Arawan Fresh Dates and Cooking with Ninie

So tonight I ventured into the kitchen as promised. This year for my birthday, Mom gave me this box filled with recipes that were hand copied by my Grandmother, Nina McKenzie.

A little background:  I hail from a family of wonderful, creative cooks.  Growing up, my father owned two restaurants and was a caterer.  We were always in the kitchen creating something.  My mother, while not a professional cook, very well could have been.  Both my grandmothers were also amazing cooks.  I am named after my maternal grandmother, Sallye Skinner Taylor.  While she often cooked simple Southern meals, they were truly delicious.  We are still trying to reproduce her fried corn recipe (the secret was apparently cooking it after the chicken).  On my father's side, my grandmother, Nina Eversole McKenzie was also a wonderful cook.  The recipes I am going to be cooking this year are from this box.

I started on the first of the recipes I have from my grandmother.  The recipes are in no special order.  I am just cooking as I found them in the box.  

Recipe #1 is Ninie's Orange Chiffon Cake.  There are many things to love about this recipe.  I just love that this is written on "Heart of Wilson" Motor Inn stationary.  Who knows if she actually stayed there but I suspect my grandfather, Joseph McKenzie, who was a print setter, brought it home from either work or a trip.  I also love how specific she is in her instructions for order of ingredients and whipping the egg whites.

I started this cake after borrowing a tube pan from my dear friends Mauricio and Dahlia.  I will be sure to share some of the cake.  The cake was easy enough to make, though Garrett and I ran into a near snag after we got the orange zest.  I cut the orange only to find it was a blood orange, with deep pink flesh.  I was afraid it was a grapefruit, though Garrett and I were able to verify it was an orange (taste).

I had McKenzie help me with whipping the egg whites.  She was so surprised when the cup of whites turned into stiff peaks.  Clearly I am not cooking with her enough.

After it had cooled, we iced it.  I think it looks nice (wish I would have put it on an orange plate, but oh, well).  The kids and I had a slice.  It is quite tasty, with a lot of orange flavor. The cake itself is light and airy, just as you would expect from both the name and the amount of egg whites put in the recipe. The icing was a nice touch, though I think I would like more orange flavor in it.  I may have shorted the amount of zest I put in the icing.  Note well taken.

I enjoyed the cake and I liked trying a new recipe.  I would make this one again. Seems perfect for a shower or book club. Not too sweet, but nice and light.

The other part of the evening involved dinner.  Always a challenge to find something that appeals to everyone.  For Christmas, Greg got a basket of Southern food and fixins.  I pulled a bag of chicken fry out to try tonight. 

Now, regardless that I am from the South, the only time that chicken gets fried in my home is when Mom comes for a visit. I have fried chicken twice in my house, and once was for my book club. 

When Garrett learned what I was cooking, he hovered around the kitchen most of the evening.  Originally, I only put five pieces of chicken in to cook, but added the remainder (I only cook with thighs) and was glad I did.  They flew off the platter.  I have to say that seldom have I put something on the table that was greeted with such joy from all members of the family.  Don't tell my mom, but Greg thinks mine was better than hers.  I remain doubtful but it was yummy!