Comfort Foods

Howdy, 

First of the menu, Penne and Arrabbiata Sauce with a tangy carrot and tangelo salad! Pasta will always be a comfort food for many, us included. We tend to watch our carbs so this was a real treat!

This is another dish that I came home to. My sweet hubby already had it prepared and even down-played the spiciness on my portion. I guess Arrabbiata means "angry sauce" named for it's heat/spice due to the combination of tomatoes, garlic and dried red peppers. I didn't mind the spice it had and found the creamy mozzarella melting around the pasta  mouth-watering! I mean...who wouldn't! It was glorious! 

The side dish of carrots and tangelo was juicy and hearty. I enjoyed it a lot. A combo that neither of us would have thought to put together. 

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Next we have the yummiest comfort food of them all, grilled cheese! This specific grilled cheese has a healthy twist including beets that I very much appreciated. I present Fontina and Beet Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. For these I need to quote straight from the card, 

"These gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches combine creamy fontina with sautéed arugula and—for a layer of delightfully earthy, tart and sweet flavor—pickled beets." 

That would have been enough for me to down this sweet sandwich but then you rub garlic on the toasted sourdough. Come on....amazing! The citrus salad was very seasonal and refreshing as well. Good flavor combo.

Such a perfect comfort food feeling. Brought me right back to my mom's kitchen. I will definitely have to remake this!

Thanks, 

Bunny

Totally Surprised Birthday Cake

Howdy! 

I was missin True Blood somethin awful, plus I just got my new "Cake" dress in the mail so I thought how perfect!! Check out the link below to Amourdress. Now let's make a delicious cake to celebrate! 

In the True Blood Eats Drinks and Bites Cookbook there is a recipe for an awesome vanilla cake with lemon filling...OMG it was just begging to be made! This is the cake that Maryann, Karl and Eggs surprise Tara with for her birthday! Now I have never really made a cake from scratch...so it was a long process but completely worth it.

To start I made the lemon filling by combining the sugar, cornstarch and salt in a medium pan. I gradually stirred, bringing it to a boil over medium heat. After about a minute I removed the pan and stirred in the butter and lemon zest and gradually whisked in the lemon juice. Then set it aside to cool. I found that one good sized lemon made just enough juice and zest! After it had cooled I had a small taste and it was just like a lemon square...one of my favorite desserts!

Quickly I made the berry topping by slicing up strawberries and raspberries and sprinkling them with sugar. For the cake mix, I first preheated the oven to 350 degrees and greased/flowered two round pans. 

In my large mixing bowl I blended the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt then slowly added in the shortening, 2/3 cup of milk and vanilla. 

After mixing for about 2 minutes I added the remaining 1/3 cup of milk and the egg whites. Making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl I mixed for a few more minutes and then the batter was ready to go into the pans! Jack was so interested but don't worry I didn't let him have any he he!

After pouring in the batter and placing the pans in the oven (for 30 mins) I started on the frosting. 

First I beat the egg whites until they formed soft peaks, then in a pan I heated up the sugar, corn syrup and water bringing it to a boil. Using a thermometer I made sure the mixture reached 242 degrees. Once it was ready I slowly poured it into the egg whites while the mixer was running. I kept mixing until the frosting held stiff peaks, then added in the vanilla! This frosting was probably the most difficult task in making this cake...we had some trouble with the sugar hardening but that's what this is for, to learn! I think I might have to try it again sometime he he.

After the cakes were done baking and had cooled I took one layer, flipped it, and spread the lemon filling on, almost to the outer edge. I placed the second layer, right-side up, on top of the filling. I took the frosting and started with the sides of the cake and moved to the top, evenly covering the cake. Once the frosting was on I added the yummy berries, letting their juices flow down the sides of the cake. 

The frosting was a bit melty he he! but it tasted so good! The cake itself was hardy and rich and definitely tasted home-made. The lemon filling was really tasty...the bit of tart helped to cut the sugary frosting, complimenting it. Absolutely the most perfect birthday cake...very much a good old-fashioned strawberry shortcake! I had to make myself stop eating it he he! SO GOOD!

My awesome dress is from Amourdress on Etsy: LINK

Thanks for readin!! 

Cheers, Bunny