Bailey's Fudge Cake

In honor of St Patrick's Day I decided to make the Bailey's Fudge Cake from Not Quite June Cleaver. I left out the nuts and we actually ate it while it was still warm and it was delicious! Kind of boozy but if you like Bailey's it was perfect. Follow the link if you want, I think it is a must try:)

Marmalade

I love marmalade, it can't be just any marmalade though it has to have finer bits of peel and a real acidic flavor. I don't admire the jarringly sweet heavily laden peel versions and this is a great one. I have always relied on my step mom Mary to donate her citrus marmalade to my cause and I have never made the jump to making it on my own but this time I did and it turned out really good.

I used a recipe off of the pectin box but changed it to using 3 oranges, 2 grapefruits and 2 lemons and I made up the measurements they call for with those instead. I also chopped the peal in my food processor so it is nice and fine and when I peeled it off I used my peeler so it made thin translucent strips of peel. Not only a aromatic exercise of pretty as well. It is great warm and glazed on white meats but yummy on toast in the morning with coffee!

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1 Tbs Dijon mustard
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/4 tsp salt and pepper
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 c rolled oats
• 2 Tbs olive oil

In a small bowl combine all ingredients until just combined. Form into 1 inch meatballs and fry in a large skillet in the olive oil until all sides are golden. Remove and set aside.

• 1/2 c sliced carrots
• 1/2 c red bell peppers, sliced
• 8 oz can pineapple chunks, juice reserved
• 1 c orange juice
• 2 Tbs soy sauce
• 2 Tbs corn starch
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

In the hot skillet with the remaining oil left from cooking the meat saute the carrot and peppers until almost tender. While that is cooking stir together the juices, soy sauce, corn starch and pepper, set aside. Once the veggies are cooked put in the meatballs and the pineapple and warm through together for a minute. Stir in the sauce and continue stirring until it is thickened and glossy. Serve over white rice.

Birthday Cake

So I had to post a picture of my pretty cake. I made it for a pre-birthday party and it was a box cake and I filled it with cherry pie filling and then frosted it and poured a ganache over the top but it was very tasty and just what I was wanting! Pie filling is a great way to go especially with a chocolate cake to keep it moist and help lighten things up. I am a Black Forest Cake fan and this was a good riff on that.