Showing posts with label yum-yum cake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yum-yum cake. Show all posts

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Leek Potato Soup with Coconut Milk


On Christmas morning I made leek potato soup, thanks to some inspiration from my Dad.  It's a hearty winter soup with (you guessed it) - leeks, potatoes, and coconut milk, which reminds me of home and Thai food all in one bowl.

It's delicious.  Unfortunately, I don't think the picture does this soup justice.  


For this recipe you'll need:
several tablespoons of vegetable oil 
3 cloves of garlic, minced
small onion, chopped
1 stalk of celery, chopped
3 leeks, cleaned and chopped
2 14-ounce cans of chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup regular or light coconut milk (I used light)
salt and pepper, to taste
1 pound potatoes, chopped in bite-size pieces, cooked
1 tablespoon Trader Joe's garlic and herb butter, or regular butter

Servings: Makes 6-8 bowls  

Directions:
1. In a stock pot, add the vegetable oil and sauté the onion, garlic, and celery for several minutes.  Salt and pepper this layer. 

2. Add the chopped leeks and garlic butter* and sauté until they wither down. Again, add salt and pepper.

3. Next add the broth, coconut milk, cooked potatoes, and another dash of salt and pepper.  Simmer for 30 minutes.  Remembering to stir often so the coconut milk does not burn or stick to the bottom of the stock pot.

4. Serve hot and enjoy!

Note:
* We bought some Trader Joe's garlic and herb butter for our Christmas Eve lobster ravioli so I decided to throw some into the soup for another layer of flavor instead of regular butter.  Who am I kidding, we only had one stick of butter left and I needed the whole stick for Yum-Yum Cake. 

Monday, September 3, 2012

Yum-Yum Cake

Growing up my Aunt Doris made Robert Redford cake; it was delicious and very similar to this Yum-Yum recipe, but with a nutty pecan bottom and shaved chocolate on top.   Aunt Doris was an amazing baker, but I was afraid that her recipes, like this one, were lost.  I spoke to my Mom and it turns out she has Aunt Doris' family recipes and old cookbooks -YAY; this one is similar the one my Mom shared over the phone.


On the other side of the family, we have some nut allergies.  M's cousin started making Yum-Yum Cake for family gatherings.  This nut-free, layered dessert is always a huge hit. Yesterday I made it for our Labor Day cookout.

For Yum-Yum Cake you'll need a 9x9 pan.

Layer 1:
1 cup of graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup of melted butter

Combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter in a bowl.  Spray the 9x9 inch pan with cooking spray and press into the dish.  Bake for 15 minutes @ 350°F.  Set aside to cool. 

Layer 2:
4 ounces cream cheese (I have used regular, light, and free-fat and they all work.)
4 ounces Cool Whip
1/2 cup powered sugar

With an electric mixer, blend these ingredients together and spread onto of the cooled graham cracker crust.  Place in the refrigerator to set.

Layer 3:
Make a small box of instant chocolate pudding according to the directions.  Pour on top of layer 2.  Again, place in the refrigerator to set.

Layer 4:
Spread the remainder of the Cool Whip (4 more ounces) on top and add sprinkles.  Keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve. 

Cooking Notes:
We make this recipe in a 9x9 pan because if you don't eat it within a few days it gets soggy.  This is the perfect size for our friends and us.  You could always double the recipe for a 13x9 pan.