Sunday, May 15, 2011

Devil's Food Cake

Devil's Food Cake

I was trying to find out the origin for the name of this cake and learned Devil's Food Cake is a name bestowed in the United States early on in the 20th century. I always prefer to bake my cakes from scratch since for me it is a lot of fun and a relaxing hobby. However, today is a rainy day here in NYC, and I had a box mix in my pantry and thought what a perfect dessert to compliment this dreary weather.

The Pillsbury Moist Supreme Devil's Food mix works beautifully. The mix has already done all the hard work for you, saves time on dishes, and the cake is super moist and chocolatey rich. It also stores well in your refrigerator for about 3-4 days so you can enjoy this sinfully rich cake for days.

I added 2 tablespoons of Pure Vanilla Extract for a more intense depth of flavor, and instead of adding 1 1/4 cups of water I used whole milk for a richer, denser cake consistency. Make sure to cool cakes completely before frosting them. If you don't, the frosting will not set correctly. The frosting I used is Pillsbury Creamy Supreme Milk Chocolate. Just let the frosting set at room temperature for about an hour or two before serving.

Enjoy!

-Sophia/Two Frys

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Grilled Potatoes -N- Baked Chicken Legs

Grilled Potatoes -N- Baked Chicken Legs

Last night, I was inspired to cook this yummy comfort food dinner Grilled Potatoes -N- Baked Chicken Legs after watching Paula Deen on the Food Network make this on her indoor grill. I used my own seasoning ingredients. Recipes follow.

Grilled Potatoes
Grilled Potatoes Recipe:
Rinse potatoes in cold water

Cut potatoes in about 1 inch slices

Place sliced potatoes in a large pot of cold water

Add 2 tablespoons of coarse salt to the pot

Once the water boils, continue to cook for about 6 minutes

The potatoes will not be cooked entirely

Melt 1 stick of salted butter in a small pan

Drain the potatoes and lay them out on your cutting board

Preheat your grill

Season potatoes with coarse salt and cracked black pepper, and with a brush slather on the melted butter

Place seasoned/buttered potatoes on the grill for 3-4 minutes to finish cooking them and to get grill marks

Before you turn over the potatoes season them

Flip the potatoes over and grill for 3-4 minutes

Sprinkle some greens like basil over them if you want when you serve

Baked Chicken Legs
Baked Chicken Legs Recipe:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Rinse chicken legs in cold water and pat dry with paper towels

Take a Pyrex glass dish or whatever baking dish you have and place chicken legs in the dish

Take 1 tablespoon of good olive oil and pour into dish, and with a brush gently coat the chicken legs

Season with coarse salt (kosher salt)

Season generously with Poultry Seasoning (I use Badia)

Cook for about 1 hour turning chicken legs after a half hour

Sprinkle some basil on them and serve

-Sophia/Two Frys

Monday, May 9, 2011

Dominican Cake for Mom on Mother's Day

Dominican Cake for Mom on Mother's Day

Dominican Cake I made for my Mom for Mother's Day
Yesterday, I baked a Dominican Cake for my Mom for Mother's Day. My Mom turns 81 next month and she has a sweet tooth too. She taught me how to make this cake in February (see link to recipe below) and I thought it would be nice if I baked one for her. The only thing I added to the cake batter was 1 teaspoon of lemon zest and added that in with the vanilla extract and salt. I used yellow dye for the frosting for a change up. This cake has a rich texture and it is so delicious.

Mom was happy I made her a cake and she helped herself to two servings. I frosted the cake on the base of my cake caddy for convenience and it is more stable that way since I had to transport it to her place. Last time I baked a cake for my family (Easter), I placed the cake on a serving platter and then in the cake caddy and it was moving around a little though nothing happened thankfully.

You can get the Dominican Cake recipe here:
http://twofrys.blogspot.com/2011/02/dominican-cake.html.

Enjoy!

-Sophia/Two Frys

Monday, May 2, 2011

Chocolate Mousse Cake

Chocolate Mousse Cake

Chocolate Mousse Cake
This weekend, hubby and I went to Caesars Atlantic City for the weekend to relax and celebrate the completion and submission of my Master's thesis and upcoming graduation. Yay, I did it! This chocolate mousse cake represents all that is divine and celebratory. Well, at least to me it does and that is all that matters. I had this beautiful and delicious piece of chocolate mousse cake after my yummy dinner at Caesars in La Piazza. It was the best chocolate cake I ever had. It was so moist, creamy, and rich. I thank whoever baked and decorated it. Truly sublime. It was a perfect end to my getaway.

-Sophia/Two Frys