God Didn't Promise. . .

God didn't promise days without pain,
laughter without sorrow,
or sun without rain.
He did promise strength for the day,
comfort for the tears,
and light for the way.
If God brings you to it,
He will bring you through it. ~ Unknown

Irish Tea Cakes

♣ Irish ♣ Tea Cakes
Ingredients:
3 eggs, separated and at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
2/3 cup sifted cake flour
a pinch or 1/8 tsp. cream of tarter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 tablespoons melted butter, cooled
Method:
Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease and flour 12 muffin cups.
Beat egg yolks for 1 minute.
Gradually add sugar and continue beating for 4 minutes.
Beat egg whites until foamy.
Add a pinch of cream of tartar.
Beat until stiff peaks form.
Lightly fold 1/3 of whites into the yolk mixture. Then fold in flour and egg whites by thirds.
Add butter, mixing gently until blended thoroughly.
Spoon into prepared muffin cups, filling half full.
Bake for 15 minutes in a pre-heated 350° F oven.
Cool in pan for 10 minutes then turn out onto a rack.
Filling:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered/confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup orange marmalade
Method:
Whip cream and sugar until stiff. Add vanilla and marmalade. Use a whisk to blend.
To assemble the tea cakes, cut a small circle about an inch deep into the top of each cake. Fill hole with 1 tablespoon of whipped cream mixture. Cut top in half and place each side, centers touching, onto the top covering the cream. Dust with powdered sugar and garnish with a green cherry.

Mediterranean Roast of Beef

Mediterranean Roast of Beef
Ingredients:
3-1/2 to 4 lb. beef chuck or pot roast, boneless
2 Tbsps. oil
2-3 onions, quartered or coarsely chopped
6 potatoes, cut into quarters
3 carrots, coarsely chopped
celery if desired, but it tends to go mushy
1-1/2 Tbsps. minced garlic
1 cup dry red wine
1/2 cup beef stock/broth
2 Tbsps. tomato paste
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. pepper or a dash of hot sauce
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
1 Bay leaf
a sprig of thyme
1/2 tsp. grated lemon or 1/2 the peel of a lemon
1/2 cup dried apricots
1/4 cup pitted prunes
Method:
1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 4 to 5 quart ovenproof saucepan or large Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Pat meat dry with paper towels.
3. Add roast to hot oil along with all of the vegetables and garlic.
4. Brown meat on all sides.
5. Stir in onion, garlic and Thyme occasionally.
6. Add liquids, seasonings, apricots and prunes.
7. Cover tightly and bake for 2-1/2 to 3 hours in a preheated 350° F oven, until meat is fork tender.
8. Lift meat onto a cutting board.
9. Cover loosely with foil and let stand 10 to 15 minutes.
10. Discard bay leaf, Thyme and citrus peel and skim any fat from sauce.
11. If you prefer, thicken the sauce by stirring 2-1/2 tablespoons flour mixed with 1/4 cup cold water.
12. Slice meat across the grain and serve with the sauce.

Preacher's Cake

Preacher's Cake
Cake Ingredients:
1 to 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar, depending on how sweet you like it
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 eggs
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup walnuts or hydrated raisins
1, 20 ounce can crushed pineapple - undrained(I use pineapple in it's own juice)
Directions for Cake:
Pre-heat oven to 350° F.
Combine dry ingredients then add remaining ingredients and mix by hand.
Bake in a 9 x 13 prepared pan and bake in a pre-heated 350° F oven for 30-45 minutes.
Do not over bake or the consistency will be more dense and heavy.
Frosting Ingredients:
1, 8 ounce pkg. cream cheese, softened
1-3/4 cups powdered/confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine, room temperature
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Note: I like to kick this recipe up a notch by replacing the vanilla extract with 2 teaspoons Brandy or Whiskey or Frangelico or whatever you enjoy :D
Directions for Frosting:
With a mixer, blend ingredients well and spread on a cooled cake.
If you are concerned about caloric intake, then sprinkle top of cake with powdered sugar.
This is a NO milk, NO butter or oil cake recipe.
Note: You can add other fruits or coconut if you wish. Some options are dried cranberries, currants, a tub of mixed dried fruit, fresh blueberries or semi-sweet mini chocolate chips.
Here is a lovely Buttercream Frosting:

1 cup butter, softened

3-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon salt

Method:
In a bowl combine butter, sugar and salt. Beat until well blended.
Add milk and vanilla and beat for an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until smooth and creamy.