Tasty Tuesday on Saturday

         Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later, I missed my first TT post since starting this weekly recipe roundup! But, it wasn't my fault, blame Mother Nature who must be going through menopause, these mood swings are crazy! We got almost 14 in. of rain in 3 days, massive flooding all around me, very thankful to live on a hill, my neighbors below were probably wishing the same.  Lightening hit 2 towers in town knocking out internet for 5 days, all their equipment had to be replaced.  So, I'm playing catch up and clean up!

       It's never too late to share a special recipe, and this one comes from a royal Prince. Like many, I tuned in to watch the Royal wedding, didn't get up early, but I did watch from 6am to 8am with all the high lights and fuss! My Mom was born and raised in England so this was a must see and I was impressed by the Brits! I enjoyed it all! When I heard about the wedding cake being a fruit cake, I had to dive in, not your everyday holiday cake but a rich, fruit soaken piece of heaven! I'd love to try a slice!  The prince had something more sinful in mind for the groom's cake and that is the recipe I'm sharing this week. One of my sources sent me a email with the recipe, just look at that cake, no wonder it's fit for royalty I can't wait to try this, in my Mom's honor, I will.

Chocolate Biscuit Cake

Here's another version, from the Associated Press' Alison Ladman:  

   Yield: 12 servings

   For cake:

   1 (7-ounce) package butter tea biscuits (sold in the cookie aisle)

   1 cup heavy cream

   2 tablespoons honey

   1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter

   16 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips (about 2 1/2 cups)

   1 teaspoon vanilla extract

   For glaze:

   2 tablespoons butter

   1/4 cup heavy cream

   6 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips (about 1 cup)

   1. Make the cake. Coat a 7- or 8-inch round springform pan with cooking spray. Break up 
biscuits with your hands into 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces; you want chunks, not crumbs.

   2. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 cup cream, honey and 1/4 cup butter. Microwave 
on high for 1 1/2 minutes or until bubbling. Add 16 ounces chocolate and stir until smooth. Stir 
in vanilla, then crumbled biscuits.

   3. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan, using the back of the spoon to smooth the top. 
Gently tap the pan on the counter to eliminate any air pockets. Refrigerate for 3 hours or 
until thoroughly chilled.

   4. Once the cake is chilled, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat, 
combine 2 tablespoons butter and 1/4 cup cream. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Add 6
ounces chocolate, stirring until smooth.

   5. Carefully remove the sides from the springform pan (you may need to slide a paring knife 
around the inside upper edge to ensure the sides come away cleanly from the cake). Invert the 
cake onto a wire rack, then remove the bottom of the pan. Set the rack over parchment paper to
catch drips.

   6. Pour the glaze evenly over the cake, allowing it to drip down and completely cover the 
top and sides. Allow to firm up, then transfer to a serving plate. Refrigerate leftovers.

           So, weather you watched the Royal wedding or not, we all can agree on one thing, we all need a fairy tale to keep us in balance from the harsh side of life, and I will never give up on fairy tales or chocolate cake! 

Lasagna Gardening

           No, this isn't a Tasty Tuesday post or a recipe for lasagna, but it is about a layering system for your garden that claims "no digging, no tilling, no weeding, no kidding" ! Of course this all sounds too good to be true, so I"m putting it to the test this spring in our gardens. I'm devoting one bed to this system to see if it really works. I've heard alot of good reviews and who doesn't love the name, it sure makes you hungry for lasagna! With book in hand, thanks to my local library, I'm armed with details and instructions to begin this new way of gardening. I'll keep you posted and will blog along the way, till then, if anyone has tried this method, let me know, I'd love to hear about your experience with it!

          In case you haven't spotted my BlogFrog community yet, pop on over and get involved in the discussions that are up just waiting for you. This whole idea will allow us to get more involved with each other and share our stories, learn and grow. Just click on the button in the sidebar, hope to see you there too!

Tasty Tuesday

Ripped from the pages of the current Woman's Day magazine is my featured recipe for this week. 

You see, I needed a good seller for a fund raiser for my grandson's head start class, so when I spotted this pretty page , eyed the ingredients and off to bake I went! Very easy, pretty and yummy adds up to a good

turnout for a fund raiser! But don't wait till you need to bake something, treat your family to these black bottoms soon! 

1 8-oz pkg cream cheese

• 1 large egg
• 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1 cup mini–chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp pure vanilla 

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Line mini-muffin tins with paper liners. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese, egg, 1/3 cup of the sugar and 1/4 tsp of the salt in a large bowl until creamy; stir in the chocolate chips.

2. In a second large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, remaining cup of sugar and 1/2 tsp salt. Add the oil, vinegar, vanilla and 1 cup water, and mix until fully incorporated.

3. Spoon enough of the chocolate batter into each cup so that they are filled halfway (about 2 level tsp each). Top each with a rounded tsp of the creme cheese mixture, gently spreading it over the chocolate.

