Gray Gables Goodies

If you are in cooler climes, cuddling up with a toasty mug of hot cocoa is quite a comfort. For those of us in Florida, it requires a cranking of the A/C to fully capture the spirit, but, hey, it's worth it.  This is my Grandma-ma's recipe, tweaked with a little "secret ingredient". I love to gift this over the holidays by filling a mason jar and adding a festive tag or fabric circle around the lid. It's great to keep on hand for hostess gifts or unexpected visitors. Here you go...cozy up and enjoy! 1 large container (56.3 oz) of Nido dry milk powder 5 cups powdered sugar 2 1/3 cups dry creamer (coffee mate) 1 1/3 cups good cocoa powder (Ghiradelli Dutch processed is good) 2 large instant chocolate pudding mixes (or 4 smaller ones, I like Ghiradelli dark chocolate pudding) 1 tsp salt Use a large stock pot or Tupperware bowl to combine all ingredients. Mix with clean hands and/or a whisk. For better texture/mixing, sift into containers (I use a Tupperware M...

It's hot in Florida. We are longing for the sweaters and scarves and woolies that the rest of the country seems to start unpacking this time of year while we are, well, the same 90-something degrees across the forecast. Shorts, flip-flops, breathing through gills, believe me, it gets OLD. Do you know how hard it is to look Autumnally fashionable when warm weather clothes don't come in the deep, rich colors of Fall? ~sigh~  We've chosen to live here and we will bloom where we are planted, so when it's warm out, but we want to experience some of the flavor of the season, Apple-Ginger Ale works. (It's also good for upset tummies and improving digestion). 1 cup ginger (I used a package of candied ginger from Trader Joe's, but fresh gives more of a kick) 2 cups water Apple Juice Concentrate Club Soda or Sparkling Water (we like Pellegrino, buy it at Target) If using candied ginger, chop it a bit more. If using fresh, thin slices work well. Boil the ginger in t...

Pumpkins make me happy. On my June wedding day, my new father-in-law told me we had to go to the field behind our house to see his gift to me...he had planted a pumpkin patch in the Spring because he knew how much I loved to cook with pumpkin. So, here is the first recipe from Gray Gables Goodies: PUMPKIN-APPLE SPICE BAKED DOUGHNUTS 1/2 + 1/3 C pumpkin puree (not pie filling, approx 1/2 of a small can) 1/4 C brown sugar 1/4 C frozen apple juice concentrate (thawed) 1/4 C + 2T milk 2 T unsalted butter, melted 2 T Nutiva Red Palm Shortening 1 t cider vinegar 1/2 t vanilla 1 T cinnamon 1 t ginger powder 1/4 t cloves 1/4 t nutmeg 1/2 t salt 1 1/2 cups spelt flour (Great River Organic is my favorite) 1/2 t baking soda 1 1/2 t baking powder Preheat oven to 350. Lightly oil doughnut pans. Mix everything from pumpkin to salt in a bowl with a whisk. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, and powder, then add to the wet ingredients and fold in with a spoon or spatula until blen...