Lemony Tuna and White Bean Antipasto Salad

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Two 6-oz. can olive oil-packed tuna, drained and broken into large chunks (use Italian or Spanish variety if possible)
One 19-oz can of cannellini bean, drained and rinsed (about 1 1/2 cups)
24 pitted Calamata olives, coarsely chopped
2 cups thickly sliced celery hearts and leaves
2 tablespoon capers, drained
2 heaping tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon minced garlic
freshly ground pepper
2 roasted red peppers from a jar
Kosher salt
4 lemon slices for garnish

Pour lemon juice into a large bowl and slowly whisk in 1/4 cup plus 2 T olive oil (can also do this in a food processor). Add tuna, beans, olives, celery, capers, parsley, lemon zest and garlic. Toss gently. Season with ground pepper, cover and set aside.

Halve the roasted red peppers lengthwise and arrange on places, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt. Spoon tuna salad over the peppers and drizzle with more olive oil. Garnish with lemon slices and serve. Serves 4 as salad or 2 as a main course.

Serve with crusty French bread and white wine.

Martha

Pavlova

Pavlova:
4 egg whites
1 1/4 cup superfine sugar (caster sugar)
1 teaspoon white vinegar
2 teaspoon corn starch (corn flour)

Place egg whites in a clean bowl and mix with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form (when you turn the bowl upside-down, the egg should remain in the bowl). On low speed, gradually mix in the sugar, then return to high speed and mix for 2 minutes until firm and glossy. Then fold in the vinegar and corn starch. On a lined baking pan, pile the meringue into a circle making the center slightly domed. Place in the center rack of an oven pre-heated to 375°F and cook for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to 300°F and cook for 1 hour and 20 minutes. The pavlova should be crisp and white. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Topping:
2 cups whipping cream
4 teaspoon confectioners sugar
2 kiwi fruits, peeled and sliced
1 pint of strawberries, trimmed and halved
Any of the following: passion fruits, blueberries

Whip cream with sugar until it holds firm peaks. Remove pavlova from the baking pan and place on serving plate. Spread whipped cream over the top of the pavlova and decorate it with the fruit. Optional: sprinkle with grated chocolate. Serve.

Laura

Champagne Punch

Use a large punch bowl with an ice ring.

Pour 2 bottles of champagne and 1 quart of soda water into a bowl. Add 1 cup of peach brandy. If a more distinct peach flavor is desired, add frozen peaches.

Replenish with champagne, soda, and brandy as needed.

Goppie

Gulya's Suppé

1/4 pound butter
3 garlic cloves, crushed
2 pound round steak, cubed
3 beef bouillon cubes
crushed red pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon salt pork
boiled potatoes, cubed
1 cup chopped onion
2 Tablespoon Hungarian paprika
2 cups water
black pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon marjoram
1/2 teaspoon caraway seed

Sauté the onion and garlic in the butter until golden. Remove the skillet from the fire and stir in the paprika, return skillet to the fire, add the meat, and brown thoroughly, stirring constantly.

Add remaining ingredients, placing salt pork on top. Cover and simmer for 1 1/2 hours. If the soup is a little thin, thicken with Wondra flour or cornstarch.

Place a spoonful of cubed potatoes in each soup plate. Add soup and serve.

Granduddie

Black Magic Cake

1¾ cups flour
2 cups sugar
3/4 Hershey cocoa
2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup strong black coffee
1 cup buttermilk or sour milk
1/2 vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Add eggs, coffee, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat at medium speed with a hand mixer for 1 minute. Batter will be thin. Pour into greased and floured 13x9x2 pan or two 9" cake pans. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes for oblong pan or 30-35 minutes for cake pans.

Jackie & Jason

Lemon Bread

1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup milk
1 lemon, juice and rind
1/2 cup sugar

Cream shortening and sugar, add eggs, mix well. Sift flour, salt, and baking powder. Add dry mixture to creamed mixture, alternating with milk. Grate lemon rind, add, mixing well. Bake in greased loaf pan, 45-55 minutes at 350°. Mix lemon juice and sugar as soon as bread comes out of oven. Pour over hot bread. Leave in pan until cool.

Martha

Glazed Carrots & Parsnips

1 cup canned chicken broth
3 Tablespoons butter
1 1/2 Tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pound carrots, cut into sticks (about 2 cups)
1 pound parsnips, peeled and cut into sticks (about 2 cups)
2 Tablespoons minced fresh parsley

In a large saucepan, combine the broth, butter, brown sugar, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil. Add the carrots and cover. Cook over moderately high heat for 1 minute. Add parsnips and cook, covered, for 4-5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. With a slotted spoon, transfer the vegetables to a bowl and cover, keeping them warm. Boil the cooking liquid until it is reduced to about 1/3 cup and pour it over the vegetables. Add parsley, and salt and pepper to taste and toss the mixture gently. Serves 4.

Laura

Jan's Coffee Cake

Jan Freebersyser was a dear family friend who, with her husband, introduced Gus and Paula. This recipe is always a crowd pleaser.

1/2 cup butter + 2 Tablespoons
3/4 cup sugar + 1/2 cup
one egg
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cream 1/2 cup butter and 3/4 cup sugar. Add beaten egg. Sift flour, salt, and baking powder together. Mix buttermilk with baking soda. Add to creamed mixture alternating with flour mixture. Place batter in two greased cake pans. Mix remaining sugar with cinnamon and sprinkle over top of cakes.

Bake at 375° for 30 minutes. Melt remaining butter and pour over top of cakes when they are finished baking. Serve warm.

Laura