Cake Tuesday: Lemon Cheese-Filled Cake

Check out what heavenly confection you can do with a simple cake mix.

From Denny: We love lemon recipes at our house so when I came across this one you can imagine it caused quite a stir around here! There is something about the combination of cream cheese and lemon that is simply divine. Then add coconut to the mix and your taste buds are orbiting around the planet "formerly known as" Pluto.


Lemon Cheese-Filled Cake

From: Ellen Gilmore, published in 2theadvocate

Makes: 1 bundt cake

Ingredients:

Cake:

Yellow cake mix
3/4 cup apricot nectar
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 eggs
1 capful almond extract

Filling:

2 (8-oz.) pkgs. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbls. lemon juice
1 cup flaked coconut

Glaze:

2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
2 tbls. lemon juice
2 tbls. apricot nectar


Directions:

Mix cake ingredients. Beat as directed on cake package. Grease and lightly flour a bundt pan. Fill with cake batter.

Combine filling ingredients. Beat until smooth. Spoon filling onto top of batter in pan, being careful not to touch the sides of the pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes. Cool in pan for 30 minutes. Finish cooling on a rack or plate.

Combine glaze ingredients. Drizzle over cooled cake.


*** Photo of bowl of lemons by Jill Clardy @ flickr


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 12 Sept 2010

*** Check out news, political opinion, political humor and funny cartoons, recipes, poetry, funny posts, photography, spiritual thoughts and great quotes.






From Denny: It's been a wild ride changing internet providers and I was off line for 10 days. I tell ya when you slow down to snail time it takes a while to gear back up to a fast pace. So, rather than try to catch up I've decided to round up what there is and not sweat what there isn't. Gee, can you tell I absorbed "Greek Time" when I visited Santorini several years ago? Greek Time is extremely slow, unhurried and a definite "I'll get around to it" attitude. :)



Recent Post Roundups:

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 22 Aug 2010

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 15 Aug 2010

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 8 Aug 2010



The Social Poets:

Who Will Be Prez Obamas Next Chief of Staff? - Check out the leading contenders who can make or break the Democratic agenda.

Middle East Peace, Koran Burning, Iraq War Cartoons - 11 Sept 2010 - The threatened burning of 200 Korans took center stage this week over the Middle East Peace process with the public and the cartoonists.

America and The Economy Cartoons - 11 Sept 2010 - America's economic sugar high is a rocky roller coaster ride that no one knows where it will go. Check out the latest cartoonist opinions.

The Understanding poem - Libations Friday 10 Sept 2010 - We build Peace in our lives a moment at a time - and this is a poem story of how it can start early in childhood as it did for me.

Call to Christians And Muslims Against Violence From Threat to Burn Koran - Phony Christian pastor incites international violence for threatening to burn the Koran.

Economy, America and World Politics Cartoons - 7 Sept 2010 - Check out this week's amusing cartoon commentary on our American politics.

Majority in Poll Say America Still Not Ready For Big Disasters - Our government has a long way to go to convince Americans it can handle large scale natural or man made disasters.

Roundup of Late Night Funnies - 23 Aug 2010 - Check out the latest jokes from late night comics this week, along with some of the most current cartoons and LOL funniest videos from the likes of Colbert and Stewart.

Funny Video: Stewart Rips Fox News Lies About Ground Zero Mosque - Comics have endless material ripped from true headlines, like Fox News creating controversy to keep from sinking lower in the news ratings.

Funny Video: Campy Bed Bug PSA - Leave it to Jon Stewart to ferret out the campiest PSA done on bedbugs.

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 22 Aug 2010 - Check out news, political opinion, political humor and funny cartoons, recipes, science news, poetry, funny posts, photography, spiritual thoughts and great quotes.




Beautiful Illustrated Quotations:

Ancient Healing Oil: Sandalwood - Modern technology life can be stressful and counter productive to spiritual growth. Try this essential oil to bring balance into your life.




