Halloween Witch for Oct League meeting

Display makes such a difference in enhancing food presentation. Pam Stevenson brought these yummy cupcakes for the buffet with the Halloween witch watching over them. Thanks to the Historical League Hospitality committee for creating such lovely food tables each month.

Pam created the Historymakers video that premiered at the Historymakers Gala in February. This video compliments the Centennial book, Arizona Recollections and Reflections An Arizona Historymakers Centennial Commemoration available at www.HistoricalLeague.org.

Peanut & Banana Cupcakes

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1-1/4 cups mashed ripe bananas (2-3 medium)

1/4 cup buttermilk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups cake flour

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped lightly salted dry roasted peanuts

FROSTING:

2 cups confectioners' sugar

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 to 4 tablespoons 2% milk

1 cup chopped lightly salted dry roasted peanuts

Directions

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the bananas, buttermilk and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with banana mixture, mixing well after each addition. Stir in peanuts.

Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

In a large bowl, beat the confectioners sugar, peanut butter and butter until fluffy. Beat in vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency. Spread frosting over cupcakes. Sprinkle with peanuts. Store in the refrigerator.

Yield: 2 dozen cupcakes

Crostini with Brie, Cranberry and Pistachios

One of the most popular appetizers served at the Membership Open House on Oct 20 was this delightful Crostini. Leslie Christiansen has shown her culinary talents before and we were thrilled to have her in this historic kitchen again for the event. Renee Donnelly and Bonnie Newhoff help out with the preparation. Note the Veggies on the counter, ready to be presented also.

The Historical League has written two books in the last few years. Tastes & Treasures A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona is filled with great

recipes like this one.

Our AZ Centennial book, Recollections and Reflections An Arizona Historymakers Centennial Commemoration is an official Legacy Project. Both books were available at the Open House.

CROSTINI WITH BRIE, CRANBERRY & PISTACHIOS

Ingredients:

8 oz brie, at room temperature

½ cup dried cranberries, chopped

½ cup pistachios, chopped

1 baguette French bread

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Method:

1. Preheat oven to broil. Move oven rack near the top.
2. Slice bread about 3/8-inch thick, about 24 slices. Place bread on a sheet pan and lightly drizzle with olive oil.
3. Lightly toast one side of the bread, about 3-4 minutes. Allow to cool.
4. Using a butter-knife spread a thin layer of the brie on the toasted side. Sprinkle with the chopped cranberries and pistachios.

Serves 12 as an appetizer

Open House very successful

Touring the Craftsman-style Hearn Home on Northern Ave in Phoenix was amazing. And everyone enjoyed the wonderful food and drinks, listening to the many speakers and just visiting with Historical League members and guests.

Loved the "before" and "after" photos of the extensive remodel.

We all enjoyed guest speaker Reba Wells-Grandrud talk of Sunnyslope community history. She has authored and co-authored several books

including assisting on the new AZ Centennial book Recollections and Reflections An Arizona Historymakers Centennial Commemoration. This book is an official AZ Centennial Legacy Project. Reba has been very involved in the Sunnyslope Historical Society as well as Arizona Historical Society, is a "CultureKeeper" as well as a long-time Historical League member.

RAINBOW VEGGIE SHOTS WITH BLUE CHEESE DRESSING

This delightful display of veggies was impressive.

Vegetables:

50 Carrot sticks

50 Red Pepper sticks

50 Yellow Pepper sticks

50 Celery sticks

50 Jicama sticks

50 English Cucumber sticks

Method:

1. Wash vegetables. Peel carrots and jicama.
2. Cut the vegetables in 5-6-inch lengths, about the width of your baby finger. Please leave the leaves on the celery ends. The vegetables should be slightly different lengths.
3. Keep the vegetables chilled in zip-top bags. They can be cut a day ahead.

Dressing Ingredients:

½ cup Blue Cheese

3 T buttermilk

3 T sour cream (low-fat is OK, but don’t use non-fat)

2 T mayonnaise

2 T white wine vinegar

1 clove garlic, finely minced or micro-planed

1 t sugar

2 T parsley, chopped

S&P to taste

Method:

1. In a medium sized bowl mash blue cheese with a potato masher or fork until it resembles cottage cheese.
2. Add remaining ingredients and stir until blended.
3. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
5. The dressing can be kept covered in the refrigerator for several days.

Makes about 1 cup

Clay Thompson's Centennial Game

Clay Thompson's blog 10-14-11

Now, here's the deal. I have at hand a handsome, leather-bound copy of “Arizona Recollections and Reflections” published by the Historical League, an arm of the Arizona Historical Society.

Clay Thompson's Blog on 10-21-11

Historic Home to host Membership Open House

The Craftsman-style Hearn Home on W. Northern is the venue for the 2011 Historical League Membership Open House. Guest Speaker and former Director of AHS Museum at Papago Park, Reba Wells Grandrud, is very knowledgeable about the Sunnyslope area and will tell us

more about the home. We are excited to tour the fully restored

homeand learn all about the challenges and successes of the project complete with

"before and after" photos.

Tastes & Treasures cookbook will be for sale along with Arizona Recollections and Reflections An Arizona Centennial

Historymakers Commemoration, Centennial aprons, hats and visors. Several of the foods served are from the cookbook.

Thanks to co-chairs President Elect Pam Ryan and Leslie Christiansen for organizing a lovely afternoon on Thursday, Oct 20.
For more information contact Pam at pardir@cox.net or Leslie at wackomama4@gmail.com

Clay Thompson's Blog about the Commemorative Book

Read Clay Thompson's blog about the Commemorative book.

Arizona Historical Photographs Fair

Today, visit Arizona Historical Society at Papago Park for the annual Photographs Fair, 11 am - 3 pm.