Homemade Applesauce

Serve hot applesauce right from the pan with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a light and delicious dessert, or plain, or even can it for later.

5 apples (any kind, but the sweeter varieties will need less sugar added)
water
1/4 cup sugar

Peel and core apples and throw in a pot with enough water to almost cover the apples. Boil until tender to a fork. Drain apples. A large spoon should do the job smashing them up, I like them a little chunky. If they are too thick mix in a little water, until you like the consistency. Add about 1/4 cup sugar and taste. Add more sugar to taste. Serve hot or cold. Makes about 4 servings.

German Potato Pancakes

(All Recipes)

Makes a fabulous dinner with homemade applesauce.

2 eggs
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
6 medium potatoes, peeled and shredded (half bag frozen shredded potatoe hash browns)
1/2 cup finely chopped onion (white or red)
1/4 cup vegetable oil



In a large bowl, beat together eggs, flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Mix in potatoes and onion. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. In batches, drop heaping spoonfuls of the potato mixture into the skillet. Press to flatten. Cook about 3 minutes on each side, until browned and crisp. Drain on paper towels.

Recipe and photo found here

***Sour Cream Pound Cake***

(Oma J.)

Best dessert to have in your kitchen all through the holidays

1 cup butter, room temperature
3 cups sugar
6 eggs, room temperature
3 cups all purpose white flour (can use half wheat half white)
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
8 ounces sour cream (1 cup), room temperature (regular or light works fine)
1 Tablespoon almond extract (may substitute vanilla or lemon)

Cream butter and sugar together until fluffy with mixer (I use my Kitchen Aid with the wire/whisk mixing attachment). Add eggs, one at a time, and beating after each egg. Add salt, baking soda, and almond flavoring and beat until blended. Mix flour alternately with sour cream, beating slowly after each addition. Bake in steeple pan or bunt pan well greased and lightly floured and remember to grease and flour the tube.

Bake at 325° degrees for 1½ hour (depending on oven may be done in 1 hour - check with toothpick). Done when lightly golden and toothpick comes out clean when inserted, also when pressed lightly the indentation should not remain. Take out of oven and cool on cooling rack 10 minutes. Loosen sides with butter knife or spatula and remember to loosen tube part. Let cake cool completely or at least until no longer hot, before removing from pan to prevent the cake from crumbling and breaking apart. Pull the tube part out and then try to loosen bottom with butter knife. Turn upside down and onto cooling rack. Serve with strawberries, vanilla ice-cream, whip cream,or plain.

Best results come when butter, eggs, and sour cream are at room temperature before starting, or at least sit 30 minutes before starting

Popcorn

3 Tablespoons oil
1/2 cup popcorn kernels
salt

Put oil and popcorn in a heavy pot over medium high heat with lid cracked. When popping slows turn off heat and salt to taste.