Dennys Funny Quotes:

Prez Obama, Democrats, Trouble With Political Message Cartoons - 11 Sept 2010 - Cartoonists lampoon, and downright blast, the Democrats for doing a lousy job of getting out their message.

Funny Hunh?! Cartoons - 8 Sept 2010 - Check out this week's grinners to soothe your work week stress.

Funny Video: Bounty Mocks High School With Rap - Video: Bounty Brings It. Paper Towel Gang Keeps it Clean - great rap music video production for an ad.

Funny Work Cartoons - 23 Aug 2010 - Funny Work Cartoons - 23 Aug 2010




Visual Insights:

Dennys Photo Gallery: Swinging Good Fun! - Check out some wonderful photos from around the world validating how much we all have in common as children: we love to swing!

Arts: Fun Incredible Beach Art Photos - Check out the fun and funny creative designs for your latest version of the sand castle and sand art on your favorite beach.





Dennys Food and Recipes:


Celebrate: Yummy Southern Gulf Coast Shrimp and Crab Boil - Find out how easy it is to do your own shrimp and crab boil to celebrate the great seafood of the summer!


*** Coffee photo by Quoquo @ flickr (Brazil)


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor

Cake Tuesday: Super Sweet Heavenly Hash Cake

An easy to make rich chocolate, marshmallow and nuts candy formed to look like a cake. Great for holidays and gift giving!





From Denny: A Southern staple for sweet tooths - or a dentist's delight!

Louisiana is truly the Land of Seafood and Sweets (my term), so much so we are now the fattest state in America, a dubious honor for sure. My husband and I move away from Louisiana from time to time just to shake those extra pounds that are so easy to gain in this culture of eating and cooking and eating again! Because of the heat and humidity Louisiana is often an indoor culture except for the hardiest souls who hunt, fish, boat and water ski when the weather is accommodating.

New Orleans has to be the worst part of the state when it comes to a love affair with sugar - though folks in Alabama and Mississippi are Siamese sugar twins. The New Orleans culture revolves around sugar so much they would experience withdrawal symptoms if, Heaven forbid, sugar became a rarity. Trust me; they would cultivate something else like beets - or even worms if they thought it would work for their sugar - as these folks would simply not do without their sweet vice!

Heavenly hash “cake” is quite popular with home cooks. It is basically a marshmallow cake mixed with nuts and some chocolate and then bathed again in a chocolate glaze to seal the marshmallow. If you love marshmallows you will love this “cake.” About the only thing healthy about this cake is that marshmallows are made from egg whites, and, OK, lots of sugar.

While it’s far too sweet for me with my preference for European style less sweet products, in its defense I can say this “cake” is long on presentation when placed in a Bundt pan and given a lovely shape. It is also quite popular throughout the South.

In the Bundt pan version when the marshmallows were added they sunk in and mixed to create this marbling effect of chocolate, nuts and marshmallow as they stirred it. Once it was cool enough to hold its shape they must have turned it out and then given its chocolate glaze.

I’ve received this Bundt version as a Christmas gift all wrapped up in pretty cellophane with a lovely bow and then boxed in a large round tin. It was a wonderfully showy presentation. You can now purchase in the New Orleans area these mostly marshmallow “cakes” to gift others.

This is for serious sugarholics! When asked as to how long it's been around - it has made it's way around the South, who knows who originated it? At least for the past decade to achieve this kind of popularity and spread in the region.

Pralines are the original sweet of New Orleans that goes back to the 1800's like rice cakes (calas) and beignets. This crazy cake is much newer! I've only paid attention to it for the past decade; it might be a bit older. My guess is its from the 1990's as Bundt cake recipes and candies were big back then in that decade.

This version is done simply in a 9-inch x 13-inch pan, though you can change to several small or one large bundt pans. I suggest the very small bundt pans as this is one rich "cake." OK, it's really more of a candy poured into a cake form. Enjoy and watch your kids squeal with delight - while the adults are around the corner furtively eating it too! :)



Heavenly Hash Cake


From: James “B” Didier

Ingredients:

4 eggs, beaten lightly

2 cups sugar

2 sticks butter

1 1/2 cups self-rising flour

2 cups pecans, chopped

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 Tablespoons cocoa


Directions: Combine eggs, sugar, butter, flour, pecans, vanilla and cocoa in large mixing bowl. Mix well.

