Artichoke Spread from Donna Esposito

My mouth is watering thinking about this delicious dip from Historical League member, Donna Esposito. She is wearing our Centennial apron in celebration of Arizona's 100th birthday.

More great appetizer recipes are in Tastes & Treasures cookbook.

ARTICHOKE SPREAD

Ingredients:
2 (6.5 oz) jars Artichoke Hearts
1 cup Mayonnaise
8 oz Mozzarella Cheese
2 tsp Garlic Powder
16 oz Parmesan Cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350º.
Drain the artichoke hearts and then cut into small pieces. Combine all remaining ingredients together and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and heated through.
This is for a double recipe.

Breakfast Egg Bake

Breakfast is the best meal of the day. While visiting family in Minneapolis, we sampled some of the best cooking including this make-ahead dish. Great when you have company.

Also try Breakfast Casserole on page 195 in Tastes & Treasures cookbook for an easy, make-ahead start of the day.





Breakfast Egg Bake

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
1 cup sweet red pepper chopped
1/2 cup green onion chopped
1 3/4 cup fully cooked ham cubed
1 cup shredded mozarella cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
8 eggs
1/4 cup flour
1 3/4 cup milk
Salt and pepper

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spread shredded cheese on bottom of dish.
Saute red pepper and green onion in fry pan with olive oil until softened. Add cubed ham and saute for 1 minute. Spoon over cheese.
Beat eggs in bowl. Add milk, flour, salt and pepper to taste. Pour over cheese and vegies.
Cover and refrigerate over night.

Bake 350 degree oven for approx 35 minutes or until eggs are set. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Note - sliced mushrooms, broccoli, spinach are a nice addition to the vegetables also.

Easy Italian Pasta Sauce

Tastes & Treasures has a wonderful Tarragon Tomato Sauce on page 98 from Lon's at the Hermosa Inn. Made from scratch, it is savory and delicious.

When you don't have time to re-create the sauce from The Hermosa Inn, try the recipe below. It is fast and easy.



Ingredients:
1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1/2 cup chopped sweet yellow pepper
1 small onion chopped
1 clove garlic chopped
1 16 oz. can crushed tomatoes with basil leaves
1/2 cup fresh parsley chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
Parmesan cheese grated
Pasta - any kind you choose

Directions:
Saute red, yellow peppers, onion, garlic in olive oil.
Add crushed tomatoes, fresh parsley and simmer for 30 minutes.
Pour over cooked pasta
Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and savor the tastes.

Guidon Books sells Tastes & Treasures cookb

Arizona and Western history is the focus of Shelly Dudley's book store in Scottsdale. She has re-ordered Tastes & Treasures A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona many times as it continues to be a popular item. The Historical League had a booth next to her at Arizona History Convention at Pointe Tapatio in April. Donna Esposito, Ruth Ann Hogan assist Carolyn Mendoza with sales of both the cookbook and Arizona Recollections and Reflections, the Centennial Legacy Project book. Bruce Dinges, chair of the History Convention and author of AHS Journal of Arizona enjoys shopping in her booth.

Edamame and Hominy Salad

Margaret Baker brought the best salad to our League meeting and graciously shared it. An Arizona native, she is excited to celebrate Arizona's Centennial and helped edit on our Legacy Project book, Arizona Recollections and Reflections with Pat Faur.

EDAMAME & HOMINY SALAD
Ingredients for Salad:
10 oz. fresh or frozen shelled edamame beans (soybeans)

1 15 oz. can yellow hominy, drained (I prefer Bush brand)

1 15 oz. can white hominy, drained (I prefer Bush brand)

I small red bell pepper
diced
1 small onion, diced (I prefer green onions; milder)
1 fresh jalapeno pepper, diced (or to taste)

¼ cup cilantro, chopped

Ingredients for Dressing:
½ cup seasoned rice wine vinegar
¼ cup fresh lime juice

¼ cup vegetable oil

½ tsp. Pico de Gallo seasoning (or chile powder)

½ tsp. cumin

2 tsp. chipotle salsa (most grocery stores have this)

Salt and pepper to taste (may not need salt)

Directions: 

Mix salad ingredients together. In a separate bowl thoroughly combine dressing ingredients. Pour dressing over salad and mix thoroughly. Chill at least 4 hours.

Serves 6 to 8.

Notes: This is very different, spicy, and keeps exceptionally well for days, in the refrigerator.

Double Chocolate Red Beet Cake

Who says red beets and sour cream don’t belong in a Double Chocolate Cake? Try this very moist and decadent treat.






Double Chocolate Red Beet Cake
Ingredients
2 large beets
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 2/3 cups sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream
2/3 cup cocoa powder
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
4-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup cocoa powder
4 to 6 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions for cake:
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Generously spray two 9-inch cake pans with non stick cooking spray and then line with circles of parchment paper. Place on the baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Cut up beets into quarters and place in a small oven proof pan with about 1/2 cup water. Roast until tender, about 45 minutes. Cool, peel and puree to make 2/3 cup. Set aside. Lower oven temperature to 350 degrees.

In a mixer bowl, cream the butter and sugar until well blended. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well. Add sour cream and mix well. Add beet puree. Stir together cocoa, flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt, then fold into wet mixture.

Spoon batter into prepared cake pans and bake until done, so cakes spring back when lightly touched, 35-40 minutes. Cool cakes well and then turn out onto cake racks to completely cool.

Directions for Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting:
Blend cream cheese, butter, cocoa, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla together in a mixer. Add a touch of water if necessary to achieve a smooth frosting consistency. Frost cake layers and chill cake for 30 minutes.

Makes 10 to 12 servings.

Volunteers make Successful History Convention

What would we do without our fabulous volunteers? The Historical League set up a booth to sell Tastes & Treasures cookbook and our Centennial Legacy Project book, Arizona Recollections and Reflections, at the Pointe Tapatio for the History Convention.

Thanks to volunteers Carolyn Mendoza, Donna Esposito, Ruth Ann Hogan, Mariamne Moore, Norma Jean Coulter, Pat Faur, Mary Parker, Leslie Christiansen, Ruth McLeod and Zona Lorig for a great job.

Over $1000 in sales was encouraging, but mingling with the official State Historian Marshall Tremble, Historymaker Elisabeth Ruffner, author Frank Barrios, AHS State Director Ann Woosley, AHS Museum Director Kyle McKoy and so many more who promote the history of this great State was even better. The sessions over the three days were most informative.

Although the State has put very little money into the Centennial Celebration, this History Convention shows that Arizona's Centennial is being celebrated all year.