Carrot Pudding, Just Like Grandma's

A traditional family recipe that finishes almost every Christmas Dinner that I can remember. I only started liking it a couple of years ago. I made it for the first time last night. It feels really cool to be part of the making of a tradition!

As per Grandma's instructions, I added 1/2 cup softened butter to the pudding mixture and stirred the baking soda into some of the grated potatoes before mixing them in--she says it activates the soda and makes the pudding lighter in texture. I also cut the amount of cloves in half. It just seemed like a lot considering how strong they are. I then packed the mixture into clean pint jars (two for this recipe) topped with seals and rings, and then steamed as per the instructions. Don't forget to put a rack in the bottom of your pot.

I filled one jar a little too full so it didn't seal properly. Richard and I tested it last night. The pudding is rich, moist and sweet with just the right amount of spice.

Edited to add:
Leave LOTS of room in the jars for expansion.  Don't fill them more than 1/3 full or you will blow the tops off.

Substitute rum extract for vanilla or just add big splash of actual dark or spiced rum in the sauce for an extra delicious kick.

Carrot Pudding

Submitted by: Joyce Rehagen Rated: 5 out of 5 by 7 members

Yields: 7 servings

"Moist, dense and spicy, this steamed pudding features grated carrots and potatoes, a handful of raisins and a fragrant mixture of ground cinnamon, cloves and allspice. Top with a rich and creamy butter sauce for a truly magical dessert."

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup grated carrots 1 cup peeled and shredded potatoes 1 cup white sugar 1 cup raisins 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground allspice 1 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 1 cup white sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

1.	In a large mixing bowl, combine carrots, potatoes, sugar, raisins, flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, all spice, and ground cloves. Transfer mixture to a clean 1 pound coffee can. Secure wax paper over the top and place the filled can in a large pot with 2 to 3 inches of water. Cover the pot and bring the water to a simmer.
2.	Steam the cake for 2 hours. Serve warm.
3.	Buttery sauce: In a medium-size pot, combine butter or margarine, cream, sugar, and vanilla. Heat until the mixture is liquid. Spoon mixture over the warm carrot pudding to serve.

Carrot Cake

Mama Bear asked me for my favourite carrot cake recipe. This is the one I swear by. It tastes fantastic, and if you don't tell anyone they will have no idea it is low fat to boot. I call this Anniversary cake because we had carrot cake as a wedding cake so I make it every year on our wedding anniversary now.

Jen's Anniversary Cake

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp cinnamon
1-1/2 tsp each baking powder and baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup drained, crushed pineapple
3/4 cup fat-free egg substitute or 3 whole eggs
3/4 cup buttermilk (you could also pour 1 tbsp vinegar into a measuring cup and top off with plain milk to measure 3/4 cup)
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla
3 cups grated carrots
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

• Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside.
• Combine first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together brown sugar, pineapple, eggs, buttermilk, applesauce, oil and vanilla. Stir in grated carrots. Add flour mixture to carrot mixture and stir until well blended. Stir in nuts.
• Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Set pan on wire rack and cool cake completely.
• While cake is cooling prepare your favourite cream cheese icing. When cake is cool, slather with cream cheese love . If cake is not devoured in one sitting, store leftovers in the fridge.

If you need more slices this cake can easily be made in a 10 X 14 inch rimmed sheet pan. You may need to adjust your cooking time. I lined mine with baking parchment to prevent sticking.

Cream Cheese Frosting
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened (regular or low-fat)
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla
5 3/4 to 6 1/4 cups sifted powdered sugar

• Beat first three ingredients with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add 2 cups of the powdered sugar, beating well. Gradually beat in additional powdered sugar to reach spreading consistency.

If you bake your cake in a 9 x 13 pan you will have leftover frosting. Do not despair. Spread it on graham crackers and top with fresh fruit slices. Dip cookies in it. Lick it off of a spoon. Use your imagination.

Iced Cappuccino

Richard's Iced Cappuccino

1 can evaporated milk
10 cups really strong brewed coffee (dark roast is best), cooled to room temperature.
2/3 cup sugar (brown or white, it makes no difference)
2 tsp vanilla
1-2 cups regular milk

Combine evaporated milk and sugar in a microwavable container and cook on HIGH 6 minutes, stirring at least twice. The goal is to scald the milk and caramelize the sugar a bit. Combine milk/sugar mixture with cooled coffee and add vanilla. Add more milk to taste, and chill well.

Now the fun begins: pour over ice cubes and sip on your deck in the sun. For a frothy frappuccino just put your cappuccino in your blender with ice then top the mixture with whipped cream, chocolate sauce and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Irish Creme, Khalua, Creme de Cacao, or your favourite shnapps added makes a yummy adult drink.

Use your imagination and let me know what you come up with!.

Lemon cheesecake squares

I made this for a friend's baby shower as it originally appeared in one of my favorite cookbooks, Crazy Plates. I made it a second time and modified the recipe to suit my tastes. Here is my version of "Jolly Good Squares"

Jen's Fluffy Lemon Cheesecake Squares

In a small bowl, mix together:
1 3 oz box lemon jello
1 cup boiling water
Refrigerate until thickened, about 45 minutes.

Meanwhile make the crust:
Melt 1/4 cup light butter and blend with 1-1/2 cups low-fat graham wafer crumbs and one tablespoon brown sugar.
Press into the bottom of a 9 x 13" pan that has been sprayed with no-stick spray.
Refrigerate while you make the filling.

Filling:
Blend 1 block of light cream cheese that has been softened with 1/2 cup sugar, the juice of one lemon, zest from half the lemon, and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract until well combined.
Add in the thickened jello and mix well. Fold in 4 cups of light whipped topping that has been thawed. If you are not counting calories, fold in 4 cups of stiffly whipped cream instead. (you may have to add a bit more sugar and vanilla if you are using whipped cream.)
Pour into prepared crust and garnish with the zest from the other half of the lemon.
Refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours.

If sliced into 24 squares, each serving is 3 weight watchers points

Variations:
Prepare dessert in a springform pan and freeze.
Serve dessert drizzled with strained, pureed berries sweetened to taste.
Use filling as a dip for fresh fruit.