Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Blessings


I didn't see it as a blessing when my good friend author Catherine Stier moved to Texas a couple years ago, but luckily we have stayed in contact. I know (even as I knew then) that she is a blessing in my life. She sent me these fabulous crackers over the weekend and my entire family has been enjoying them.
Blessings have been much on my mind as everything is changing around here. The show schedule is ever increasing, along with requests for other projects related to the Vintage Cookbooks and my husband and I bought a new freezer and fridge for the garage for all the foods I have been storing for the events.
In the midst of that I have several national librarian talks scheduled this year, though not at ALA. I'll be attending new conferences and that's always nerveracking. I have a new librarian book out in a couple months, and am working on another out next year. At the library our programs are all enjoying an increase in teen participation, which means more programs and er - a lot more teens...These are all good things, but something is going to have to give in this schedule. I thought after the 2009 year o'craziness I was done with change for a while, but I see another big one coming on the horizon.
In the meantime, let's talk about another blessing - CHOCOLATE! I have one more Mable recipe then it's off to celebrate St. Pat's for the next week...
One Bowl Chocolate Cake
4 oz. unsweetened chocolate
2 cups sifted cake flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Melt chocolate; set aside. Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans; set aside. Preheat oven to 350F . Combine all ingredients in a large mixer bowl. Beat with electric mixer on low speed 1/2 minute, then on high speed 3 minutes. Pour into prepared pans. Bake 30 - 35 minutes or until done. Cool in pans 5 minutes. Turn out on wire racks. Cool completely. Frost, if desired. Makes one 2-layer, 9-inch cake.
Buttermilk, eh? I believe you can make it yourself quickly: http://frugalliving.about.com/od/condimentsandspices/r/Buttermilk_Sub.htm

2 comments:

susan miura said...

Mmmm -- sounds delish! Buttermilk may be gross on its own, but it's wonderful in cakes. Thanks for posting this -- we chocolate lovers have to stick together!

tasteofbeirut said...

I live in Dallas and I am going to check out these crackers! Great recipe too