Thunder Cake

Thunder Cake!
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream together one at a time:
1 cup shortening
1 3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs, separated
( blend yolks in. Beat whites until they are stiff, then fold in.)

1 cup cold water
1/3 cup pureed tomatoes
Sift together:
21/2 cups cake flour
1/2 cup dry cocoa
11/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
Mix dry mixture into creamy mixture. Bake in two greased and floured 8
1/2 inch pans at 350 degree for 35 to 40 minutes. I do recommend checking at the 15 mark, if over cook it does become dry.

Quick Chocolate ButterCream Frosting From William Sonoma

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 6 cups confectioners' sugar
• 16 Tbs. (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 6 Tbs. milk, plus more, if needed
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. salt

Directions:

Have all the ingredients at room temperature.

Put the chocolate in the top pan of a double boiler set over but not touching simmering water in the bottom pan. Stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Let cool to room temperature.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the flat beater, combine the confectioners' sugar, butter, the 6 Tbs. milk, the vanilla and salt and beat on low speed until combined, about 1 minute. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Increase the speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes, then reduce the speed to low. Add the chocolate and beat until combined, then increase the speed to medium and beat for 1 minute more.

If the frosting is dry, add more milk, 1 tsp. at a time, until it is creamy but still holds peaks. Makes about 4 1/2 cups.

Williams-Sonoma Kitchen

ENJOY!!! It is a Russia cake recipe.

Beer Bread

Ingredients:

Servings:
6 6

6-8

Servings Size

• 3 cups flour (sifted)
• 3 teaspoons baking powder (omit if using Self-Rising Flour)
• 1 teaspoon salt (omit if using Self-Rising Flour)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 (12 ounce) can beer
• 1/2 cup melted butter (1/4 cup will do just fine)
Change Measurements: US | Metric

Directions:

Prep Time: 3 mins
Total Time: 1 hr

1. 1 Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. 2 Mix dry ingredients and beer.
3. 3 Pour into a greased loaf pan.
4. 4 Pour melted butter over mixture.
5. 5 Bake 1 hour, remove from pan and cool for at least 15 minutes.
6. 6 UPDATED NOTES: This recipe makes a very hearty bread with a crunchy, buttery crust. If you prefer a softer crust (like a traditional bread) mix the butter into the batter instead of pouring it over the top.
7. 7 Sifting flour for bread recipes is a must-do. Most people just scoop the 1 cup measure in the flour canister and level it off. That compacts the flour and will turn your bread into a "hard biscuit" as some have described. That's because they aren't sifting their flour! If you do not have a sifter, use a spoon to spoon the flour into the 1 cup measure. Try it once the "correct" way and you will see an amazing difference in the end product.
8. 8 I have had many email from you kind folks about using non-alcoholic beverages instead of beer. That is fine to do but I highly recommend adding a packet of Dry Active Yeast or 2 teaspoons of Bread (Machine) Yeast so that you get a proper rise.
9. 9 The final result should be a thick, hearty and very tasteful bread, NOT A BRICK! ;).
10. 10 Thank you all for the incredibly nice comments and those of you who left a bad review - learn to sift sift SIFT! You will be amazed at the results you get.

New Things

So recently i was given the recipe for Disney Cornbread muffins. Sadly the recipe given to me makes 120 muffins. I gave it to Erin and she going to try and make the recipe smaller.
Lately I have been very busy with school and everything. I do have new recipes I want to post it is just finding the time. But i have a feeling that once summer hits and things die down more recipes will be up. I hope everyone is happy and healthy>

Box cake mix and Can frosting

So I have come to the realization that box cake mix and frosting from a can taste really bad! No wonder people don't like cake! I am doing some cupcakes for a wedding and they wanted box cake with this one kind of canned frosting. It's and easy job for me but as I was tasting the stuff it doesn't taste good at all. The frosting looks like some sort of soft putty and one finger full will give you a sugar high for the rest of the day and the cake itself has a funny aftertaste. Ok sorry that is my rant on box cake mix. I guess I have just gotten spoiled =D

Polish Sweet Bread

My Grandmother's bread. I grew up with this and think it is pure heaven.

