika to bring the color to the dirty rice.
I would have had a picture of this to show you but I didn't remember it until we had eaten it up. Sorry...It's been a busy week and I've had lots of things keeping me busy. If you are from Louisiana feel free to share a recipe with us to try. I'll be back next week to tell you about the next state in our study of the South Central States. |
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• Oct. 21, 2009 - Arkansas
This week we have started our study on the South Central states. The state we learned about this week is Arkansas. The capital of Arkansas is Little Rock. My dh happend to be born and raised in West Memphis, AR. Did you know that Little Rock is the largest city in the state of Arkansas? The tomato is Arkansas's state fruit and vegetable so here's a recipe we tried...
Arkansas BBQ Sauce
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup water
1/8 cup black pepper
3 oz brown sugar
1/8 cup red pepper flakes
3 oz Worcestershire sauce
3/4 qt red wine vinegar
3 oz yellow mustard
1/4 qt white wine
1/4 cup ketchup
3 oz salt
PREPARATION:
Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 1/2 hour. Do not cook or store in aluminum. Store sauce in a glass container.
These are pictures of ours once it was finished cooking.
We enjoyed eating this spicy dipping sauce  on some baked pork steaks. We also tried it on baked chicken the next night. If you are from Arkansas feel free to share a recipe with us to try. I'll be back next week to tell you about the next state in our study of the South Central States. |
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• Oct. 15, 2009 - Ohio
This week in our study of the Midwestern states is Ohio. It is the last of the Midwestern states in our study. The capital of Ohio is Columbus. Did you know the word Ohio is an Iroquois Indian word that means "something big"? Also in the 19th century Cincinnati was known as "Porkopolis" because of its famous hog industry. We found an interesting recipe to go with our study of Ohio.
Ohio Pork Cake
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup finely chopped salt pork
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1 cup molasses
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp. allspice
- 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
PREPARATION:
1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 8" square pan. Place chopped salt pork in large bowl. Pour in boiling water, then cool to room temperature.
2. In small bowl, add baking soda to molasses, stirring until dissolved. Stir molasses, sugar, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cloves into salt pork.
3. Gradually stir in flour until just blended. Pour into pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 1 to 1-1/4 hour, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
If you are from Ohio please share a recipe with us to try. I'll be back next week when we begin our study of the South Central States.  |
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• Oct. 8, 2009 - Indiana
This week in our study of the Midwestern states is Indiana. The capital of Indiana is Indianapolis. Did you know the word Indiana means "land of the Indians"? Indians lived in Indiana before the 1st French explorers arrived. We found a delicious recipe to go with our study of Indiana...
Indiana Butterscotch Pie
INGREDIENTS:
- 1-1/2 cup brown sugar
- 4 Tbsp butter
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 cups milk
- Baked pie crust
For Meringue:
- 2 egg whites
- pinch salt
- 2 Tbsp confectioner's sugar
- Dash vanilla
PREPARATION:
Put brown sugar and butter in saucepan. Cook over medium heat until melted. Add flour, salt, egg yolks and milk. Cook in double boiler until thick. Pour into baked pie crust.
To Prepare the Meringue:
Beat all ingredients together with mixer until soft peaks form. Top pie with meringue and bake in oven until meringue turns light brown.
If you are from Indiana please share a recipe with us to try. I'll be back next week to tell you about the last of the Midwestern states we are studying. Do you know which one it is? |
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• Oct. 2, 2009 - Michigan
This week in our study of the Midwestern states is Michigan. The capital of Michigan is Lansing. The Apple Blossom is Michigan's state flower. We also learn the history about Kellogg's cereal beginnings in Battle Creek, Michigan. We found some delicious recipes to go with our study of Michigan.
How about making some yummy Rice Krispie Treats? As you sit down to enjoy eating them why not wash it down with some...
