BANANA BREAD WITH LEMON ZEST AND SWISS CHEESE SPREAD....NEW RECIPES FOR THE SUMMER SEASON

I used to clip and save recipes that sounded intriguing
from the newspapers wherever we were living at the time.
Of course, with the change we have seen with
social media, I love finding vintage newspaper recipes
on Pinterest and I have two prize winning ones for you today.

 

I have tried so many Banana Bread recipes over the years and they all
taste different....this recipe uses LEMON ZEST and I think it 
made all the difference in the world....just marvelous!
Now isn't this a beautiful loaf of freshly baked banana bread?

This is perfect for a mid-afternoon snack or a breakfast delight...
serve warm with butter.....

2 1/4 cups sugar

12 tablespoons butter

3 eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Zest of 1 lemon, grated

4 bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup sour cream

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

The Process:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl, cream sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time. Beat well. Add vanilla extract, lemon zest and bananas; mix well.

In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add sifted ingredients alternately with sour cream to the sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition. Blend in chopped nuts. Butter and sugar two loaf pans. Divide batter between them. Bake in oven 30 to 40 minutes or until tester inserted in center comes out clean. Cool slightly in pans; turn out on racks to cool.

Makes 2 loaves.

This cheese spread is perfect to serve when you
need an appetizer side....

Now, this easy and delicious spread is perfect for a cool summer appetizer
or even a light lunch....on the menu for a summer party with family....

One block of swiss cheese, grated
one or two fresh scallions, chopped
two fresh Roma tomatoes, chopped
Pepper to taste
Mayonnaise to your preference...

Mix well and chill....serve with crackers

I love to serve this with whole wheat Club or Ritz crackers.....
So, so good on a hot summer day....enjoy!

THREE NEW RECIPES TO TRY

This year, I vowed to try new things....mainly in the kitchen!

I love trying recipes that I have never made and
you never know when you may find a new favorite!
All three of these were winners here at Estelle's...
so let's take a look at what we taste tested....

 

My friend, Mary Ellen told me about this brand of mix
and said her family loved these potato pancakes.
These are favorites in various cultures and apparently
can be found in European markets which can be served
sweet or savory.

They were easy to prepare and are tender on the inside and 
crispy on the outside....I served mine with a dollop of sour cream
and warm applesauce on the side
The mix can be found on Amazon.

An Austin Chef recommended making these apple pie puff pastries
and they were delicious...easy to prepare too!
    You will need
1 puff pastry sheet, cut into nine equal squares
one can of apple pie filling
sugar and cinnamon

Prepare muffin tin with cooking spray
place each puff pastry square into muffin tin cups
Spoon two apples into each cup
Sprinkle very generously with sugar and cinnamon
Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes

This recipe was a real hit!
This is Dolly Parton's Cinnamon Bread
I used one loaf of Rhode's frozen bread
Melt 1/4 cup butter in loaf pan and place frozen bread on top
Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar
Once risen, bake at 350 for 30 minutes

Mix 4 ounces of cream cheese with powdered sugar
and spread on top of warm bread loaf

Hope you will enjoy these recipes and try something new!

BANANA NUT MUFFINS

 GOOD MORNING LOVES.....
Who is in the mood for a good bakery style muffin?
It's a lovely way to start your day as you sip
on that lovely first cup of coffee in the morning
and you smell that lovely aroma of banana bread baking....

I am featuring the Dolly brand of muffin mix today
as I have been impressed with Dolly Parton's brand of
baking mixes of which I have tried quite a few.....

So if you are in the mood for banana bread but find yourself
without the bananas...I highly recommend this,,,,

And, just know, this uses a whole stick of butter...
yes mama....therefore, you know they're gonna be good

Now, while our days are becoming warmer...

who is planning their Spring and Easter look?

I have always decorated for Easter and learned so much

from Mother....my color scheme will look much like the photo

and I do look forward to this....

Y'all take good care until next time....

A COZY FALL COFFEE AND COOKBOOK WHIMSY

HELLO LOVES....
The month of October is just the most wonderful
time of the entire year...wish it could last forever.....
I think you will enjoy this post today as I am sharing
a sweet idea for a decorative dough bowl,
a delightful fall coffee drink and a whimsical little cookbook! 

This was so much fun to create....
I wanted a soft, but richly textured look
for my wooden dough bowl this year.....
and used a plethora of decor items to create this look....

We have a gingham napkin, a wooden acorn, velvet
mushrooms and pumpkins, a knitted pumpkin along with a metallic acorn and
 rustic indian corn....a few fall florals were added on the side...I love it!

How absolutely darling this is...
a whimsical and enchanting experience with
seasonal flavors and magical touches...
Beginning with finger sandwiches such as
cucumber and dill cream cheese,
smoked salmon with herb butter or small
savories as in mini quiches...
Beverages include spiced cider or
cinnamon chai tea
There are decorating ideas which enhance a fairy theme
in which you could decorate the table with woodland elements
like pinecones, acorns and fairy lights....

