Historic Baked Alaska served at Historical League Recognition Luncheon

Baked Alaska is a fascinating dessert with an interesting history.

The dish is made of ice cream placed in a pie dish lined with slices of sponge cake or Christmas pudding and topped with meringue. The entire dessert is then placed in an extremely hot oven for a brief time, long enough to firm the meringue. The meringue is an effective insulator, and the short cooking time prevents the heat from getting through to the ice cream.
The name "Baked Alaska" was coined at Delmonico's Restaurant by their chef-de-cuisine Charles Ranhofer in 1876 to honor the recently acquired American territory.

Baked Alaska

Ingredients:
6 tablespoons sugar
3 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled
3 large egg whites, room temperature
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 pints pistachio ice cream, slightly softened
1 1/2 pints cherry ice cream or berry sorbet, slightly softened
Swiss Meringue
Vegetable-oil cooking spray

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper, and spray with cooking spray.


Combine 3 tablespoons sugar and the egg yolks in bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; whisk, on medium speed, until pale yellow and thick, about 15 minutes.

Add vanilla, and fold in melted chocolate just to combine.
In a medium bowl, combine egg whites and pinch of salt in bowl of electric mixer; whip, on medium speed, until frothy. Add remaining 3 tablespoons sugar; beat until stiff. Fold egg whites into the chocolate mixture.


Carefully pour batter out into prepared cake pan. Bake until cake is set and top is dull, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven, and let cool on a wire rack.


Spray a 5-cup-capacity metal bowl with cooking spray; line with plastic. Pack base of bowl with pistachio ice cream; layer cherry ice cream over pistachio, then finish with another layer of pistachio ice cream (or layer ice creams and sorbets as you desire). Pack firmly, cover surface with plastic wrap, and place in freezer. Freeze until ice cream is very hard, at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours in advance.


Place cake on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Remove ice cream from the freezer, and invert bowl over cake. Keep the ice cream covered with plastic wrap, and return ice-cream cake to the freezer.


Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Fill a pastry bag, fitted with an Ateco #5 star tip, with meringue; pipe onto ice cream in a decorative fashion, or spoon meringue over ice cream and swirl with a rubber spatula. If ice cream starts to soften, return cake to freezer for 15 minutes.
 Place in oven, and bake until meringue just starts to brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from oven, and serve immediately.



Thanks to Martha Steward for this recipe.

Medal of Honor Exhibit opens at AHS Museum

Circa 1870 Medal given to Private Chicquito Indain Scout

Between 1862 and 1889, some 157 US Army officers and enlisted men serving in today's Arizona, received the nation's highest military decoration for valor. Since that time, these Medal of Honor recipients, including eleven Apache scouts, would be joined by four of Arizona's other native sons. The story of bravery under fire now will be told in this exciting new exhibit.

Jim and Jeannine Moyle visit with Margaret Baker

The ribbon cutting of "Above and Beyond: Arizona and the Medal of Honor" opening was attended by family and friends who were impressed with the artifacts, video, photos and more.

Official photographer League member Betsy Davis

Roll of Honor wall

Colonel J.R.Vargas USMC

Recognition Luncheon Decor

Thanks to Nancy Evans who always knows how to glorify a table with flowers. These Gloxina were so lovely on all the tables at Phoenix Country Club for the Historical League Recognition Luncheon.

Susie Brinegar entertains us playing the grand piano at Springerville Museum

What a thrill to see this grand piano come to life when Historical League member Susie Brinegar sat down to play her own version of "Wind Beneath My Wings." The Historical League tour was impressed with the Renee Cushman Gallery in the Springerville Heritage Center but a highlight was the haunting melody Susie created on the grand piano.

Note the 15' X 25' Persian rug is in mint condition because everyone wears "booties" over their shoes to protect the rug and the hardwood floors.

Recognition Luncheon honors members

Ann Lupica, Karen Swanson, Judy Blackwell, Margaret Baker, Jackie Berkowitz, Sharron McKinney, Linda Cathey

So many Historical League members volunteer so many hours each year. This is the time to honor and award those ladies while also welcoming the new 2014-2015 Executive Board and President Jackie Berkowitz. Phoenix Country Club was a beautiful venue.

Big Thank You to Arizona author Cobe Frobes

An Arizona history supporter, we are so glad to have Cobe Frobes sharing the history and stories in Tastes & Treasures cookbook. As the author of Streets of Forest Highlands, she appreciates a good read. She has sold over 70 cookbooks since March 15.

When asked how she does it, "It is a beautiful book and it sells itself. 
         I do explain that it is helping the Arizona Historical Society. People like that. Then I explain how you divided the state into three sections and selected historic restaurants from each section. I mention El Tovar at the Grand Canyon, Garlands in Sedona, The Camelback Inn, El Chorro's sticky buns, The Arizona Inn and the Copper Queen because I think those might be familiar to them. I tell them the history of the restaurants is included so it's a great book just to read and look at.
          Sometimes I mention that I am friends on facebook with Marshall Trimble and lately he has mentioned the cuts the government has made to the budget.
          (Many of these folks just winter down here from other places.) I like to show a couple [any] of the beautiful pictures because they are all wonderful. Sometimes I mention that a friend of mine once served a dinner party for the family of just salads with recipes that came out of this book. Then I tell them they make wonderful gifts. One friend has 3 daughters-in-law so she bought 4.
           Most of our parties are pot lucks + BYOB. They are at an age where they are not acquiring 'stuff '.  In fact they are trying to get rid of stuff...but they know a value when they see it."

