DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CAKE

If you love a good “ooey gooey” chocolate cake, (and who doesn’t) This made from scratch recipe will definitely fill that requirement. It is even better served a day later after being refrigerated over night. I have been making it for more years than I care to remember.
Cook’s note:

Ingredients: (the two amounts of sugar and buttermilk are separated so they can be used in different steps.)

2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
4 oz unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 cups buttermilk

Instructions:
Sift together flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Melt chocolate in double boiler. Add 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup buttermilk. Stir until blended. Cool
In large bowl, work shortening with a spoon until soft. Gradually add while beating, 1 1/2 cups sugar. Beat until light. Add eggs one at a time. beating well after each egg. Beat until light and fluffy.
Add 1/4 of the flour mixture, and mix thoroughly. Add chocolate mixture and vanilla. Blend well. Add remaining flour alternating with 1 1/4 cups buttermilk; Beat just until smooth after each addition.
Spoon batter into three greased and paper lined 9 inch layer pans. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes.
Cool and frost.

FROSTING (Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting)

1 cup butter or margarine
1/2 tsp salt
2 pounds confectioners sugar
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
2 tsp vanilla

Work shortening until soft. Add other ingredients and beat until light and fluffy!

Frost and enjoy!!

OPTIONS

It’s just unreal how many different ways there are to share things these days. I remember back in the old days I wanted to share a 20 second video with Ummie and sent it to him. He left his computer on all night so it could load. In the morning it was at 99% and refused to finish loading.😭😭😭

THURSDAY IS CHILI DAY

Chili and also chilly!!
38 brisk degrees this morning in the West Virginia hills! Sounds like a great day to cook up a big pot of chili!
I have made chili pretty much the same way for the past 50+ years and was quite happy with it. Tomato juice, ground beef, kidney beans (canned) and spices, cooked for a couple of hours on a low heat. Quite tasty, but also quite time consuming.
Recently, I have discovered a new method/recipe that works out much better for today’s busy lifestyle.
Using McCormick’s chili seasoning mix and tomato sauce, along with the beef and beans eliminates practically all the cooking time. A quick browning of the meat, add beans, sauce and seasoning mix, simmer for a few, and VOILA!!! Chili!!


RE-STEW

Many years ago when I was a young mother with a new baby, a kind neighbor brought me a bowl of stew for dinner. It was so good, that I immediately ran over and begged her for the recipe. It has been a favorite in my family ever since.

If you try it, be sure to use all the different spices exactly as they are in the recipe to get the full benefit of it’s unique flavor.

Vero’s English Brown Stew

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons fat (any type)
2 pounds beef chuck, cut in large cubes
1 large onion, sliced
1 clove garlic
4 cups water
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
2 bay leaves
Pinch of allspice
Carrots and Potatoes (No definite amounts given. Put in as many or few as you like) I just throw some in until it looks like enough to feed the family.
A little corn starch and water (Adjust this to your liking)

INSTRUCTIONS

Heat fat in a large heavy saucepan. (I use a six quart dutch oven)
Brown meat on all sides. Add water and spices.
Simmer 2 hours.
Add vegetables, and cook until they are tender.
Add corn starch to a small amount of water and stir into the stew to thicken the juices.