Tuesday at the Table

There's a new shop in town! It's called Book Larder, "a community cookbook store", and just opened October 12.

Well, you know me and cookbooks! There was an event on their schedule that interested me right away, so I booked us tickets, and hubby and I went last night!

Greg Atkinson "measures meals by how memorably they bring people together." He is a Northwest chef, a commentator, and an author, and we had the pleasure to hear him read from his newest book. He read about the time he cooked for Martha Stewart, about cooking with his aging mama, and about a casual meal with friends that transformed a moment in time - all amusing and heart-felt.

One thing that characterizes our culture, he said, is that we "go out, get food, bring it home, and tell stories about it." I can't speak for most of you, of course, but Greg's statement certainly fits our family. Any meal, any time, there is discussion about the food. It's like it's an essential component of how it nourishes us.

I wanted to share a recipe today that seriously comes from my kitchen - one of those "family favorites" that has been made again and again. I actually got the recipe in a demonstration techniques class in college, so I've been baking these up for a long time. They are simple to make, but yummy . . . I hope you enjoy them.

PUMPKIN BARS

Mix together:
4 eggs
¾ c. melted butter
2 c. pumpkin,
2c. sugar

Add:
2 t. baking powder
1 t. soda
½ t. cinnamon
2c. flour
Pour batter into greased & floured jelly-roll pan (10X15"). Bake at 350-degrees for 30 minutes.

For frosting, blend together 3 oz. cream cheese, 3 c. powdered sugar, 6 Tb. butter, 1 t. vanilla, & 1 Tb. milk.Spread over cake; sprinkle with chopped nuts if you like. Chill slightly before cutting into bars.