Doris Cardenas

Florence's Cupcakes - A Quick Snack for the Kids

Florence's Quick Cupcakes

2 cups Bisquick
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg
2/3 cup milk

Add to this mixture cornflakes, raisins, nuts or blueberries.

Bake in muffin pan at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

A quick snack for hungry children!

Florence Petrucelli Marino's Meatballs

These meatballs should be added to essential gravy for a nice spaghetti and meatball dinner.

1 pound hamburger
1 egg
1 cup breadcrumbs
onions, parmesan cheese, chopped garlic and parsley
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup water

Mix all ingredients with salt and pepper to taste. Shape into 1 inch balls then drop into Essential Gravy about 1/2 hour before serving.

Biscotti from the Old Country

Biscotti Cookies

3tablespoons flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon (1 oz) anise extract
3 tablespoons anise seeds
1/2 cup chopped roasted almonds
small can of evaporated milk to brush on before baking

Cream butter, sugar, eggs, anise extract and anise seeds. Add flour, baking powder and almonds. Cover and chill for 5 to 6 hours.

Roll out 5 or 6 logs and oil cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Cool. Then slice diagonally and bake again until browned.

Kevin's Favorite... Chicken with a Russian Accent (Chicken Kiev)

Chicken Kiev (created in Russia for the high living czars. Boned, skinned and pounded thin then wrapped around pats of seasoned frozen butter)

This recipe appeared in McCall's magazine in 1960, a year after Kevin was born. It became one of his favorite dishes.

1 cup butter
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons tarragon
1 clove garlic
6 whole chicken breasts (halved)
3/4 cup flour
3 eggs well beaten
1 1/2 cups bread crumbs

Bring butter to room temperature and add chopped tarragon, parsley, garlic and salt and pepper. Shape into 6 inch squres and freeze until firm. (40 minutes).

Flatten chicken breast to 1/4 inch, cut butter into 12 pats and put in center of chicken. Fold chicken around and secure with toothpick. Roll in flour, dip in eggs and roll in breadcrumbs. Shape into triangles and chill for about an hour.

Heat 3 inches of vegetable oil and add chicken 3 at a time. Fry for 5 minutes. Drain and keep warm in 200 degree oven in pan lined with paper towel.

Auntie Evie's Veal Picatta

Veal Picatta

2 fillet of veal or chicken pounded thin
1 tablespoon flour and 3 tablespoons butter to make a roux
1 tablespoon oil
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup white wine
juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley

Lightly coat fillets with flour and salt and pepper. Saute in melted butter/oil for 2 minutes on each side.

Remove veal to platter and stir chicken broth and wine. Boil briskly stirring constantly. Add lemon juice. Remove pan from heat and swirl in butter. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Anisette Liqueur

Anisette Liqueur

A lovely way to end the dinner and keep the conversation flowing!

4 cups water
4 cups sugar
1/2 to 1 oz Anise extract (to taste)
3 to 4 cups Vodka

Boil water and sugar until sugar dissolves. Cool.

Add 3 to 4 cups cheap vodka until it becomes clear. Pour into wine bottles.

Also a nice digestif to help an upset stomach.