Cha Cha Cherries!

Do you love cherries too? I found the most juicy, sweet cherries at TWF grocery store. What do you do with yours? I ate half of them just as they were - so yummy. Then I found a recipe for Cherries Jubilee in this vintage 1960's Julia Child cookbook - she cooked it in the Seventy-fifth Show! Its menu featured Ham Dinner for Four in Half an Hour. (Egg-Stuffed Tomatoes; Pureed Peas and Watercress; Braised Leeks; and Cherries Jubilee). Although, I believe the only part that I would be interested in consuming is the ham and the cherries!

This cookbook is arranged by episode of The French Chef Cooking Show. I highly recommend it for it's entertainment value as well as the cooking techniques included. The show was a half hour - you can make a gourmet french meal in 30 minutes!

My son requested another apple pie......this time I let the pie bird do all the work.

And he did a great job; no drippings of lost filling!

Have a great week!
 
~Shelly

Pie Birds...so cute!

Browsing in a favorite antique shop I spotted a pie bird - he just made me smile; doesn't he look like he's singing a happy song?!

I decided that he needed a pie! So I baked him one. I made the filling with fresh apples - they smelled so good when I was peeling them. That's when you know the pie was going to be sweet.

It turned out sooo yummy - now I know his reason for singing!

Like the weekend the pie is all gone now. Hope yours was good too!

~Shelly

June

I know well that the June rains... Just fall. ~Onitsura

Every time I see the weather forecast it shows rain, rain, rain. Its hard to get any gardening done...perfect time to find something to do inside!

Strawberries...

Mixed with a little milk, flour, sugar, eggs, butter and vanilla .... and put into individual baking dishes;

yields yummy Strawberry Bread!

Paired with a cup of coffee and a book are a great way to spend a rainy afternoon!

Christmas Party Pics

Last night was my work Christmas Paty. I snapped some pics during setup last night. Our caterer did a wonderful job with our food and table scape. I really like the way she incorporated fresh fruit, it's so pretty. We have a great arts museum downtown, it's a fantastic place to have a party.

It's a work in progress.....

Yummy eclairs ~ desserts are always a favorite!

Beef Tenderloin anyone???

How about this bowl of buns! Carbo heaven!!!

Ambrosia torte is the best! Forget the crackers, I like it with everything. Gotta find a recipe when I have some time.

This serving piece cover was so pretty, I just love it!

One view from the third floor.

The skyline of the Mississippi River Bridge......It was a beautiful night for a party.

I'm going to spend some time with my family this weekend.

Hope you have a great one too!

Shelly

Dangerous Chocolate Cake

Sunday night, home alone who wants cake? I do, I do! But just a little bit of cake.....so what to do? Make a cake in a mug! hugh?

This recipe came to me via email a while back and I hadn't had a chance to try it yet....so here's what you do (the recipe follows). Mix ingredients and microwave.

I used a big mug because I wasn't sure how much space the ingredients would take.It did reach the top of this mug, but went back down after cooking!

Transfer to a plate for dining!

Yummy! I have to tell you it wasn't bad at all. All of my chocolate chips ended up in the center for some reason, though. It was very sweet and didn't need icing! This fall when it's too cold to get out I'll probably experiment with a few different versions. It's a pretty good emergency gotta have cake recipe! All the mixing was in the mug ~ I used the measuring spoons and a fork to stir. The kids will love this, it's pretty fun, too!!

Dangerous Chocolate Cake-in-a-Mug

* 1 coffee mug
* 4 Tbsp. cake flour (plain, not self-rising)

* 4 Tbsp. sugar
* 2 Tbsp. cocoa
* 1 egg (used a jumbo egg - all I had on hand)
* 3 Tbsp. milk
* 3 Tbsp. oil (used Enova oil)
* Small splash of vanilla
* 3 Tbsp. chocolate chips, optional (you can add a few chopped walnuts)

Add dry ingredients to mug and mix well with a fork.
Add egg then mix thoroughly.
Pour in milk and oil and vanilla, mix well.
Add chips, if using.
Put mug in microwave and cook for three minutes on 1000 watts.
(Really fun to watch) I stopped at 2 1/2)
Cake will rise over top of mug--do not be alarmed!
Allow to cool slightly; tip onto a plate if desired. (Comes out great
and cut into four long pieces)
Add some drizzles of chocolate syrup and some Cool Whip, or you could add canned frosting, too.

I was told that the batter does rise up 'way over the top of the mug, but doesn't run down the side. Fun to watch!
Note: Be careful not to overcook-some microwaves are higher than 1000 watts, and three minutes was a dab too long--dried the cakes out a little bit.
Be sure to watch it the whole time it's baking in the microwave, although
they say it's not good to stand near the microwave!!!

Q. Why is this cake the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?
A. Because now we are all only five minutes away from chocolate cake any time of the day or night!!!