Pour into ungreased (9x13-inch) pan and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.



Icing glaze:

Ingredients:

1 bag miniature marshmallows

4 teaspoons cocoa

1 stick butter, melted

1 pound box powdered sugar

8 teaspoons evaporated milk


Directions: Place marshmallows on top of baked cake. Heat in oven until marshmallows are melted.

Mix cocoa, butter, powdered sugar and milk and heat until spreading consistency. Spread over marshmallows. Cut into squares to serve.


*** Photo by Flirty Kitty @ flickr


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor

Celebrate: Yummy Southern Gulf Coast Shrimp and Crab Boil

*** Find out how easy it is to do your own shrimp and crab boil to celebrate the great seafood of the summer!





From Denny: As a Louisiana blogger, we sure do appreciate all the support we have received all over the country since the disaster of the BP oil spill. "The Early Show" from CBS did their part by announcing the Gulf coast shrimp grounds have been cleared by the government testers as safe to eat. Those fishing areas reopened to shrimpers. Louisiana shrimpers provide about 20 to 30 percent of America's shrimp.

There are three agencies who have been testing hundreds of samples from all over the Gulf: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Food and Drug Administration. So far so good as the samples are coming back clean.

We do love shrimp boils down here in Louisiana and CBS decided to celebrate the reopening of the fishing in the Gulf with this great recipe to do your own shrimp boil. And make sure you add a cold crisp beer to wash it all down! :)

Make sure when you boil the shrimp that when they are cooked they curl up. If they are straight, then discard them because they were not fresh and are not the best idea to eat.

Pull out those old newspapers and cover your outdoor tables because a shrimp boil is messy - and good. Also, if you are in a part of the country that still has summer high heat, make sure you wrap up those shrimp shells in that newspaper and then put that wrap in the freezer until your garbage day. Trust me; you don't want that horrible smell just killing your garbage can, especially if it's stored in a closed garage. Here in Louisiana we always freeze the shrimp shells in newspaper and then dash out at the last minute to deposit it in our garbage cans when we see the garbage trucks rolling down our street. :)

The Louisiana seafood industry employs about 28,000 people and impacts the national economy by $2.4 billion a year. Louisiana is the number one producer of blue crabs, shrimp and oysters in the nation.







Low-Country Boil

From: Katie Lee

Ingredients:

2 lemons cut in quarters
1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise
2 tablespoons Old Bay or crab boil seasoning
1 onion cut in quarters
1 pound kielbasa sausage links
12 red new potatoes
6 ears corn, cut in half
3 pounds shrimp, with peels
(In Louisiana we spice it up by adding Zatarain's liquid Crab Boil and Old Bay Seasoning)


Directions:

Bring a very large pot of water to a boil. Add lemons, garlic, seasoning, and onions. Add sausage and potatoes. Let cook 20 minutes. Add corn and cook 5 minutes. Add shrimp and cook no more than 2 to 3 minutes, until pink. Drain and serve immediately.




Crab Boil

From: Katie Lee

Ingredients:

2 lemons cut in quarters
1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise
2 tablespoons Old Bay or crab boil seasoning
2 dozen blue crabs
(In Louisiana we spice it up by adding Zatarain's liquid Crab Boil)


Directions:

Bring a very large pot of water to a boil. Add lemons, garlic, and seasoning. Add crabs and cover. Let cook 20 minutes, until crabs are red and cooked through.

Serve with sriracha mayo (mix equal parts mayo and sriracha sauce) or clarified butter.


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 22 Aug 2010

*** Check out news, political opinion, political humor and funny cartoons, recipes, science news, poetry, funny posts, photography, spiritual thoughts and great quotes.





