Archive for October, 2012
A Red Velvet Cake Hug
This is a guest blog from Sarah James, a writer and 
camper who spreads cheer through food. Check out her blog: Mountainman Approved.
Every grandma has a signature recipe. One dish, whether it be sweet or savory, that embodies all of the love and care a grandma could possess. It’s a dish greeted by “oohs” and “ahhs”. Eyes close and time stops as the first bite is savored and followed by sighs of blissful satisfaction.
While these recipes are beyond mouthwatering, what makes them special is the magic that they hold. Each bite eases heartache, wipes away tears, and soothes stress. They are the ultimate comfort food.
Over the past six months I’ve experienced plenty of heartbreak. A breakup, ailing grandparents, illness and a sexual assault, but no matter what life throws at me, I always find myself in the kitchen, recreating some of my Grandma’s iconic recipes. I’ve sought comfort in Grandma’s cooking: from melt-in-your-mouth Velveteen cookies, covered in sugary Day-Glo sprinkles, to flaky crusts filled with tender apples, sweet peaches and tart cherries.
The one recipe that I keep repeating is her infamous Red Carpet Cake. Also known as a Red Velvet Cake, this tower of crimson perfection always fills my bruised heart with sugar-coated happiness.
A little butter, a splash of vanilla, a shower of sugar and a hit of cocoa, are blended together and baked into three layers of moist cake, stacked and held together with the most decadent of icings—a cooked white frosting that is absolute heaven, and mends a broken heart.
If things are rough in your life, break out the cake pans and cut yourself a slice of this magical dessert.
One Response to “A Red Velvet Cake Hug”
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Halloween Finger Food
High-five for Halloween Finger Food.
Posting this again for those who didn’t see it a couple of years ago. The story is old, but the recipe is still frighteningly good.
Harumph. I’ve never been a big fan of Halloween. Adults in costume? Puh-leeze. But I do like to entertain. And Halloween is yet another good excuse for a party. The year I was laid off, boo-hoo, I rented out a room in my house to help ease my financial burden. It was late October. The new roomie talked me into hosting a Halloween party. With costumes. Ick.
I had been laid off after 13 years of editing and writing about food…and developing recipes…and was in a witchy mood.
“Bitter, party of one, your table is ready.”
But in the spirit of the holiday I adopted a devil-may-care attitude. (OK. That’s enough of the Halloween puns.)
Although I don’t do costumes, I felt somewhat obligated to come up with appropriate attire for my Halloween gathering. Read More >>
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Lovely! Food heals so many sorrows, soothes so much pain. And food evokes emotions and connections. The last cake I ever baked with and for my brother was his favorite Red Velvet Cake so this has meaning for me as well. I will try your grandma’s recipe, Sarah.