Tried And True Recipes From Tennessee Home And Farm Publication...Fresh Blackberry Cake With Blackberry Icing And Corn Fritters With Roasted Red Pepper Dip and A Story About Salvation Too.

There were two intriguing recipes I saw in a magazine recently. I tried them out and then shared them with friends, they liked them both. So it is my joy to share them with you today. How appropriate that I share a cake recipe on my Father's birthday, if he would still be alive he would have been 89 years old today. I think I shared with you one time before that I led my Dad to Jesus 3 weeks before he died. He is in heaven now and we will be reunited one day for all eternity. I also shared a testimony at his Catholic funeral service and in a respectful way I extended an offer of salvation with Jesus to those in that church service. Do you know what it is like getting on an altar as a woman amongst several priests and deacons celebrating the mass? Holy Spirit knew and that is how He helped me compose the testimony in written form for me to read/share at the lectern. After I shared my Father's experience in giving his heart to Jesus I asked those in attendance if anything I shared with them touched their heart that I would give them a moment to invite Jesus into their hearts. I closed my eyes waited a moment then prayed a simple prayer out loud asking Holy Spirit to seal the words in their heart. I will probably never know if anyone accepted the invitation to meet Jesus but just maybe I will know when I get to heaven.
Isn't this funny how a recipe story turns into a testimony...the day my Father went home to be with the Lord people were somber in the room. I was excited inside because my Dad was in heaven so you know what Holy Spirit prompted me to do next? My Dad was only in the hospice house a few days and I befriended a patient across the hall from his room. While some family were mourning I went across the hall and shared Jesus with her and she gave her heart to Jesus. I believe Holy Spirit set up that appointment so my Father could now see in heaven how all the angels rejoice in one giving their heart to Jesus. I guess you could say Holy Spirit used me to minister at that location. I think I only went back once or twice after his death. I met a child there that was also a patient and as I am remembering this tears fill my eyes. To see a child with a massive tumor by their eye touched my heart. At the time I carried percussion type of instrument in my vehicle because I used them while worshipping at church. I felt prompted to get a few from my car. Now, I got permission from the nurse first before I offered the child to select one for them to keep. I got permission and that child selected one. I believe the last time I went back I do not think either person was still there I was told the child died near Christmas and their family was around them. I just bet this child is making beautiful music in worship in heaven with no tumor to block their worship. Praise God. Do you think all three of them met in heaven? I would like to think so.

Fresh Blackberry Cake:
2/3 cup butter, softened
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups milk
4 egg whites, room temperature, stiffly beaten
1 cup blackberries
Blackberry Icing:
1 cup blackberries
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 1/2 to 4 cups powdered sugar
5-6 tablespoons milk

For the cake, heat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy. Mix in vanilla. In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt together. Alternately add flour mixture and milk to butter-sugar mixture until just combined. Gently fold in egg whites.
Grease and flour three 8-inch round baking pans. Divide batter evenly into pans. Evenly distribute berries on top of each layer. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until centers spring to the touch or a cake tester comes out clean when place in the center. Set aside to cool.

For the icing, in a small saucepan, stir blackberries and sugar until a thick syrup forms (about 20 minutes.) Set aside to cool. When cool, puree berries until very smooth. In an electric mixer, whip berry syrup, butter, vanilla and salt until well combined. Add powdered sugar and milk alternately, until icing is thick, creamy and a pretty pale purple.
When cake layers are completely cool, ice each layer and carefully assemble.

Note: There is enough icing to frost layers and also the sides and top of the cake too. Now, you all should know by now how I have this gift/knack to pick out typo's etc. while reading. Did you notice anything peculiar in this recipe? I just noticed it now while I was typing the recipe. "IN AN ELECTRIC MIXER WHIP BERRY SYRUP" get the picture now? How can one mix something in an electric mixer maybe it should have stated in a bowl with using an electric mixer? Just a thought. All kidding aside, this is a very moist cake. When you bite into a piece of blackberry it is
scrumptious and the frosting is a pretty shade also. Hope you enjoy this cake.

Corn Fritters
2 cups fresh corn, cooked and cut off the cob (about 6 ears)
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup self-rising flour
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup green onion, chopped
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1-2 tablespoons canola oil

Combine all ingredients until evenly wet. Heat oil in a saucepan.
Spoon the batter onto the hot pan, using 1/4 cup for each fritter. Allow to brown, turning once. Adjust heat to ensure the middle is cooked through.

Roasted Red Pepper Dip
2 medium sized red peppers (or 1/2 cup from a jar)
8 ounces cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 clove garlic
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon smoked paprika

If using fresh red peppers, heat oven to 450 degrees. Slice peppers in half lengthwise, removing stems and seeds. Place on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and roast for 25 minutes. Remove from oven, and allow to cool.
After peppers are cool, place all ingredients in a food processor or blender, and puree until well combined and very smooth.
Note: It was economical to purchase roasted red peppers in a jar instead of buying red peppers and turning the oven on to roast them. I did use the peppers in a jar. I am also a big fan of chunky garlic paste so I guessed at the right amount and used that instead of using a clove of garlic. Enjoy them. What I did was cut each fritter into 4 wedge shapes and it was easier to then eat it with some of the dip.