Date Nut Cake with Caramel Icing

I don't remember this dessert myself, but it was made at the last reunion. My uncles and aunt said that Grandma always made it for Grandpa's birthday as it was his favorite. There was some confusion as to what the frosting was, but after scouring her recipe collection, I found a recipe that is very loved and worn for "Simple Caramel Icing." I'm guessing that is the one she used.

Date Nut Cake:
1/2 lb. pitted dates, cut in pieces
Add 1 cup water and bring to a boil. Cover and let stand 20 minutes. Then cream together:
1 cup sugar
1 cube butter
Add 2 well beaten eggs and cooled date mixture. Then sift together and add the following:
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
Add 1 cup chopped nuts. Grease and flour baking pan (Bundt or Angel Food pan preferred). Bake in 325* F oven for 1 hour or until done when tested with toothpick. Ice with caramel frosting.

Simple Caramel Icing
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cube margarine
1/3 cup canned milk

Bring to a boil and boil on simmer for 3 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes and add 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar. If frosting is too firm, add 1 tsp. canned milk. Add 1/2 tsp. vanilla.
Spread on cool cake.

Chiligetti

Grandma was famous for this dish. Half chili, half spaghetti, this was a favorite among the cousins. I think why it was so good was that she actually browned the hamburger and onion and garlic in the butter.

Chiligetti
1 Tbsp butter
1 clove garlic
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 lb. ground beef
2-1/2 cups canned tomatoes
4 cups chili with meat
1 (8 oz) pckg. spaghetti
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup dairy sour cream
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Melt butter. Brown garlic, onion, and beef. Drain fat off. Add tomatoes and chil. Simmer 45 minutes.
Cook spaghetti in boiling water. Drain. Stir cheddar cheese into chili mix. Fold in sour cream, add spaghetti to chil mixture. Pour into greased casserole pan. Top with parmesan cheese and bake 45 minutes at 350*F. (Can be frozen or refrigerated)

I do have to add that I watched her make this many times and I don't remember her ever putting it into a casserole pan and baking. I thought we got it from the pot fresh off the stove. I still need to try it myself though.

Remembering Grandma

Just a few days and a year ago, my beloved Grandma Ransom passed away. I inherited a great deal of recipes from her. Many of them are on large index cards bound with two rings. They are typewritten and timeworn. I love knowing that my grandmother used these and feel connected to her when I look at them.

Grandma was always a wonderful cook. Some food items that remind me of her:
Root beer floats
Chiligetti
Fried chicken
Rolls
Ice cream sandwiches
Old Easter candy
And especially, white cupcakes with her homemade cream cheese frosting

Although Grandma is not with us anymore, she left a legacy of charity and love passed down through her children, grandchildren, and is continued to be passed to her great grandchildren. She has passed on a tradition of the importance of family and good food.