drunk strawberry cake

this is an easy and very impressive cake. you do not cook the alcohol out, so it is definitely for the over 21 crowd!

1 box strawberry cake mix
3 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
1/4 cup brandy
1/4 cup sugar
1 small (3-ounce) package strawberry flavored jell-o
fresh strawberries, for garnish
1 small container cool whip

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees f.
2. follow cake directions as written on cake mix box. remove from oven and cool cake completely.
3. meanwhile, mix gelatin as directed on box. refrigerate gelatin mix but do not let it harden, it should cool to a liquid consistency.
4. in a medium bowl, combine strawberries, brandy, and sugar. let macerate 20 minutes.
5. using a straw, poke holes all over the cake. pour gelatin into holes and spread over the top of the cake.
6. spread layer of macerated strawberries on top of cake. spread layer cool whip on top of the strawberries. garnish with fresh strawberries. refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
   
   

how we drive to houston

since I talked last week about our friday night ritual of prime rib from rudy's as our usual friday nite dinner, I figured today I would tell you about how we eat our way down to houston.  it is about a 3 hour drive from our house in waco to our hometown outside of houston and we have our typical stops that we always make along the way:

the first one cocoamoda in calvert, to get some of their amazing chocolates!  this time I came bearing gifts for ken "the chocolate man", I brought him the intercourses cookbook that I got last month and have fallen in love with.  as a fellow foodie, I thought he would like it and it fit our unique relationship.  as I was standing at the counter waiting for my hubby's decaf coffee, I was reading all the articles that have been written about cocoamoda and I was shocked by how many their were. you know that I can go on and on about cocoamoda, but I thought you might enjoy reading what others have to say, so here are the articles I found about cocoamoda:
gourmet chocolate factory opens in calvert -- kbtx
restorational revival -- the new york sun
cocoamoda chocolate opens in calvert -- houses, gardens, people blog
entrepreneuer aims to put chocolate on the map -- trading markets
texas two-step chocolate style -- chocolate atlas
inside cocoamoda resturant -- flikr

the next stop is wings n more in college station.  there are 4 locations in college station and we used to go to the one that was in the exxon station on the north side of bryan (yes, I call myself a foodie, but one of my favorite places to eat is in a gas station).  they have since moved to a freestanding building, but they are still the location we go to most often.  they have amazing wings and cheese fries and as I tried tonight, pretty good baked beans.  if you are ever in college station, texas or the woodlands, texas I encourage you to give them a try, you will be glad you did.

spring take five

1. what is your favorite thing to grill or bar-b-que?
2. what is your favorite dish to make this time of year?
3. what is your favorite food to enjoy this time of year?
4. do you enjoy your local farmer's market?
5. as a kid did you make breakfast for your mom on mother's day?

 answer these 5 questions on your blog today and enter your name (or your blog's name) in the name field below and a permalink (the url for your blog post with the answer to these questions and not just to your main blog page) to your blog post in the url field. thanks for playing, see you next week!

vodka pasta

my brother-in-law is cooking for a date later this week and needed a good recipe.  this is my never-fail romantic dinner.

 

    
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 shallots, minced
1 cup vodka
1 cup chicken stock
1 can crushed tomatoes (32 ounces)
coarse salt and pepper
16 ounces pasta, (I usually use penne)
1/2 cup heavy cream
20 leaves fresh basil, shredded or torn
crusty bread, for passing

1. heat a large skillet over moderate heat. add oil, butter, garlic, and shallots. gently saute shallots for 3 to 5 minutes. add vodka to the pan and cook until vodka reduces by half, this will take 2 or 3 minutes. add chicken stock, tomatoes. bring sauce to a bubble and reduce heat to simmer. season with salt and pepper.
2. while sauce simmers, cook pasta in salted boiling water until cooked to al dente (with a bite to it). while pasta cooks, prepare your salad or other side dishes.
3. stir cream into sauce. when sauce returns to a bubble, remove it from heat. drain pasta. toss hot pasta with sauce and basil leaves. pass pasta with crusty bread.

warm dijon potato salad with green beans

I don't like the typical (mayo-based) potato salad, i know, that's a crime when you are a southern cook. this potato salad, however, I love!!

3 pounds yukon or baby white potatoes

1 pound green beans, trimmed

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons whole grain dijon mustard

1 shallot minced

3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

30 grinds black pepper

1/3 cup packed finely chopped flat-leaf parsley

1. place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water by at least a couple inches. salt the water generously, bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are fork tender, about 20 minutes. drain and rinse under cold water.
2. bring another pot of salted water to a boil and throw the beans in just for a minute or two until they turn bright green. strain them and run them under cold water to stop the beans from cooking.
3. in a mixing bowl combine the remaining ingredients and whisk until smooth.
4. cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and then into roughly 1 inch chunks. cut beans in half. toss the potato chunks in the dressing and then toss in the green beans and the parsley.