My Grandmother's Recipes

When I was little, I used to go to my grandmother's house for at least two weeks every summer. Gramma always asked me what I wanted her to cook for me. I had three things that were my favorites -- her Cranberry Bread, her "Mystery Cake" and her braised short ribs cooked in a pressure cooker. Every grandchild thinks their grandmother is the World's Best Cook. I was no exception. Today while cleaning out a cookbook cupboard, I found Gramma's handwritten cookbook. Two of the three recipes I loved are there, in her beautiful, formal handwriting, but minimal instructions. Unfortunately, the Braised Short Ribs isn't there. But here are Gramma's recipes for Cranberry Bread and "Mystery Cake". Cranberry Bread 1/4 cup shortening 2 cups flour - (she has a handwritten note that you can use 1/4 cup wheat germ and 1 3/4 cup flour - who knew Gramma was trying to cook more healthy?!) 1 cup sugar 1 egg, beaten 1 tsp salt 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 3/4 cup orange juice 1 tsp grated orange peel 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1 cup cranberries (chopped) Sift dry ingredients. Cut in shortening. Combine peel, OJ and egg. Add to dry ingredients, mix. Add cranberries and nuts. Bake at 350 for 60 minutes, 9 x 5 x 3 loaf pan. Mystery Cake - Called this because if you told people what it really was - Tomato Soup Cake - they wouldn't eat it! Gramma made it, served it and THEN told people what was in it. Don't turn your nose up on this one - it is a truly flavorful, moist, dense cake! I actually prefer it without any kind of frosting, and treat it more like a Pumpkin Bread than a cake. Most people make Cream Cheese frosting to go with it. Some recipes call for chopped nuts, but we always preferred it without. 1 cup sugar 2 tbsp butter 1 can tomato soup 1 tsp baking soda 1 1/2 cups flour 1 cup raisins 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp nutmeg 1 tsp cloves Bake in (well-greased) loaf pan. 350 degrees. 40-50 minutes.