East TN Stack Cake and Other Delectable Southern Recipes

Not only did we go to our grandparents house every summer and each break, but at least once a month for the weekend. Every time, our grandmother would have a 'Stack Cake' waiting for us for a quick snack before bed when we would drive in on a Friday night. I was a picky eater, then - not now, and she would have a plain layer waiting on me. Can you imagine how special I felt!

Anyway here are a few cake tips we've learned and collected through the years. Also below the cake tips, is a menu and recipes for a good southern meal. Hope you enjoy . . .

*Add another layer of flavor by adding one tablespoon of grated orange or lemon peel to chocolate cake.
*Since baking calls for accuracy, be sure to measure dry ingredients with dry measures and liquids use a measuring cup - glass preferably.
*Eggs need to be at room temperature when added to your cake batter. It makes for a fluffier cake. It is a must to have the oven preheated and best to have the cake on the middle rack.
*Sift together flour and sugar for angel food cakes. It makes the cake more tender. The more you sift the flour and sugar together, several times is great, the better.
*If you happen to have any frosting leftover after 'icing' a cake, spread it between graham crackers or vanilla wafers, yum!
*Use baking coca instead of flour when baking a chocolate cake that calls for the pan to be greased and floured. It doesn't leave the edges white and tasting like flour.
*If using whipped cream frosting on a cake, the cakes needs to be chilled in the refrigerator for several hours for better flavor absorption. Be sure the cake is covered because it will absorb the other flavors and odors in the fridge.

AUNT FANNIE AZALEE'S MEATLOAF
3 Lbs. Hamburger
1 Egg
1 Can Tomato Soup
1 Whole Green Pepper, Diced
1 Whole Onion, Diced
1/2 Cup Ketchup
2 Cups Oatmeal
A dash or 2 Garlic Salt
A dash or 2 Onion Salt
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
1 Package Onion Soup
Line large baking pan with aluminum foil and butter it. Hand mix all ingredients
together and form into 3 loaves and put them in the buttered pan. Top each with additional ketchup. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 400° for about 20 mins. Then turn the temperature down to 350° and bake for 1 to 1 ½ hours. Take off foil and brown for the last 10 minutes of baking.

AUNT LASSIE MARIE'S FRIED OKRA
1 Package Frozen Fried Okra
1 Large Potato
1 Cup Whole Kernel Corn
1 Large Onion
1/2 Green Pepper
1 Small Cucumber
2 Green Tomatoes, Peeled
1 Cup Cornmeal
1/2 Cup Flour
Salt and Pepper
Cut onion, potato, green pepper, green tomatoes and cucumber into small pieces. Mix cornmeal and flour together and roll the veggie pieces in mixture. Fry in oil and lard (she used Crisco) and just fry one layer in the skillet at one time. Spoon out and let them drain on a paper towel. Continue frying and draining until all veggies are fried.