Daring Bakers' Challenge: Perfect Party Cake

This month's Daring Bakers' Challenge was hosted by Morven at Food Art and Random Thoughts.

She chose what turned out to be the best cake I've ever had - and my entire family feels the same way. Dorie Greenspan's Perfect Party Cake from her book Baking: From My Home to Yours, is just that; perfect.

I made this one twice, for two reasons. The first was that I didn't think the cake was supposed to be so flat. It really doesn't rise much at all. It was so good, though that I thought it must be right. When I checked with other DBers I found that they had the same "problem", which wasn't a problem after all. The second reason was that the cake was so good, there was no reason not to make it again.

The full recipe can be found at the above link to Morven's blog and these are two photos of the delectable confection:





**I feel like I need a little addendum here ... this cake does not really look pretty. At all. Anyone who reads this blog regularly knows that for me to have attempted to actually decorate this cake would have ended in a very disastrous manner. I can cook. I can bake. I do both very well, but decorating? Not my thing for some very odd reason. The cake was absofabulosodelicious, though!

Festa Italiana Time!

Entries are in for Festa Italiana, hosted by Marie of Proud Italian Cook and Maryann of Finding La Dolce Vita!


There were so many delicious submissions that they both have listings on their blogs. Please go and look at these fabulous dishes! My own entry is HERE.

Middle-of-the-week dinner

Artery clogging with a little fattening on the side and greens to balance out my conscience.



Little meatloaves - the kind made in mammoth muffin tins and covered in BBQ sauce with Pierogi Casserole smothered in caramelized onions, and roasted broccoli and field greens salad.

Our Big Day Turned Out to be Far Smaller

Well, somehow communications got garbled and none of the specialists were at the office today. No trauma doctors, no hand specialist. Tuesday is the only day they are there and we'll be going back April 8th.

I guess we got a free (not really) sight-seeing trip to Philly today.

Thanks so much for all the well-wishes!

Royal Foodie Joust Entry

This is my very first "Royal Foodie Joust" and my entry is:

Butterflied Shrimp on Coconut Risotto with Avocado, Lime and Cilantro Cream
Printable Recipe

I know I shouldn't pat myself on the back, but this was so good I could have eaten all 4 servings! If I ever get that restaurant to run, this will be on the menu!


For 4 Servings:

Risotto:

1 cup arborio rice
1 can (14 oz.) coconut milk
2 - 3 cups chicken stock
1 Tablespoon sliced green onion
1 Tablespoon neutral oil
1/4 cup shredded coconut - toasted

Shrimp:

12 large shrimp - tails on and butterflied (sliced down the back nearly all the way through)
1 Tablespoon neutral oil

Cream:

1/4 cup packed cilantro leaves
1/2 small avocado
1 Tablespoon lime juice
1/4 cup sour cream


Make the risotto:

Saute green onion in 1 T oil briefly. Add rice and toast lightly. Mix coconut milk and chicken stock.
Add stock mixture to rice one cup at a time - letting rice absorb stock before adding another cup.
Add the toasted coconut after the second cup of stock.
Stir nearly constantly. When you get to the 20 minute mark, check the rice for consistency.
Once the rice is al dente and creamy, you're done. You may or may not use all of the stock.
Keep warm.

Make the cream:

Combine cilantro, avocado, lime and sour cream in a blender. Puree until very smooth.

Make the shrimp:

Pan-fry the shrimp - cut side down - until lightly browned. This will take about 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water to the pan so the shrimp will finish cooking and curl slightly. This will take just another 2 minutes or so.

For service I used coconut halves filled with risotto and topped with 3 shrimp each. Place a
dollop of cream on each shrimp and garnish with a sprinkling of toasted coconut and a cilantro leaf.