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The Challenge

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I’m going after my arch nemesis. That’s right! The Baked Alaska.

I’m gonna take you down, Baked Alaska! Take. You. Down.

A Baked Alaska is essentially ice cream on top of a sponge cake, coated with meringue and baked just long enough to brown the exterior of the meringue. You may remember the story I told about my first and only Baked Alaska attempt, which resulted in a tray of melted ice cream. That was too long ago to identify my misstep. But I’m going after it again!

So, who’s with me?  Anyone else got an itch to battle the big baked frozen treat?

Here’s the deal…

Whip up any version of a Baked Alaska sometime in the next week. Use any recipe, any ice cream flavor(s), any flavor sponge (or pound) cake.  Make your own sponge cake or buy one.  The only requirement is that you have a cake base, ice cream, and meringue.

There are several recipes for Baked Alaska at www.foodnetwork.com or www.epicurious.com Use one of those recipes or create your own version.

For better or worse, I’ll be writing about my showdown with the Baked Alaska a week from today. I’d love to hear how your attempts go! Remember, what’s the worst that can happen?  It melts?  Big whoop.  Take a picture and laugh at it.

I’m coming for you, Baked Alaska!  You, me, a mound of ice cream, and an extremely hot oven. Let’s do this.

Who’s with me??

In appreciation of Long Island weddings…

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The morning of my friend’s wedding, my husband could not stop himself from eating two bagels; one with bacon, egg, and cheese and the other with scallion cream cheese. I chastised him, “What are you thinking?? Remember that you are attending a Long Island wedding today!”

For those uninitiated in Long Island weddings, you must prepare. For the feast will be more plentiful than anything you’ve ever experienced.

The cocktail hour itself is a bountiful buffet.  Crisp vegetables, fresh fruits, cheese, and olives adorn one table. A short walk away you’ll find a French crepe station with your choice of seafood or fruit crepes. Tables of fried rice with sesame chicken, sushi, and seafood paella are scattered throughout the cocktail area.  And don’t forget the roast turkey carving station or mashed potato bar!

Vegetable Crudite and Dip

Wine Bar

Mashed Potato Bar

Mashed Potato Bar Toppings

I had sweet potatoes with marshmallows, brown sugar, and BACON!!

Roast Turkey, anyone?

My first plate of cocktail hour goodies

After the cocktail hour, the party moves into the ballroom where a salad, decked with cheese and adorned with fresh fruits is waiting at your table.

Choose your main entree from the delicious options. But don’t worry, because you’ll have the opportunity for seconds of any entree!

Chicken Florentine

Filet of Norwegian Salmon en Croute aka "Croissanty the Whale"

Those things, which look like mushrooms, are actually roasted potatoes.

And then there is dessert, of course!

Bananas Foster Flambe, alongside an ice cream sundae bar.

Have I mentioned the open bar, with drinks refilled faster than they can be emptied? (My husband was fairly certain that our waiter was challenging him to some sort of drinking contest.)

Pour me another, bartender!

A beautiful wedding for a beautiful couple.  Wishing them a well-deserved lifetime of love and happiness. Cheers!

Cheers!

Balance

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It’s all about balance.

I like to eat healthy. But, I’ve got a thing for ice cream and cookies. I like to eat clean, avoid preservatives and choose organic ingredients. But, I also enjoy the occasional Big Mac and fries. I feed my children fresh, nutritious foods.  But, they also eat candy. I cook most nights. But, we also have take-out. I spend countless hours lying on the couch watching television.  But, I also run several miles a week.

It’s all about balance.

I ate too much and ran too little this week. I am off balance.

Salad for dinner tonight.

Long run tomorrow.

A Spicy Chocolate Cake

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Like chocolate cake? Like spicy food?

Then, I’ve got the recipe for you!

I can take no credit for this one, other than following the recipe and taking a picture of the result.  But, it was so delicious, I wanted to share the recipe with you. I made this cake a couple months ago for some dinner guests.  My husband was apprehensive, thinking I’d been saying ‘Chocolate Chili Cake’. I guess the idea of ground meat and kidney beans in his chocolate cake wasn’t appealing. But, rest assured.  There are no meat or beans in this cake…just dense, chocolatey goodness with just a little bit of heat.  Trust me, it works!

Flourless Chocolate-Chile Cake by Daisy Martinez

Flourless Chocolate-Chile Cake with Chocolate Ganache and Raspeberries

I added a chocolate ganache glaze and fresh raspberries to give the cake a little finish. To make a basic ganache, put 4 ounces of semisweet chocolate in a bowl. Bring 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp of heavy cream to a boil and immediately pour over the chocolate. Stir until the chocolate completely melts.  Spread over the cake.

Sneaky babies...they're everywhere!!

Takeout for dinner tonight.  Tomorrow I will run my first 5k ever, for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure!  Think Pink!!

The Gourmand Mom

Good food, seasoned with a dash of life