2 cups of sugar
1/2 cups of butter
2 cups of buttermilk
1 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
4 cups of flour
1 tsp of salt
2 tsp of baking powder
raisins are optional (I don't add them)

Topping:
1/2 cup of butter
1 1/4 cup of flour
1/2 sugar
mix in a small bowl

In a large bowl cream sugar eggs and butter. In another bowl flour salt baking soda and baking powder.
Combine egg mixture with flour mixture plus buttermilk.
Add Raisins last (ewww.)
Pour into 2 well greased loaf pans and sprinkle topping on batter

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Country Captain Chicken

SO Taber and I had this at Beth and Danny Ruiz. Beth said it is from Rachel Ray 30mins. It was a pleasant surprise to me. I do not like bell peppers but I got to say mixed with the raises I was ok eating them.
2 3/4 cups of water
1 tablespoon butter
1 1/2 cups of white and wild rice or long grain rice
2/3 cups of flour, eyeball it
1 rounded tablespoon sweet paprike
4 pieces, 6 ounces each, boneless, skinless chicken breast
3 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
salt and pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 turns of the pan
2 Tablespoons butter
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 medium onion chopped
2 or 3 cloves of garlic smashed
1 table spoon curry powered or mild curry paste
1 cup of chicken broth
1 can of diced tomatoes in puree or chunky style crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup golden raisins or currants a couple of handfuls
2 ounces, 1 small pouch, sliced almonds lightly toasted
3 scallions, chopped for garnish

Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add butter and rice and return water to boil. Reduce heat to low and cover the pot. Cook rice 20 minutes or until tender. Turn off heat and fluff rice with a fork. Combine flour and paprika in a shallow dish. season chicken with salt and pepper. cut each chicken breast and thigh in 1/2 on an angle. Coat chicken pieces in paprika seasoned flour. wash your hands and chicken work surfaces thoroughly.

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add oil to the pan. Brown chicken pieces. 3 minutes on each side and remove from the skillet. add butter to the pan, then stir in peppers, onions and garlic. season the veggies with salt and pepper and saute them 5 to 7 minutes to soften. add curry, stock, tomatoes, and raisins. Slide chicken back into the skillet and simmer over moderate heat for 5 minutes to combine flavors and finish cooking the chicken through. Place skillet on a trivet and serve the chicken from the pan. Garnish the country captain's chicken with the sliced almonds. Transfer rice to a serving dish and garnish with chapped scallions.

Boneless Buffalo Wings

Serves 2-3
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black peppe
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp paprika
1 egg
1 cup milk
2 chicken breast fillets
4-6 cups vegetable oil(or half crisco and half veggie oil)
1/4 cup hot sauce (Crystals or Frank's Louisiana)
1 Tablespoon butter

1. Combine flour, salt, peppers and paprika in a medium bowl
2. In another small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk.
3. Slice each chicken breast into 6 pieces or however big you want your "wings"
4. Preheat the vegetable/crisco oil in a deep fryer until hot
5. One or two at a time, dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture then into the flour/spice blend.      Repeat the process so each piece of chicken is double coated, then place on a plate. Once all the            chicken pieces are coated chill the chicken for 15 minutes.
6. When the chicken is done resting, drop each piece into the hot oil and fry for 5-6 minutes or until       each piece is brown and chicken is cooked.
7. As the chicken fries combine the hot sauce and butter in a small microwavable bowl. Microwave        the sauce for 20-30 seconds or until butter is melted. Stir to combine. Or heat the butter and sauce      in small saucepan over the stove top and stir until ingredients are blended.
8. When chicken is done frying, remove onto a plate lined with paper towels.
9. Place the chicken into a container with a cover and pour the sauce over the chicken. Cover with lid and gently shake until each piece of chicken is coated in the sauce.
10. Pour the chicken onto a place and serve with your favorite sides.

 I made them into Buffalo burgers. Just cut the chicken breast in half and pound them out a little flatter, then follow all the rest of the instructions. Serve them on hamburger buns with mayo, lettuce, pickles and tomatos. It was really yummy!