Friday, March 09, 2007

Dinette Cake with Penuche Icing

Betty Crockers Dinner for Two Cookbook

1 1/2 cups cake flour
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup soft shortening
2/3 cup milk
1 tsp. flavoring
1 egg

Heat oven to 350º. Measure flour by dipping method or by sifting. Stir the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together. Add shortening, milk, and flavoring. Beat 2 min. medium speed on mixer or 300 strokes by hand. Add egg. Beat 2 more min. Pour into greased and floured square pan, 9 x 9 x 1 3/4". Bake 30 to 35 min., until toothpick stuck into center comes out clean.

Easy Penuche Icing

1/3 cup butter
2/3 cup brown sugar (packed)
3 tbsp. milk
1 to 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Melt butter in saucepan. Stir in brown sugar. Boil and stir over lower heat 2 min. Stir in milk. Bring to boil, stirring constantly. Cool to lukewarm (120º). Gradually stir in confectioners' sugar. Place pan in ice water and stir until thick enough to spread. Makes enough icing for 9" square cake.

Pork Tenderloin with Tropical Couscous

From Dining for Two

1/2 lbs. pork tenderloins
1 large garlic minced
1 1/2 tsp. ginger, fresh peeled and minced
1/2 tsp. salt plus 1/8 tsp.
3/4 cups orange juice
1 scallions thinly sliced
1/2 cup couscous minced
1 1/2 tsp. olive oil

Cut the pork crosswise into 8 slices. Mash the garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of the ginger and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt in a small dish until a paste forms. Rub the mixture into both sides of the pork slices; set aside for 5 mintes.

Meanwhile, to make the couscous bring 3/4 cup of the juice, the ginger and salt to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir in the couscous and cover; remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons juice and the scallion.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large nontick skillet over medium-high heat. Place the pork in the skillet in one layer. Cook until browned on the outside and the pork has lost its pink color throughout, about 2 mintues on each side. Transfer the pork to a platter and serve with the coucous.

Serves 2 people

Blog Archive