4. Bake until the cupcakes are puffed and barely golden, 15 to 20 minutes.

Tasty Tuesday

              I needed a dessert for a last minute family cookout, so I flung open my cupboards in hopes of finding a cake mix I had forgotten about, I did, a pineapple cake mix from Betty. Pineapple, why did I buy this? Probably for a upside down pineapple cake, but I didn't have enough pineapple so I thought......looked in the cupboards some more and then it hit me. I'll come up with my own cake idea, and let's call it  tropical delight. The photo above is not the cake I baked, can you believe I didn't have time to shoot it, so I'm using another one half baked! lol

Tropical Delight

1 box pineapple cake mix
1 can crushed pineapple, reserve juice
1 can cream cheese frosting
2 banana's
1 c. coconut
12 strawberries
Magic Shell chocolate syrup

Bake cake as directed but add crushed pineapple after you drain it and add the juice to the amount of water needed. I used 2 9 in round cake pans for layers but you could bake as a single layered cake too. Frost the first layer, then slice banana's on top. Place the top layer on and frost it, add more sliced banana's, strawberries and coconut. Now if your one of those odd balls that doesn't like coconut, just omit it. Follow directions on the magic shell and drizzle chocolate syrup all over the top, to your liking. We like it thick but still pretty, regular chocolate syrup works too but you will have to apply just before ready to serve or it may run, esp. if its warm. Serve with forks and watch the smiles! :)

       For something that I just put together in a rush was a huge hit and requested for a birthday already! So, since the fruit is light and reminds me of spring, I'll be making another one for Easter, so I thought you might like to try it too! enjoy!!

APRON SWAP UPDATE:
If you'd like to join us in the Mother's Day apron swap, you only have till the 15th so get signed up, just scroll down to that post and leave your name and email and a comment saying add me!

Remaining ♥ Hopeful

          Change never bothered me much, till the BIG change took over my life. It's not bad, in the early stages, 51 and hoping, hoping this is as bad as it gets? I'm managing on less sleep, more aches and pains but little time to dwell, so I hope.  Other changes are taking place, as you know, our newlyweds moved to Kentucky for jobs, doing well and are expecting a baby in November, crowning me a Grandma to 5 now!  All while another son is facing a divorce and a possible move out of town. Jobs are few and marriage doesn't seem to last forever anymore? Change please!

         The weather is a constant source of change this year too, and not for the good. Wind so sharp and wicked has landed in the Ozarks and won't vacate! Gusts up to 40 miles per hour does not make for a good gardening day! Rain is less than normal. And our temp. was 30 degrees warmer than normal yesterday, we hit 91 in April! I swore I wouldn't put the air on this early, but the poor dog just can't cool down and stop panting, plus the wind is so strong it's taking wall art off the walls! So, the air is on, only till tonight when a cool front and more severe storms are due to come through with rain and cooler temps. I welcome that change!

        But change can be good. I've been changing things around outside, a little landscape rearranging. Made a plant run too, but I'm not fighting the wind, they can wait. I did help my grand daughter, Chloe, plant some sunflower seeds yesterday, we hope to make a sunflower house soon. It makes my heart smile to know my grand daughters are flower girls too! :)

        I can handle my changes, I may not like them but I am a woman who will get through it and a Mom who will support and let go. The flock, no matter how old, is still young in my heart. The Government is another story, it is in need of a BIG change too!
          

Barn Charm

           This little old barn, right down town in West Plains, Mo., has been photographed by many, newbies and even a national magazine, and yearly by me. I caught the owner outside last spring and got to talking to her, a seasoned gardener in her 80's who was born and raised on this little farm. She never married, still tends to this 3 acre plot and has seen this down town area grow up, her house is almost the last one still standing among the subdivisions and new builds. Spring came early this year, but I was lucky to get a few of the red buds in this shot. Barn charm, right down town!

Tasty Tuesday

I've never made these before but I'd love to for Good Friday, I love food with tradition, don't you? 

I found this recipe at Allrecipes, one of my to go places for tested recipes that hasn't failed me yet.

• 3/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees 
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon instant powdered milk
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 3/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 egg white
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 3/4 cup dried currants
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons milk

1. Put warm water, butter, skim milk powder, 1/4 cup sugar, salt, egg, egg white, flour, and yeast in bread maker and start on dough program.
2. When 5 minutes of kneading are left, add currants and cinnamon. Leave in machine till double.
3. Punch down on floured surface, cover, and let rest 10 minutes.
4. Shape into 12 balls and place in a greased 9 x 12 inch pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place till double, about 35-40 minutes.
5. Mix egg yolk and 2 tablespoons water. Brush on balls.
6. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 20 minutes. Remove from pan immediately and cool on wire rack.
7. To make crosses: mix together confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and milk. Brush an X on each cooled bun.

Do you make any traditional foods for Easter? Would love to hear about it, I find the comfort in food to be the tradition's sometimes, extra comfort, can't beat that! 

Mother's Day Apron Swap

               I hope you're  all not swapped out yet, because I thought a Mother's Day apron swap would be a nice way to celebrate motherhood. Has everyone completed the spring apron swap and are enjoying your new aprons for the new season? We'd love to see them on our Flickr group, just head over to Flickr and search for CP Apron Swaps, ask to be invited and once accepted, you can post your photos for all of us to see and aww over!

       Ok, same rules apply to this swap as with the others, so if you've swapped before, you know how this works. If your new and would like to make and and swap aprons with us, just sign up on this post only. Everyone one who wants to join in on this swap must sign up on this post, just make sure you leave me your email address,  to keep it easy for me! You have till April 15th to do so, then you will be assigned a partner, then it's up to you to get the mailing info., likes and such. Mailing date is April 25th since Mother's day is May 8th. Tuckin's are required but please don't stress over them, just add a couple of goodies for Mom to go along with her new apron. Tea towels, stationary, candy, etc. are just a few examples. The style of apron depends on you and your partner and can be decided once you exchange emails.

     So, there you have it, the next apron swap, and I for one, am anxious to get creative again and come up with a classy/sassy apron to celebrate the best job in the world, motherhood! Who's joining me?