Harvey Girls at Recognition Luncheon

Wanted - young women 18-30 years of age, of good moral character, attactive and intelligent, to waitress in Harvey Eating Houses on the Santa Fe rail line in the West. Wages, $17.50 per month, with room and board. Liberal tips customary. Experience not necessary. Write Fred Harvey, Union Depot, Kansas City, Missouri. This was the ad in 1870 in several East Coast newspapers. And the women came in droves!

Learning about the Fred Harvey and the Harvey Girls was a highlight at the Historical League Spring Luncheon. Guest speaker Ann-Mary Ludzick filled us in on the details and 6 "Harvey Girls" came from Winslow to show the beautiful china used at Harvey Houses. Thanks to Betsy Davis and Leslie Christiansen for organizing such a wonderful way to wrap up the year.

Rembrandt in Springerville Museum

Cindy Jordan explained the Rembrandt sketch

Who would have thought it??? Along with some other fabulous paintings, artwork, sculptures and momentos, Springerville Heritage Center is a wonderful place to browse and learn the history of the White Mountains. This was one stop on the Historical League three day tour of the area.

Cindy leads the Historical League tour through the museum.

Celebration of Life for Pam Ryan

An amazing lady, good friend, strong supporter of Arizona history and past President of the Historical League.  So many came to say goodbye, to remember and to honor her. She will be greatly missed.

Featured in an uplifting TGen video, this is only one photo of many.

Delores Tomasek and her sad salad

Sometimes a recipe sounds good and doesn't turn out at all. Delores Tomasek brought this pretty salad to the April Historical League meeting but wasn't happy with it. Her comments, "I had never made the salad that I brought before. I was not happy with it. I am throwing out the recipe, would not want to share it with others.
 Delores :)"

dinner at Molly Butler Lodge

The Historical League 3 day trip to the White Mountains was fabulous, including dinner at Molly Butlers. Lots of laughs and stories from the many members who enjoyed the trip.

Ruth McLeod, Susie Brinegar, Mary Garbaciak

37 Calorie Brownies

Who doesn't love chocolate? Tastes & Treasures cookbook has awesome recipes for brownies and chocolate, and I have tried them all. Perhaps this one should be in the book too.
I wanted to try this one since it was so different.

37 CALORIES BROWNIES
Ingredients:
3/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt (I used vanilla yogurt)
1/4 cup skim milk
1/2 cup Cocoa powder
1/2 cup Old fashioned rolled oats (like Quaker)
1/2 cup Truvia (or any natural/stevia based sweetener that pours like sugar)
1 egg
1/3 cup applesauce
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 pinch salt

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a square baking dish (I used 8"x8"). Combine all ingredients into a food processor or a blender, and blend until smooth (about 1 minute). Pour into the prepared dish and bake for about 15 minutes. Allow to cool completely before cutting into 9 large squares.

Arizona and the Medal of Honor - New exhibit at AHS, Tempe

May 18 – October 24 "Above and Beyond: Arizona and the Medal of Honor”

Between 1862 and 1889, some 157 United States Army officers and enlisted men serving in today’s Arizona received the nation’s highest military decoration for valor. Since that time, these Medal of Honor recipients, including eleven Apache scouts, would be joined by four of Arizona’s other native sons. The story of bravery under fire now will be told in this exciting new exhibit.

Exhibition included with general museum admission: $5.00; Ages 60+ and Ages 12-18: $4.00; Ages 11 and younger and all AHS members: Free. Regular Museum hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesdays – Saturdays; 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sundays. Closed Mondays and state holidays. Free parking at the museum.

AHS Museum at Papago Park, 1300 N. College Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281 Phone: 480-929-0292, ext. 180  Email: AHStempe@azhs.gov.

Delores Tomasek 7 Layer Salad

Who can resist this luscious salad? Easy to make, beautiful presentation and tastes so good! Thank you Delores for bringing this salad to the Historical League meeting.

Although this recipe is not in Tastes & Treasures cookbook, there are many more delicious recipes for salad found in the book.

Ingredients:
These can vary depending on what you like or have on hand.
1/2 lb. cooked crumpled bacon
1 head choppped lettuce 
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1 bag frozen peas 1 head chopped cauliflower
2 hard boiled eggs chopped

Dressing:
2 cups mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sugar 
1/2 cup sour cream or 1/2 cup yogurt
1 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt (adjust to taste)

Directions:
Layer ingredients in a large flat bowl.  Spread mayonnaise over the top to seal edges. Sprinkle with sugar.  

You can vary the salad by substituting green onions for red, jack cheese for the Cheddar, add chopped broccoli, chopped celery, chopped cucumbers, etc.
Option: top with 1/2 cup shredded cheese.

 

Oscars at Historymakers Wrap Up Party

Jeannine Moyle and Mary Parker did an outstanding job as chairs of the Historymakers Gala. The Wrap Up Party at the home of Gail Lucky was no exception. Cleverly crafted "Oscars" were awarded to their committees.

The Historical League is grateful for all the work they did on the Historymakers Gala creating such a successful event and honoring wonderful Arizonans.

Jeannine and Mary were presented with framed portraits of the Historymakers.