Michigan Hot Apple Cider
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 gallon apple cider (Michigan apple cider, if available)
1/2 tsp salt
4 cinnamon sticks
1 Tbsp whole cloves
1 Tbsp allspice
PREPARATION:
Place all spices in a small cheesecloth bag. In a large pot, mix brown sugar, apple cider, and salt. Place spice bag in pot (Corning or Pyrex is best). Heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve in a mug with cinnamon stick to stir.
Now who doesn't love eating Rice Krispie Treats? We ate them before they even cooled off...LOL Hot Apple Cider is also great this time of the year. If you are from Michigan please share a recipe with us to try. I'll be back next week to tell you about the next Midwestern state we are studying. Until then thanks for taking the time to stop by  . |
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• Sep. 24, 2009 - Illinois
This week in our study of the Midwestern states is Illinois. The capital of Illinois is Springfield. Did you know that Illinois is known as the "Land of the Lincoln"? Abraham Lincoln became a lawyer while living in Illinois. The Lincoln Monument is in Chicago Illinois. There are some delicious foods in Illinois. Here's one of many great recipes to try...
Chicago Style Hot Dog
INGREDIENTS:
- Vienna Beef Hot Dogs
- Poppy seed Buns
- Mustard
- Relish
- Fresh chopped onions
- Tomato wedges
- Kosher pickle spears
- Sport peppers
- Dash celery salt
PREPARATION:
Heat in water, steam, grill or microwave hot dog. Place the authentic Vienna Beef Hot Dog in a steamed poppy seed bun. Then pile on the toppings in this order:
- Yellow Mustard
- Bright Green Relish
- Fresh Chopped Onions
- Two Tomato Wedges
- Kosher Pickle Spear
- Two Sport Peppers (careful!)
- Celery Salt
***For the kids, you might want to leave off the onions and peppers, maybe even the tomatoes and pickle and just add some ketchup.
If you are from Illinois please share a recipe with us to try. I'll be back next week to tell you about the next Midwestern state we are studying. Until then thanks for taking the time to stop by . |
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• Sep. 17, 2009 - Wisconsin
This week in our study of the Midwestern states is Wisconsin. The capital of Wisconsin is Madison. Some edible state symbols of Wisconsin are sugar maple (tree), dairy cow (state domestic animal), honeybee (state insect), milk (state beverage), and corn (state grain). Here's a delicious recipe we tried...
Wisconsin Cheese Soup
Ingredients:
5 tablespoons margarine
2 carrots, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
5 button mushrooms, chopped
1/2 cup chopped ham
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
4 cups chicken broth
4 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
2 cups sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1 In a large heavy kettle, melt butter or margarine. Add carrots, celery, onion, green pepper, mushrooms, and ham; cook over medium heat until vegetables are crisp tender, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not brown.
2 Stir in flour and cornstarch; cook, stirring constantly, about 3 minutes. Add broth and cook, stirring, until slightly thickened. Add milk, paprika, cayenne, and mustard.
3 Stir in cheese gradually, stirring until cheese is melted. To avoid curdling, do not allow soup to boil after cheese is added. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve piping hot.
Makes 6 servings
Here is a picture of how a bowl of it looked after it was done:
We all really liked this soup. It goes great with a good piece of crusty toast. If you are from Wisconsin please share a recipe with us to try. I'll be back next week to tell you about the next Midwestern state we are studying. Until then thanks for taking the time to stop by  . |
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• Sep. 4, 2009 - Nebraska
This week in our study of the Midwestern states is Nebraska. The capital of Nebraska is Lincoln. Did you know that Kool-Aid was invented in Hastings, Nebraska in 1927? You can read all about it here. Here's a recipe we found that we want to try...
Kool-Aid Slush
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar sweetened Kool-Aid mix, any flavor
- 3 cups ice cubes, divided
PREPARATION:
1. Put water, Kool-Aid mix and 1 cup of the ice cubes in blender and blend on high speed until smooth. Add remaining 2 cups ice cubes and blend, using pulsing action, until smooth.
If you are from Nebraska please share a recipe with us to try. I'll be back in two weeks to tell you about the next Midwestern states we are studying. Until then thanks for stopping by. |
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