Thursday, May 7, 2009

TABLESCAPE THURSDAY/FOODIE FRIDAY




I recently had the women, who are on our Hospitality Committee at our church, over for our quarterly meeting. Since the meeting always takes place at 9:30 in the morning, I try to serve something appropriate for a morning snack. So today I an combining Tablescape Thursday with Foodie Friday.I took this opportunity to use my latest dish purchase, Brook Pink, by Churchhill. I see more red in this pattern than pink, but maybe that's just what I want to see. I love toile, so I'm very pleased with the dishes no matter what color they are.



I even used a little candlelight for the girls. ;)



I served Almond Biscotti, with chocolate bottoms and a German Pound Cake, which I made into a Pecan filled Coffee Cake. Recipes to follow.





Of course I always use my crystal when I can, it doesn't do anyone any good just sitting in the china cabinet. The little crocheted dollies under the cups and votives, help to play off the punched, tin server used for the pastry.





The gold flatware adds a little glitz to the table. I can't see saving them, to use only for the holidays. Then I dressed down the table setting a little by using my cabbage leaf placemats, which I use every day somehow in our kitchen.





I serve coffee and tea, so I always try to have something that the women can put their used teabags on, this little berry dish works well.



Just another look at the table from the other side.







GERMAN POUND CAKE: (Basic recipe)




2 C. sugar


2 1/2 C. flour


2 tsp. baking powder


1/2 lb. butter (softened)


4 eggs.


1/2 C. milk
pinch of salt




Combine all ingredients, beat for 10 minutes at high speed of mixer, scraping bowl with spatula once or twice.




After batter is mixed, chocolate chips, blueberries etc. can be added to mixture if desired.


Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour, or until cake rises back up when tested.




COFFEE CAKE VERSION:




Using a bunt pan, spray with Pam w/flour for baking. line top with pecan halves, set aside




FILLING:




1 C. flour


1 C. brown sugar


1 stick butter


1/2 C. chopped Pecans


1 Tbs. orange extract




Cut butter into flour and sugar, add Pecans and extract. Use half of the mixture over the top of the pecan halves, then pour half of the cake batter over the topping, then the rest of the filling, and then the rest of the cake batter.




Bake the same as above. When finished cool well, then slide the knife around the bunt pan and the cake should slide out easily. This may sound complicated, but it is very, very easy.




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ALMOND BISCOTTI






2 C. flour ------------------------------1/2 C. butter


2 tsp. baking powder------------------ 1 C. sugar


dash salt ------------------------------3 eggs


1/2 C. chopped almonds---------------1 tsp. anise extract


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2 tsp. milk for brushing top of dough, plus 1/4 C. sugar


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Combine dry ingredients and set aside........ In a mixing bowl, cream butter, 1 (one) cup of the sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in extract. Add dry ingredients and almonds to creamed mixture.




Line a baking sheet with foil and grease foil. Divide dough in half, spread into two 12 x 3 in. rectangles on foil. (DOUGH WILL BE VERY STICKY I USE A BUTTER KNIFE TO SPREAD) Brush with milk and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 C. sugar. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and reduce heat to 300 degrees. Lift rectangles with foil onto wire rack; cool 15 minutes. Place on a cutting board; slice diagonally 1/2 inch thick. Place slices with cut side down on ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Turn cookies over; bake 10 more min.. Turn oven off, leaving cookies in oven with door ajar to cool. After cookies are cooked, melt any chocolate you have on hand and coat bottoms of the Biscotti. Place on foil in the refrigerator until chocolate hardens. Store in airtight container.








Make sure you visit Susan at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/ for more beautiful TABLESCAPES and Gollum at http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/ for FOODIE FRIDAY goodies.






14 comments:

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

I love getting to see everyone's tablescapes each week. I love your new dishes. And I love your placemats. The best thing about Tablescape Thursdays is that we get the opportunity to bring out the crystal, china, fancy silverware, etc. Or show off everyday dishes in a new way. I love this!!

Blondie's Journal said...

D,

I love seeing these two events combined, my love for pretty dishes and for food, especially sweets!

I just love red and white dishes, and the pink and white too. They are interchangable, no? I try to pick up bits and pieces here and there and maybe someday I will have a complete set! Your tablescape is very pretty and I am sure all of the ladies were pleased.

I believe I will try the coffee cake recipe. My husband loves that in the morning and it will be a nice surprise because I try not to bake, it's calorie free!

Thank you so much, D!

xoxo
Jane

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

So pretty - I know those ladies enjoyed sitting at this pretty table - and eating your lucious cake! ummmmm!

bj said...

ummm, your recipes sound out of this world...your table settings look devine and I love the Waverly fabric you used for chair pads and table runner. At one time, I had drapes in the same fabric...I made pillows with the material once I tired of the drapes....

Kammy said...

Hi !
What a beautiful table ! The dishes
are so pretty. The food looks yummy
and I am sure the ladies loved it too. Thanks a bunch for posting the recipes....always on the look out for recipes made by REAL people, lol !
Hugs ~! Kammy

imjacobsmom said...

Hi D, Your lucky you have an opportunity to use your pretty things. I bet the ladies were awestruck at your beautiful table and delish brunch. Thanks for the recipe! ~ Robyn

Joyce said...

I like to pull out the china and crystal too. My Mom always saved it but for who? I now have all my Mom's pretty dishes and I use them every single day. I am not saving them for later use:) Thanks for sharing the delicious recipes that you baked for your church group. I bet those ladies were happy the meeting was at your lovely home. Happy Mother's day.
Joyce

Foley said...

Beautiful Table - love the your dishes.. Great recipes..the German pound cake I will have to try!

Robin said...

Your tablescape is lovely. Your Churchill is so pretty and looks great with the plaid runner.

Thank you for the recipe.

Have a beautiful Mother's Day.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

I love how you used the lace under the cups that goes with the lace server. That was a great idea! Happy Mother's Day!

Rattlebridge Farm said...

Happy Mother's Day, dear "D." I love your Churchill dishes! The biscotti and German cake looks so good!!!!! I am so scared to make biscotti, but I'm going to try it!
Hugs,
G

imjacobsmom said...

Just dropping by to wish you a Happy Mother's Day! ~ Robyn

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Yeah D~ ~ ~I love your new dishes! I was waiting for you to post first since the whole idea was yours. See what blogging has done you really twisted my arm to purchase those dishes my friend. I love using such pretty dishes for everyday don't you?
Your cabbage leaf placemats are too much. Where did you ever get them? Thank goodness we don't live closer I think we'd be shopping buddies~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Beautiful china...love the red and white transferware! D...this table is really pretty and food looks amazing! I know this had to be the best Foodie Friday post for the week...maybe month! Thanks for the yummy recipes! Susan