Baked Chicken Loaf

I have a confession to make on behalf of Grandma.  Her recipe box is filled with lots of options for the sweet tooth, and not as much for the meat and potatoes crowd.  I somehow doubt this is the way they ate every day, but I can distinctly remember growing up with a daily offering of dessert to finish our supper.  My, how things have changed!  (At least at my household).   My family wonders what the event is if they come home to homemade baked goods.

So, this recipe is one of the rare entree selections!  Again, out of necessity, I happened to have leftover chicken that was calling out to me.  As I was baking this, Bryce notified me that his friend was staying for dinner (Midwest translation = "supper").  His friend has a healthy appetite, so I was worried this wouldn’t feed us all – but that’s the beauty of this dish.  It makes a little go a longer way – which is probably one reason it made it in the box!  

My Favorite White Cake

My version with fresh-picked blueberries and whipped cream

With a name such as "My Favorite White Cake," who could resist the temptation to give it a try?  White cake to me is very decadent in that it requires a level of fussiness to separate the egg whites from the yolks, and then there is a decision of what to use the yolks for?  (I can't imagine Grandma getting rid of any food, and I'm sure cholesterol wasn't the issue that is it today).  Plus, this recipe calls for cake flour...something I usually skimp on.  So, I see this cake as being special.

This recipe must have seen a lot of use!  Minimal ingredients and no instructions.

My Favorite White Cake
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 cup water
3 cups cake flour
2 teas. baking powder with 4 beaten egg whites
Flavoring

Since there weren't any instructions - I gave my best guess based from other recipes, my baking experience, and watching numerous hours of the Food Network!

Bread and Butter Pickles

 

I suppose it could be difficult to start the process of working my way through this recipe box.  Where to begin?  Several choices exist: 1)Start at the beginning and complete each recipe as it is filed, 2)Start with what my favorites might be (I mean, let’s be honest…I could completely skip over anything with mincemeat), or 3)Be in real need of making a particular dish.  

Out of necessity, I opted for #3.

My family participates in a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).  We live in a suburb that isn’t conducive to having a garden (although the deer population would beg to differ), and I frankly don’t have time to devote to anything beyond my flower beds.  So, each year we pay to be "members" of a local organic farm, and receive a weekly box of fresh, seasonal produce that was harvested the day before.  Which brings me to my need…

I had an abundance of cucumbers!