Ancestry and Cayman Island Cream of Wheat Cake

I enjoy learning where my family comes from. I remember spending Sunday afternoons at the Allen county public library while my parents did research in the genealogy department. I thought that was really neat so I asked my mom to show me how so I could look into my dad's side. It is hard,grueling work but exciting. I didn't last long at it (I was only in middle school) but my dad worked at it and went back pretty far.
I have some of the more common lineage: German, English, etc. but one of my more unique heritage is that my great grandma was from the Cayman Islands. I loved listening to her talk; she had a great island accent. I would love to visit the islands someday. I know it's not quite the same as it used to be since a hurricane (Katrina maybe?) destroyed a lot of the island including the family pew at a little church somewhere (so I've heard) but there still is distant family there that would be fun to meet.
This recipe came from my great grandma.I believe it originally was made with cassava and although I'm not sure how it transformed into this current recipe, I think it is perfect just the way it is. Enjoy!

Cayman Island Cream of Wheat Cake

1 can Coco Lopez cream of coconut (by the drink mixers)
Enough milk to make 6 cups when added to the cream of coconut
1 cup Cream of Wheat
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1:2 stick of butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon allspice

Melt butter in a large saucepan. Add sugar, cinnamon, and allspice; mix well. Add 6 cups coconut milk mixture and cream of wheat. Stir constantly until consistency of tapioca pudding. Pour into a greased 9x13 glass dish. Bake at 300 degrees for 60 minutes or until top is dry and brown. Let cool (if you can), then cut into squares and try not to eat the whole pan in one sitting. :0)

Super Bowl and Snack Foods

One of my favorite things to cook is what we lovingly call "football food". All of those deliciously yummy treats we eat while watching our beloved Colts play. This year something spectacular is taking place in our home town: Super Bowl XLVI. My husband has always dreamed of going to the Super Bowl and now that "his" team has made it twice, reality has set in and has kept him from going. Two teachers, unfortunately, do not make enough to have the money to go to the big game. Now, the game is here in our town, and although we still can't afford to go to the game we can do the next best thing...we are going downtown on Sunday to hang out before the game and during. This sounds completely crazy to me but who am I to stand in the way of a dream :0). Because we will be downtown, I won't be making any game food this time but that won't stop me from helping you deck out the food table at your Super Bowl party! Here are a few of our favorites! Enjoy! (P.S. Don't forget to check out my previous post on the buffalo chicken dip!)

Deli Pinwheels

Deli sliced ham (or any other meat)
Baby spinach leaves
1 Can Crescent rolls
1 Container Garlic and Herb spreadable cheese

1. Unroll crescent rolls. Pinch seams (or buy that awesome crescent roll sheet!).
2. Spread a thin layer of cheese spread on crescent rolls.

3. Lay a thin layer of deli meat on top of cheese.

4. Top with a single layer of spinach leaves.

5. Roll up crescent rolls starting with the long side.
6. Using a serrated bread knife, cut log into 1/2 in rounds.

7. Place on a baking sheet and bake according to crescent roll directions or until pinwheels are golden brown.

Polish Mistakes (I'll work on some pictures of these soon!)

1 lb. ground beef
1 lb. ground sausage (I use mild)
1 lb. velveeta
1 loaf cocktail bread (original recipe calls for rye which I don't like so I use French bread)
Dash of garlic powder

1. Brown beef and sausage until cooked through.
2. Add in velveeta and garlic powder.
3. Cook until cheese is melted.
4. Place heaping spoonfuls on drop of bread slices on a cookie sheet.
5. Bake at 375 degrees for about 10 min or until bread is slightly toasted.

Have a SUPER party ;0)