Apparently, we’re baking like there is no tomorrow. And someone is hoarding all the yeast! How many Netflix, Hulu or Amazon prime series can you really watch and stay sane? Cooking as always been a creative outlet for me. Focusing on creating lovely meals is a good way to reflect on something other than the crazy covid-ness.

A home made from scratch cake is a great way to show appreciation to someone you care about. Whatever your age it is important that you master at least one cake in your repertoire. Why do you need this recipe and what is a naked cake?

What is a naked cake?

Naked cakes have no or minimal icing which allow you to see the texture of the cake. Clearly I am a big fan of this type of cake. If you have ever read the ingredients on icing for a cake, you understand why I have created this recipe.

As a lover of almost all really good foods, I have to find new ways to reduce. Besides wanting to cook and bake, I want to eat cake. Life is not fun without dessert or happy endings. This recipe reduces the size of the cake layers and uses a filling in lieu of traditional icing.

Au Revoir Covid, Berry Me Naked Cake recipe has a huge calorie reduction when you dump the icing and bake thinner cake layers. Truly I am not saying that this is diet food but it does have less sugar, flour, butter and eggs.

Why do I need Au Revoir Covid, Berry Me Naked Cake recipe?

Summer berries scream to be added to a cake. The fresh bite of berry is just enough to add sweet without too much. In creating this cake, I wanted to reduce sugar, size of the layers and calories without sacrificing the cake. A triple layer cake looks pretty but I wanted the finished cake to be smaller.

There are literally billions of cake recipes on the internet. If you combine that with cookbooks you could never try all of the recipes. So, why am I creating another one? Over time as I cook an item, I start to experiment in my lab called kitchen. As an exercise I review the good, bad and what would make it better.

Not to mention, I have Grill Man who cannot help himself when it comes to providing unlimited data on anything that I cook. It is almost like having a professional FCIR, (food critic in residence). Yes of course I appreciate his candor.

Yet, I don’t always want to hear it. Sometimes I just want to savor the moment and enjoy. Trail and error with additional discussions does help me to try and improve a recipe. Everything does not come out as I intend or perfect. In our kitchen, I am famous for burning bread. Success and failure is just part of the cooking and creating process.

Is Berry Me Naked Cake hard to make?

As in any skill your cooking experience should improve over time. The more you do it, the better you will become. If you can read and follow instructions, then you too may cook. If you have secured your own Grill Man or taco master, it is great to have extra hands in the kitchen.

When is the last time you made a homemade cake for your love? Au Revoir Covid, Berry Me Naked Cake is an easy cake for anyone. This recipe would certainly look great on any table. The blueberry and strawberry pattern on top would be fitting for any celebration.

Shout out to Alexa for Def Leppards, Pour Some Sugar On Me.

With Love from,
Mimi’s Kitchen

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My friend Red,  introduced me to this recipe. Ironically, we both read a historical fictional book titled Signora da Vinci by Robin Maxwell. The story  is a historical fiction about Leonardo da Vinci’s mother, Caterina. First of all, I loved the behind the scene story of Caterina and the drama that unfolds in her life in this book.

Secondly, in the back of the book, the author requested Susan Jeter to  create a recipe using ingredients that were common to Italy . Somehow I managed to miss this recipe when I read the book. My friend Red, introduced it when she included the appetizer for a dinner party in our home. With this post, I have adapted Susan’s lovely recipe.

Fast delicious Appetizer that everyone loves

What is not to love in this recipe? Sweet grapes, salty olives, luscious olive oil and balsamic vinegar tossed then reduced. A reduction that develops  into a sexy coating that screams for french bread and goat cheese.  Foodie Appetizer Sweet yet Savory is easy to prepare ahead of time, then served as needed. Easy, delicious and pairs well with most everything.

Recently, I served this dish at my Blog Anniversary Tasting. At my event, I served Foodie Appetizer Sweet yet Savory over cream cheese in lieu of goat cheese. My preference is serving this delicious bite of sweet and savory over goat cheese. Select the cheese that you love or serve both.

In my study of food, I am trying to learn about food pairings with wine. When serving this dish, pair with a pinot grigio or check out other options.  In my review, I located this site as one resource for food and wine pairing.  Site has great suggestions to start with as a wine pairing ultimately it boils down to what you like to drink. Taste test wines with this Foodie Appetizer Sweet yet Savory and let me know your favorite.

Alexa Shout out to Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse for Body and Soul.

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As an independent woman I must confess football and I have had our issues. They are not big issues mind you but they exist. I don’t understand the rules and game exactly but I get the overall gist. The game is complicated. It is a lot for a social football viewer to keep up with.

I am typically proud of myself if I know who’s actually playing.  I give my  Dad credit for this he wasn’t a big football fan. Football was not on the TV set playing every weekend at our house. I had to learn how  to actively participate as  a “social football fan”.

Amazingly, I have a few girlfriends that are die-hard fans. Fans that know the teams, players, coaches and stats which totally impress me with their knowledge. They know how to watch a game and call the plays before the talking heads render an opinion. I am in awe of their skills.

In our group of friends we share hosting football games so the party and our Bama Mascots move around. Everyone in our group is busy and at times our men are left to watch the game alone. This leads to a volley of texts back and forth among the group. Not to mention the occasional very loud noises heard at my house when someone misses a play. There was a particularly loud noise heard on January 9th.

These are a few of my College or NFL football highlights:

Football is a reason to have a party and socialize with friends, game on, food and beverages in abundance. Football is an event to share and watching the entire game is not mandatory.

It is a way to connect to people whether they support your team  or compete. I enjoy the camaraderie, bands and excited touchdown dances that show the joy of “Damn, I caught that!”

Football  is part of our social fabric whether you truly love football or you’re a “social football fan”. All football parties whether college or NFL must have food, required beer and mostly friends.

Game Day Creamy Chicken Dip is an easy appetizer to serve a few or double up and serve a crowd. This Dip may be made ahead and popped in the oven just before serving. It will be a good addition to your Superbowl Sunday February 5th.

Click on the link ad try these other appetizers for your Superbowl Game Day.

Tres Amigas Salsa

Crawfish Pies Down on the Bayo’

Hauntingly Delicious Shrimp Dip

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