Rhubarb- A Springtime Treat

Rhubarb- a springtime favorite of mine and chefs everywhere. This tart, stalky vegetable has decorative, yet toxic, leaves and edible stems. The bright red stems are used in a variety of recipes, and as a child we ate them right out of the garden- savoring every puckering, sour moment. This vegetables conjures up balmy spring days, dirty hands and knees, and that first bite after its been rinsed off by the garden hose. To me- rhubarb is as spring as lilacs, sheets on the line outside, and flip flops. Here are some of my favorite rhubarb recipes- sure to bring a pucker, I mean smile, to your lips!

Rhubarb Compote

This recipe is as easy as making apple sauce. Roughly chop rhubarb stalks and put them in a slow cooker or pot over low temperature until they are tender. You may need to add a bit of water so they don't scorch. Once tender, mis in sugar and a dash of cinnamon to taste. Remember, rhubarb is tart so you will need the sugar!

Serve warm with whipped cream or over vanilla ice cream.

Rhubarb Crisp

Streusel top and bottom:

1 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup flour

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup butter-melted

Mix together and put half on the bottom of a 9x9 glass baking dish or pie plate. Reserve the rest for the topping.

Filling:

3 cups diced rhubarb

1 tablespoon flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1 tablespoon water

Stir together and place over streusel in bottom of dish. Top with remaining streusel.

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes, until bubbly.

Serve warm with ice cream.

Rhubarb Cake

1/2 cup shortening

11/2 cups sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda in 1 cup sour milk. To make the milk sour, add 2 tablespoon of white vinegar to it.

2 cups flour

3 cups rhubarb, diced

Cream together shortening and sugar. Add egg and salt. Beat in sifted dry ingredients, alternateingly with milk and baking soda mixture.

Fold in rhubarb.

Pour into a 9x9 pan.

Toppping: 1/2 cup sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Sprinkle over cake mixture.

Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes.

Makes a great coffee cake or afternoon snacking cake.