Wednesday, August 19, 2009

AlleyKat's Favorite Chocolate Cake

Everyone loves chocolate and there's no indulgence we crave more than chocolate cake. This is my favorite recipe -- it makes a moist, chocolately chocolate cake. If you want a layer cake, it goes great with a berry filling or a whipped chocolate ganache.

AlleyKat's Favorite Chocolate Cake

2 cups + 1 tbs boiling water
1 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
2 1/4 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract



DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 3 - 9 inch round cake pans (or a bunt pan, if you prefer not to serve it as a layer). In medium bowl, pour boiling water over cocoa, and whisk until smooth. Let mixture cool. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.

2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at time, then stir in vanilla. Add the flour mixture alternately with the cocoa mixture. Spread batter evenly between the 3 prepared pans.

3. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Allow to cool.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Curried Quinoa

Quinoa is my favorite grain. It's quick to cook and tasty, makes a great side dish or vegetarian main. This recipe has a mild curry flavor and cashews which enhance the quinoa's natural nuttiness.

Curried Quinoa

1 cup quinoa
1 cup water
1 cup chicken broth

1 sweet onion chopped
3 carrots roughly chopped into smaller pieces
1 cup chopped spinach
1/3 cup currants, soaked for several hours
1/3 cup cashews

1/2 - 1 tsp curry powder
juice of 1/2 lemon
salt and pepper to taste
fresh cilantro
1 tbsp olive oil + some to saute vegetables

Saute onions and carrots in olive oil until onions have begun to caramelize. Add 1/4 tsp curry powder, a dash salt and continue to cook until onions are browned.

Combine water and chicken broth in pot and bring to boil. Add quinoa and reduced to medium. Quinoa takes only about 15 minutes to cook. While there is still some liquid in the pot, add the chopped spinach, cilantro and the curry powder.

Once cooked add the onions and carrots, currants and cashews. Toss with olive oil and lime juice. Serve as a side or as a main.