Whenever an organization that I'm affiliated with has any sort of fundraiser, a donation from me is always a Luncheon at Linderhof. It's a fun way to help the charity for I get to have new "friends" come for lunch and they'll bring other guests as well -- for luncheon is oftentimes either 4 or 6.
And I'm pleased to say that the luncheons usually do very well for the charities. Helping them raise much needed funds.
Last fall, I donated a luncheon for the Bourbon County Arts Council's annual auction and Tuesday, the guests came.
It's Spring (or it feels like it anyway) and so a flowery spring luncheon seemed appropriate.
The table, set with a white lace cloth, white damask napkins (in my silver napkin rings) and down the center . . . spring flowers!
The Wedgwood Cuckoo echoed the pink, blue and green of the centerpiece. Husband Jim's grandmother's silver and a menu . . . featuring a picture of the centerpiece.
The hyacinths gave a heady aroma and after our dreary winter, the smell of Spring was not unwelcomed!
It was a luncheon of Spring flavors as well . . .
Luncheon at Linderhof
Menu
Cream of Spring Onion Soup
Celebration Chicken
White and Wild Rice
Corn Madelines
Blackberry Jam Cake
All cut and ready to be served. Lately, when I've made layer cakes, i've not been frosting the sides -- just layering frosting between layers and on top.It's my grandmother's cake. It really is a winter cake when fresh fruit was not available but there was jam in the pantry. She often made it for Sunday dinner. She frosted it with caramel frosting, but alas, had no fresh blackberries with which to garnish! Alas, I had no blackberry jam in the pantry and had to buy mine!!!
GRANDMOTHER'S BLACKBERRY JAM CAKE
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
5 eggs, separated
1 cup buttermilk
4 cups flour
2 t. baking soda
2 t. ground cinnamon
2 cups blackberry jam (homemade is best)
Preheat oven to 350. Grease 2 9-inch cake pans with shortening and dust with flour. Set aside.
Cream the butter with the sugar. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time, and then the buttermilk. Sift together the flour, soda and cinnamon and mix in. Stir in the jam. Beat the egg whites stiff and fold in. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pans and bake for about 30 minutes, until a tester comes out clean.
CARAMEL FROSTING
1/4 c. cream
1 T. butter
6 T. brown sugar
1/4 t. salt
2 cups powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla
Mix cream, butter, brown sugar and salt over low heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in powdered sugar and vanilla. Stir until cool.
It's Thursday and time to join Susan for Tablescape Thursday. So please go over to Between Naps on the Porch to see everyone's tables this Thursday!
26 comments:
I always enjoy seeing the food with a tablescape..makes it all more real, you know. Your centerpieces are sweet. I'm sure the guests felt well spoiled at your lunch.
Oh Goody, I am first. I would be first in line for a luncheon at Linderhof. Actually I would get into a bitter bidding war for that luncheon. As usual everything looks so elegant. The cake is to die for. Thank you for inviting us. Hugs, Ginger
We, I thought I was first. I type too slowly. LOL. Ginger
Martha
That menu is perfect. Love the chicken and corn madelaines. An the cake...to die for. Mother has a caramel cake recipe I have to dig up. Love anything caramel.
Beautiful china...I can smell those hyacinths...can't wait for mine to blossom. Your menu sounds wonderful.
Your table is just beautiful as always and the menu looks fabulous. I loved the idea of the Corn Madelines. I must say, that Blackberry Cake looks delicious and I may be making that this weekend.
Carolyn
Oh this all looks so yummy! Beautiful job! I love the hyacinths...lots of color and I can imagine the frangrance! Spring is coming fast!
I learn something from you each time I visit, and it always makes me happy to "grow" in my entertaining. Cornbread Madelines.....never, never would I have thought to do this!....and they are so delicate and lady luncheonish. I am going to share your Blackberry cake recipe with Caramel frosting with my 91 year old mom who lives to cook. It will be a treasure to her, and to me, as I will get to sample it.....! As always, your table is lovely, and the hyacinths and hyacinth vases are spectacular!!!!
I'm going to have to dust off my madeline pan! I think your donated luncheons are a wonderful idea. My mum always offers a day of pie making - some lucky person gets a freezer full of fruit pies.
What a great idea! We've often donated dinners to benefit auctions, but offering a luncheon is perfect! Thank you for sharing your beautiful tablescape, your recipe for the Blackberry Jam Cake, and for stopping by my post. Cherry Kay
I love everything about your luncheon--the location, table setting and the menu. What a fortunate luncheon group.
Best,
Bonnie
What a nice treat to be able to offer a fabulous ladies luncheon for charity. I am sure the people are thrilled with the food, pretty table settings and the hospitality. I am so glad you showed us the menu too. That cake does look really good. I'm going to print it off. Unfortunately I would never have homemade blackberry jam...nankin cherry yes! But we don't have blackberries.
Lovely post.
Donna
what a beautiful table, love it that you have your husbands grandmothers silver!
What a lovely table! I always enjoy looking at your beautiful table setting and then trying those fantastic recipes you so willing share.
Hello, I am "next to you" on BNOTP.
Gosh, what a nice idea to help raise money. The tablescape is lovely.
I very much like the vases and am storing away your idea of using a picture of the centerpiece on the menu header. Very nice, indeed!
What a marvelous idea for a donation! Your guests were charmed by your pretty table, I'm sure. I really love that china pattern. And that blackberry jam cake looks luscious!
How nice to see someone else has Wedgwood Cuckoo. I bought mine in 1977 and have shown it on some of my Swede posts. How nice of you to do the charity lunches. Lovely!
Martha,
Lovely tablescape for your benefit luncheon! Your guests were totally smitten with Linderhof, I'm sure. Lucky ladies and their guests! Thank you for sharing all the good you do for your community through the use of your lovely Linderhof!
Fondly,
Pat
It all looks so beautiful and sophisticated...... I'm with Savannah Granny....I'd be eagerly bidding on luncheon as well.... just to ogle your house and "stuff" ....and that is even before diving into the yummy food you serve...
Love the little growing hyacinths in their colourful holders... what a novel idea for the table.
Martha, I love everything about your luncheon. Wish I had a slice of your grandmother's cake right now with a cup of coffee!
Are you hyacinth vases vintage? And did you sprout your hyacinths yourself? My grandmother used to do that, but I have never tried. I'm wondering whatever happened to her vases, cause now I'd like to give it a whirl.
Becky
What a lovely gift you give to others. A gift of self is always perfect. I love your cake recipe and will have to give it a try. Your table is so very inviting and your carefully chosen pieces all work so well together. delightful.
Beautiful tablescape, dishes and tablecloth... and the food looks yumm!. Thank you for those great recipes, I'm definetelly making the cake for an upcoming b'day!
I would be in Linderhof knocking at your door if I was near...just great!
XOXO
FABBY
It sounds like a wonderful meal served in lovely surroundings. No wonder folks bid to visit with you. The cake is especially appealing. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary
What a beautifully set table and a wonderfully prepared mead. That cake looks out of this world!
What a wonderful donation to your local organizations' fundraising efforts! I would definitely bid on a luncheon at Linderhof.
Your table is gorgeous and the luncheon menu sounds scrumptious.
Tammy
This is one BEAUTIFUL MEAL HERE! lOVELY!
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