Here's a cozy coffee recipe for those cold and rainy fall afternoons....

This coffee will warm you all the way to your toes....

Say. ahhhhhh

3 1/2 Tablespoons of Cappuccino mix in 12 ounces of hot water.....
Top with Cold Foam and sprinkle with Maple Brown Finishing Sugar

Autumn is the season for cozy throws and warm mugs

OCTOBER HAS ARRIVED...LET'S MAKE IT FABULOUS

 
Good Morning Kindred autumn lovers....
Tis the season of COZY...
The most beautiful month of the year is here
and so we need to get our plans in order....
plans for pumpkins, Halloween and the beautiful
holidays are in our future.....

I wish I could say that the weather has changed,
and it really has...just a tad....
I did notice yesterday, that the leaves are beginning to fall
and what a pleasant feeling that brings to my heart...

I  added a few fall touches to Mother's buffet and it 
looks so warm and cozy....

I love this little Johnson and Brothers pattern

Time to display the turkeys

Comfort food from Estelle's kitchen.....

I tried the Libby's Pumpkin BREAD recipe and it's a winner...

A really loved this recipe....what a beautiful bread for fall....

We recently renewed our membership to Costco
so I was finally able to try the infamous Chicken Pot Pie.....
just look how beautiful and large this decadent pie is....

The cost is around 

$20.00..it is quite large so this can feed a large family...
it is chocked full of vegetables, roasted chicken and gravy...
absolutely delicious....I very much recommend it!!!

    HERE IS OUR ADORABLE LITTLE LUCY....
she's the darling of the family...

Over in Atlanta....

Our Luke the Duke has a full schedule these days....
His junior year in high school, working at Publix,
weekly track training and oh yes...the love of his girlfriend...

Homecoming 2025...an evening to dance the night away...

TIME FOR SOUP AND CORNBREAD

Aa the temperature drops and the nights continue
to grow longer, let's wrap ourselves in the aromas
of a comforting winter meal.....



Looking out from the library of the Maine House....

There is something romantic and peaceful about the glow
of candlelight.....

Enjoy the the recipes from Estelle's kitchen.....
it's all about family favorites



Here's a little clip of the boys in Denver.....
it was minus 7 degrees and the Air B&B had no heat...

Today's post is all about an easy but delicious
soup night, ending with a pudding pie.....

This is one of the best soups I have ever made..perfect for a cold night...
the boys ate two servings..it was that good!

ROASTED TOMATO BEAN AND SAUSAGE SOUP

2 cans (14.5 oz each) fire roasted tomatoes

- 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

- 1 can (15 oz) Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed

- 1 large yellow onion, diced

- 2 stalks celery, chopped

- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped

- 3 cloves garlic, minced

- 4 cups vegetable broth
Smoked Sausage

- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Garlic Powder and Onion Powder to taste

- 2 bay leaves

- 1 handful of fresh spinach leaves, optional

- Fresh basil for garnish, optional

1. In the basin of your slow cooker, combine the fire roasted tomatoes, both types of white beans, onion, celery, carrots, and garlic.

2. Pour in the vegetable broth and stir to incorporate.

3. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Give it another gentle stir to distribute the spices.

4. Tuck the bay leaves into the mixture, making sure they’re submerged so they can impart their flavor.

5. Set your slow cooker to low and let the soup cook for 7-8 hours, or switch it to high for a quicker cooking time of about 3-4 hours.

6. Before serving, remove the bay leaves and give the soup a good stir. If you’re using spinach, stir it in now and allow it to wilt in the hot soup for a few minutes.

NOTE; I added the smoked sausage as the boys love it! Adds great flavor too!

And yes, you can bake some delicious cornbread and add
some spice with jalapeño's!!

We ended the heartwarming meal with a chocolate pudding pie...



Just purchase a shortbread prepared pie crust..
pour in some warm cook and serve chocolate pudding
and top with sweetened whipped cream....

It's all about comfort at the table.....

Provide your family a warm space for the heart.....

as you entertain and celebrate the seasons.....

Who's ready for Spring?

RASPBERRY SCONES WITH ORANGE CURD..A SPOT OF AFTERNOON TEA

Happy Valentine's Day to you and those you love!
Today's post is a tribute to springtime party ideas..
fabulous florals and table setting...

A flowering touch...
blush toned blooms and white linen

Gilded elegance...
an afternoon tea is a perfect excuse to use your best china
and heirloom silver...
set the mood with a serene tone in mind

Worthy of being served in the finest tea rooms..
a warm glazed raspberry scone

What pairs perfectly with this scone?
Orange Curd and crème fraîche......

Now I would say this is a lovely way to impress the guests
at your next gathering of book club....

We served peach tea this particular afternoon with a tiny pitcher
of sweet cream...

Afternoon tea is what I would categorize as leisure comforts...

If you and your guests are made to feel comfortable,

you are more likely to linger longer and enjoy the day...
it's all about setting the scene and serving good food..
it can play a major role as a lovely backdrop for southern hospitality!