Serves: 6

Ingredients

1 (12 ounce) package falafel, cooked as directed on the package
1 (10 ounce) package fresh spinach, torn into bite size pieces with excess stems removed
1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half
3/4 cup Kalamata olives
Grated parmesan reggiano cheese, optional

Cook the falafel as directed on the package. Drain hot liquid in a colander. Rinse the pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process. Place the cooked and cooled pasta in a large bowl.

Greek Dressing

Ingredients

1 teaspoon dried basil
1 small shallot, chopped fine
1 small clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground lemon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon lemon zest

While the pasta is cooking, combine the dressing ingredients in a medium bow and mix well. 

Mix the dressing with the cooled pasta in a large bowl. Gently toss the torn spinach pieces, cherry tomatoes, and Kalamata olives with the pasta mixture. Cover and chill. 

Top with freshly grated parmesan reggiano cheese if desired. 

Note: Fresh herbs would create more depth but use less amounts than ground.

This recipe is in Smokin' Good Eats.

Makes 9 servings
Oven temperature: 350 degrees F.
Baking time: 30-40 minutes

Ingredients

1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup good cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1 cup chocolate flavored coffee, cooled to room temperature
3 large eggs, room temperature and slightly beaten
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 tablespoons good bourbon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne (optional, but goes great)

In a large bowl, whisk the flour, salt, cayenne, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, sugar, and brown sugar together thoroughly.

Whisk the bourbon in the cup of cold coffee. Add the coffee mixture, buttermilk, slightly beaten eggs and oil to the dry ingredients and mix until all ingredients are incorporated.

In the meantime, cut two pieces of parchment paper to fit inside the bottoms of two 8-inch square greased and floured pans. Grease the tops of the parchment paper. Lay the parchment paper over the bottoms of the pans.

Lightly drop the pans on the counter a few times to remove the air bubbles. Pour the cake batter equally between the two prepared pans.

Place the cake pans in a preheated 350 degree F. oven and bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool the cakes in the pans on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes. Invert the cakes onto a cake plate larger than the prepared cakes. Ice with chocolate ganache icing. Serve immediately. Carefully cover the remainder of the cake and store in the refrigerator.

Chocolate Ganache Icing

Ingredients

1 (12 ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
8 ounces heavy cream
1 tablespoon good bourbon

Place the chocolate chips in a medium bowl.

Heat the cream in a medium saucepan just until the cream begins to boil. Pour the heated cream over the chocolate chips, cover for 5 minutes.

The chocolate chips should be melting. Whisk the cream, bourbon, and chocolate chips until the mixture becomes shiny. Let the chocolate mixture cool to room temperature before icing the cakes.

If the chocolate icing begins to get thick, place it in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for a few seconds to soften.
Ice the bottom of one of the cooled cakes. Carefully place the second cake on top of the icing. Ice the top and sides. Enjoy!

This recipe is from Smokin' Good Eats.

Ingredients

Good solid bread
Fresh cucumbers, washed (keep peel on)
Small green bell peppers, washed, stem and seeds removed
Large eggs, boiled and peeled
Salt and fresh ground black pepper
Mayonnaise

Wash cucumber and green pepper, pat dry and then thinly slice them. Take good fresh bread and remove the crust. Take a wine glass or round biscuit cutter and cut out circles of the bread. Spread the bread with mayonnaise. Place a green pepper on the mayonnaise and add a thin slice of cucumber in the middle. Slice the boiled eggs and top each cucumber with an egg slice. Salt and pepper to taste. You can grate the boiled eggs or add a thin radish slice instead of the egg. This recipe is great for teas and Civil War balls.

This recipe can be found in History Lover's Cookbook.

Double Boiler

Ingredients

1 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
3 large eggs, well beaten
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Mix the sugar and eggs together. Slowly add the cooled melted butter and lemon juice. Place in a double boiler and cook on medium-low heat. Stir the ingredients continuously for about 20 minutes or until creamy. Place in the refrigerator to cool. Nice for a picnic, pound cake, bread or gifts. makes approximately 1 cup.

This recipe is from History Lover's Cookbook.

Preheat lard to 370 degrees F.

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 3/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 3/4 teaspoons cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1 large egg, well beaten
Lard for frying

Put the flour in a shallow pan. Whisk in salt, soda, cream of tartar, and spices. Work in butter with tips of fingers. Next, add sugar and egg well beaten. Last, add the buttermilk. Stir thoroughly and toss on board thickly dredged with flour. Knead slightly, using more flour if necessary. 

Pat and roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thick. Shape and fry in a large Dutch oven at 370 degrees . Drain on a cloth napkin. Buttermilk doughnuts are turned as soon as they come to the top of the fat and frequently afterwards with a slotted spoon.

Sprinkle with cinnamon.

This recipe is in History Lover's Cookbook.

Silver or pewter Mint Julep cup, chilled

Ingredients

1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons water
5 large fresh mint leaves
Crushed ice (which wouldn't be appropriate for nineteenth-century)
2 jiggers good Kentucky bourbon
1 sprig of mint for garnish

Muddle or mash the sugar, water, and 5 mint leaves in the bottom of the chilled Mint Julep cup. Fill the cup with crushed ice. When from forms on the outside, slowly pour in the bourbon, being careful not to let the bourbon touch the sides of the cup; then stir. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs. Serve immediately. Hold the cup by the bottom and top rim. Enjoy!

This recipe is in History Lover's Cookbook.

Ingredients

4 cups fresh ripe raspberries (about 2 pints)
2 cups cider vinegar
2 cups sugar
Cold Water
Sprig of fresh mint for garnish (optional)

Add the fresh raspberries to a large glass bowl or glass pitcher. Pour the cider vinegar over the raspberries. Cover the raspberry mixture tightly and refrigerate 3-4 days.

Strain the raspberry mixture into a medium saucepan; press the raspberries with the backside of a wooden spoon to release the fruit liquor.

Place a fine strainer over a bowl and strain the raspberry mixture; discard the fruit flesh. Pour the raspberry liquid back into the pan and stir in the sugar. Boil 2-3 minutes. Remove the raspberry liquid from the heat and cool. Store in a covered container.

Mix 1/4 cup raspberry concentrate with 1 cup very cold water. Place into a clear glass. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and a few raspberries.

Note: For a modern version: add crushed ice. 

This recipe is from History Lover's Cookbook.