Thursday, June 20, 2013

Chocolate Cake


It just occurred to me that today is Thursday.  The weekend is just around the corner.  : )

This little recipe might be what you're looking for if you need to bake a dessert this weekend.  Epicurious credits Leigh McLean and Sweet Dreams Bakery in Memphis.  It was in the September, 1995 issue of Bon Appetit and, since then, you can find it online on multiple blogs. 

Chocolate cake - simple, quick, easy and good.  This recipe doesn't use milk or eggs which is great if your friends are vegan or lactose intolerant.  It's also a very versatile recipe and can be baked multiple ways.  I've baked this cake twice in the past month - once as cupcakes for picnic birthday and last weekend for Father's Day.  

Chocolate Cake

3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix together in mixing bowl.

2 cups cold water
1 cup corn oil
1 tablespoon vanilla

Add wet ingredients and mix.
Grease and flour pans.
(I also use parchment paper.)
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 - 35 minutes.

NOTES:
*** cupcakes - 22 minutes / 28 large cupcakes
*** two 9-inch round pans - 35 minutes

You can also try:
- three 8-inch round pans
- 9x13 rectangle pan plus one 8-inch round
- two 8-inch square pans or 7x11 rectangle pans
- 10x15 jelly roll pan

If you'd like to reduce this recipe, the University of Nebraska - Lincoln has a great one-page PDF you can print out that tells you what measurements to use if you want to make just 1/3 or 1/2 of a recipe.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Sausages with Cranberry Rhubarb Sauce


It was a marathon and a personal challenge!

So much rhubarb and I was determined to step out of the box and try something other than the usual Rhubarb Crisp.  

Not that I don't like Rhubarb Crisp!  On the contrary, but...

It was time to move on...

... to Rhubarb Sorbet and Rhubarb Strawberry Jam and last night's dinner...

Sausages with Cranberry Rhubarb Sauce
Sausages with Cranberry Rhubarb Sauce

1 - 2 pounds sausages (I used Hot Italian.)
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
1 tablespoon olive oil

Gently saute sausages and red onion (about 5 minutes).

1 cup cranberries
1 cup chopped rhubarb
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar

Stir in remaining ingredients.
Simmer (covered) for 30 minutes.

Enjoy the weekend!
Maggie

PS  Have you checked out Weekend Potluck #71 this weekend?  Lots of great recipes!


Friday, June 14, 2013

Maggie's Strawberry Rhubarb Jam - super simple and only four ingredients!

Maggie's Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

Chez nous, it's still all about the rhubarb! 

I've had great fun experimenting with Rhubarb Sorbet, salad dressings, a Cranberry Rhubarb Sausage dish and JAM!  : )

I made this Strawberry Rhubarb jam last night - super simple, only a few ingredients and it tastes like summer.  

Note:  It's important to use a skillet... more evaporation with the larger surface area.



Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

3 cups rhubarb, cut into small pieces
1  1/2 cups strawberries, roughly cut
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup Cointreau

Simmer in skillet for 50 minutes.
Stir every five minutes or so.

This recipe makes just a tiny batch (about 1.5 cups).  
Store in fridge.  Enjoy!


Check out Weekend Potluck # 71
for this recipe and lots of other great recipes.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Rhubarb Sorbet

Rhubarb Sorbet
adapted from Bon Appetit, 1995

Just back from an unexpected trip...

...to a VERY wild garden...

...and SO MUCH RHUBARB!

After some searching, I discovered a very simple recipe for Rhubarb Sorbet on Epicurious.  It's a creation of Chef Bryan Webb and was first published in Bon Appetit in 1995.  

Here's my version (modified from the original)... 

I was very pleased with the results and will definitely try this again!

Rhubarb Sorbet

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup water
juice of 1/2 a lemon

In medium saucepan, dissolve sugar and bring to a boil.

1 pound finely chopped rhubarb (about 4 cups)

Add rhubarb and simmer for 10 - 15 minutes.
Puree in blender; refrigerate until cold.
Follow directions to process in ice cream maker.
Freeze.  Will keep for several days.

Serve small portions with a simple square or sugar cookie.

Check out Weekend Potluck # 71
for this recipe and many other tasty treats!