From Denny: I tell ya, this summer heat index of 116 degrees Fahrenheit, along with the WikiLeaks nutjob child who thinks he's stalking me on this blog, you know it's a full moon out tonight. This poor kid has scrambled eggs for brains, taking a second and third run at me.

Guess it's time to go ahead and do another WikiLeaks post to explain to him and his silly little friends living in some gaming fantasy world in their heads that real life is not a computer game. It's much more serious because the people who are stalking them are out for a lot more than winning their props as a gamer.

As far as posts go I did manage to find some interesting health and science news and had some fun with some photo posts too. Take a look.



The Social Poets:


BP Screws Over Gulf Residents With New Claims Restrictions - BP continues to play the shell game of moving the pea with misdirection and sleight of hand, with the definition of "legitimate claims" an elusive target to hit for residents.

Economy, Afghan War, America, World Politics Cartoons - 21 Aug 2010 - This week's political opinion delivered through the national cartoonists.

Obama Family Photos and New Michelle Obama Portrait Unveiled - Enjoy the new First Lady portrait and a few other well done photographs of the First Family.

Scumbag WikiLeaks Founder Assange Charged With Rape in Sweden - Sweden charges WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, with rape and molestation.

Poetess Defies, Shocks Saudi Arabia - A brave woman in the Middle East dares to criticize her religion and her culture - through a live TV national poetry competition, the Arab world version of American Idol.

Funny Back to School Quotes and Cartoons - Cheeky Quote Day 18 Aug 2010 - Get a grin at some great cartoons and funny quotes about parents' favorite time of the year: when the kids go back to school.

Funny Video: Truth Is Bush Tax Cuts Are 30 Percent Of Our Deficit

Roundup of Late Night Funnies - 16 Aug 2010 - Check out this week's funny late night jokes and latest cartoons lampooning politics to American culture, with a funny side dish of funny video clips thrown in to keep you grinning.

Funny Video: Newt Gingrich Mocked by Colbert For Lack of Morals - Check out Colbert as he mocks the amoral Gingrich trying to make a political comeback for President.




The Healing Waters:


Lonely people: Under More Pressure Have Higher Blood Pressure - Be aware of how loneliness can impact your daily health.

How Can You Predict The Strength of Your Relationship? - Check out the latest study and new test devised to help you predict the strength of your relationship.





The Soul Calendar:


Check Out NASA Images of Devastating Pakistan Floods - These aerial view flood images of the entire country of Pakistan are mind-boggling in their scope of how the monsoon flooding is affecting the lives of millions.

New Tomb Uncovered in Egypt With Colorful Art - The fun side of archaeology is what you find in pristine condition after thousands of years.





Dennys Funny Quotes:

Funny Odd Hunh?! Cartoons - 21 Aug 2010 - Check out this week's grinners to soothe your work week stress.

25 Ridiculously Funny Celebrity Duck Face Photos - Laugh at celebrities posing for the camera, mocking sexy.





Dennys Food and Recipes:


4 Casseroles 4 School Night Dinners: Chicken, Tex Mex, Tamale, Shepherds Pie - Check out some family favorites, easy and quick to cook - and nutritious.

Muffin Monday: 5 Yummy Breakfast Muffins - Skip the coffee shop muffin, make your own, save some money and save a whole lot of calories too.





Beautiful Illustrated Quotations:

7 Quotes: Defining Joy in Our Lives - 7 quotes to consider about how we live our joy.





Visual Insights:


Raucous Tea Party Republicans Cartoons - 21 Aug 2010 - Check out what the cartoonists are lampooning about the Tea Party and the Republican idea of politics this time!

Dennys Photo Gallery: Beautiful Yummy Artichokes and 11 Recipes

Arts: Whimsical Fiber Artist Ed Bing Lee - This fiber artist has a sense of the whimsy while he explores new ways to use simple knotting techniques to develop his art.




*** Coffee cup from Brazil photo by Quoquo at flickr


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor