swedish jam shortbread
I know there must be an art to photographing food. I have tried several times now and the results are the same. Like those pictures in vintage cookbooks, whatever I try to take a picture of looks ewww-y. Instead, I've taken a picture of my new favorite (thrifted) baking dish. It's a great 9x11 pyrex dish with a cute red pattern. It's been used a lot lately and when it has a day or two off, I keep it on my counter filled with cookbooks and recipes.
I got this recipe for Swedish Jam Shortbread from my cousin and it's a perfect 'easy bake' recipe.
Swedish Jam Shortbread
1 box butter recipe yellow cake mix
1/2 C finely chopped pecans
1/4 C butter; softened
1 egg
10 oz. jar preserves (strawberry, apricot...whatever you like)
Combine cake mix, nuts, butter, and egg and mix with a pasty blender until crumbly. Press into a greased 9x13 pan. Spread preserves over top of mix and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. While still warm, drizzle with a glaze of 1/2 C powdered sugar, 2 1/2 tsp. water, and 1/2 tsp almond extract. Cool completely and cut into 1 in. squares (small is good because these are really sweet).
Your blog is my all time favorite. I visit it almost daily because it seems we have a lot in common. I love to shop thrift stores and I am always on the look-out for vintage cookware and gadgets, vintage linens, almost anything from the 60's back. Thank you so much for sharing and inspiring.
Posted by:Pamela | February 21, 2008 at 09:37 AM
love the dish! and the recipe sounds delicious. i feel the same way about photographing food. and you are right on the money with the 70s cookbook comparison. too funny!
Posted by:amy | February 21, 2008 at 09:58 AM
you know what i find yummy? that casserole dish!
Posted by:jeanetta | February 21, 2008 at 04:32 PM
Just a thought.. but I suspect that food is often shot with a blue filter to counteract the odd way all food looks orange in photos ( ala old time cookbook). I should ask my father.. he worked as the Art director for Wilson Foods for years.. that man could photograph a canned ham that would make you actually want to eat it!..
Maddie
Posted by:Maddie | February 21, 2008 at 08:43 PM
I saw a programme once about how food is photographed for magasines and books and they had a lot of wierd and wonderful tricks up their sleeves, most of which made the food totally inedible!
Posted by:the pesky bombolino | February 22, 2008 at 02:09 AM
That shortbread sounds good - and easy. I am loving that cute dish with the great Pennsylvania Dutch design on it! I'm not sure I have seen that pattern before- then again, I don't get out much.
Posted by:HeidiAnn | February 22, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Loving the subway tile backsplash! yummy!
Posted by:Mary Ann | February 22, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Mmmm, that sounds fabulous. I love anything with yellow cake mix. The dish is great!
Posted by:Pieces | February 25, 2008 at 11:17 AM
The recipe looks good and maybe even a tad healthier than traditional shortbread. Thanks!
Posted by:Tabitha | February 25, 2008 at 05:52 PM
I made the Swedish Jam Shortbread -- 5 STARS! - ***** - we love it -- I am sure it will become an often requested treat
Posted by:Marilyn | February 26, 2008 at 09:19 AM
I like the books and basket in the pyrex. I would never have thought to do this!! Again you have another great idea for me!!
Posted by:miss paula | March 01, 2008 at 01:47 PM
pretty pic and i am so jealous of your pyrex dish. i too have never seen that pattern, it has a decidely scandinavian flair.
Posted by:susan | March 05, 2008 at 12:29 AM
Love the cookbooks - great colours!
Posted by:Nora | May 28, 2008 at 02:20 PM