HOLIDAYS
HOLIDAYS
Summer festivals are a great way to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. Here are five unique festivals to attend across the country:
Berry-Filled Desserts/ Summer Berry Cobbler Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter or lard
- 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
- 1 1/2 cups fresh blackberries
- 1 Cup fresh huckleberries, or raspberries
- 1 Cup sugar
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 Teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons whiskey
- 1 recipe Sweet Biscuit Mix, recipe follows
- 3/4 Cup water
- Confectioners' sugar, for garnish
- Sweetened Cream, for accompaniment
Steps
- Preheat the oven to 375 F.
- Place the butter or lard in a small, round cast iron Dutch or camp oven (5 to 6 quarts), or large cast iron skillet and place over the grill or in the oven to melt. Remove from the heat.
- In a bowl, toss the fruit with the sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice and zest, and whiskey. Let sit for 20 to 30 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine the Biscuit Mix with the water and mix until just combined.
- Pat out the dough into a large round and place in the bottom and up the sides of the pot or skillet.
- Spoon the fruit mixture over the dough and cover with any juices.
- Place in the oven and bake until the dough is golden brown and risen, and the fruit is bubbly, 30 to 40 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes before serving.
- Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar and drizzle with ice cream, if desired.
Berry-Filled Desserts/ Sweet Biscuit Mix
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 Cup sugar
- 1/4 Cup plus 1
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 3/4 Teaspoon salt
- 1/2 Cup vegetable shortening or lard
Steps
- Combine all the ingredients except the shortening in a bowl.
- Cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.
- Place in an airtight container and store in a cool place.
Berry-Filled Desserts/ Milk Spongecake
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 4 eggs
- 1 Cup milk
- 4 tablespoons butter
Steps
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Combine flour and baking powder
- In a bowl, beat eggs on high speed about 4 minutes, or til thick.
- Gradually add sugar; beat at medium speed for 4 to 5 minutes or until light and fluffy.
- Add flour mixture, beat at low to medium speed until just combined.
- In a saucepan, heat and stir milk and margarine until margarine melts; add to batter, beating until combined.
- Pour into 2 greased 9 x9 x 2 inch baking pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow cake to cool
- Transfer one layer onto a serving dish and cover in berry buttercream frosting
- Add second layer on top and cover the rest of the cake with the frosting
- Refrigerate for a few hours
- Expert Tip: If you like to serve cake at room temperature, remove it from the fridge just before you go to dinner. It will be ready to go when you return!
Berry-Filled Desserts/ Berry Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup shortening
- 1/2 Cup real butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract
- 1 dash salt (optional)
- 5 cups confectioners' sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- 1.5 cups fresh blackberries
- 1.5 cups coarsely chopped fresh strawberries
Steps
- Cream butter and shortening, then add vanilla.
- Add sugar a cup at a time beating on medium speed.
- Add milk 1 Tbls. at a time and beat on high until completely blended.
- TIP: To cut the sweetness I usually sprinkle some salt in the vanilla (so it will dissolve) before proceeding with recipe as instructed.
- Divide the frosting in half and fold in the blackberries and strawberries on the half you'll use to frost between the cake layers.
Top Summer Festivals Across the Country
- Southern California:Festival of the Arts / Pageant of theMasters - Laguna Beach, CA What: 2008 marks the 75th anniversary for the Festival of the Arts,California's premiere arts festival. The biggest draw over the summer-long festival is the Pageant of the Masters, a nightly 90-minute performance featuring actors posing to recreate 20 original artistic masterpieces, accompanied by an orchestra.Where: 650 Laguna Canyon Road, LagunaBeach, CA 92651When: July 9 - August 30 (August23 is a blackout date). Festivalof the Arts: 10 A.M. - 11:30 P.M.; The Pageant of theMasters begins at 8:30 P.M. every night.Online: http://foapom.com/
- Expert Tip: If you buy tickets for Pageantof the Masters, you have unlimitedfree admission to the festival.
- Northern California:Festival delSole - Napa Valley, CA What: A ten-day culture-fest packedwith world-class international musicians, celebrity chefs, fine wines and cheeses. This year's festival also features art exhibitions by Henri Matisse and Andy Warhol.Where: California'sBeautiful Napa Valley. Concerts are held at theLincoln Theater, Castello di Amorosa and Robert Mondavi Winery.When: July 12-20.Online: http://www.festivaldelsole.com/napavalley/main.html
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Expert Tip: Although most performances require expensive tickets, the Festival is holding a free outdoor concert on July 4th.
- East Coast:Maine Lobster Festival - Rockland,MEWhat: If you love lobster, you won't want to miss this festivaldedicated to celebrating Maine'sfavorite crustacean. There's alsoplenty of art exhibits and musical performances.Where: Harbor Park,275 Main St, Rockland, Maine 04841When: July 30 - August 5, but theofficial festival doesn't begin until August 1st. Events run from 7 A.M. - 11 P.M.Online: http://www.mainelobsterfestival.com/
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