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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After about day 8 of picking loquats, I needed a new recipe. Over the weekend I wanted to make loquat preserves. Yet canning anything is a labor of love and time commitment. Before I started this undertaking, I needed to find a recipe that did not require hours or make a big mess.

One of Grill Man’s prize possessions is a plastic bag that contains a Home Economics Cookbook that is literally hand-stuffed with handwritten recipes. The cookbook and handwritten notes of recipes belonged to his Grandmother. When I want to spoil him, I look in the bag and cook a Grandmother recipe.

In addition to making him cobbler, she spoiled him rotten.

Over the years I heard him describe how lovely her cobbler was to eat. Oddly enough, I had never tried to make it. All of the other recipes in “the bag” were good so no doubt this one would be as well.

Before I knew it, I picked more loquats and located the cookbook stuffed with handwritten recipes. After reading the recipe, I knew instantly what to add in order to tempt Grill Man with cobbler.

How to make Sun Kiss Loquat Cobbler and why?

Any time I am able to make a recipe in just one bowl without a mixer, I’m in. If you’re in a hurry, you really don’t have time to whip up multiple items for one dessert. No one ever wants to make a mess in the kitchen, but sometimes there is no way around it.

Sun Kiss Loquat Cobbler may be mixed with a whisk and only using one bowl. This leaves you more time to move on to other things. If you don’t have loquats, peaches or strawberries may substitute. Recipe is easy to bake. Cobbler is delicious on its own but a single scoop of ice cream might make your smile a little bigger.

Loquat fruit for sweet or savory recipes

Gulf Coast of Alabama is loaded with loquats bursting from the trees whispering, “Pick me. Pick me.” If you have beaucoup loquats, read LOQUATS Eat, Ferment, Freeze, Preserve, Steep and Share. If you have not tasted a loquat it has the texture of a cherry with a flavor that is bit of peach, plum and mango with a hint of citrus.

By this point, I had eaten my fair share for smoothies and loquats in other dishes. One night I created a salsa for a piece of salmon. Soon I hope to add this recipe at a later date. Be inventive and add loquats to sweet or savory recipes.

Fruit is lovely and nutritional. All very good reasons to pick, eat and share. Pick loquats and cook Sun Kiss Loquat Cobbler. Let me know what you think. Grill Man and I have taste tested more than our fair share.

Loquats are luscious and remind me of bites of sunshine. In Alabama we have lots of green spaces to escape to during this covid-colored-world. If you can’t escape, turn up the music and pray for better days. Stay safe and wash wash your hands.

Alexa Shout out to Natasha Bedingfield for Pocketful of Sunshine.

Take me away (take me away)
A secret place (a secret place)
A sweet escape (a sweet escape)
Take me away (take me away)Take me away (take me away)

To better days (to better days)
Take me away (take me away)
A hiding place (a hiding place)I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine.

I got a love, and I know that it’s all mine.

With love,
From Mimi’s Kitchen

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Share Mimi’s Gluten Free Nutty Fudgy Indulgent Brownies with Coconut

This brownie recipe is just chocolate and nuts with right amount of coconut and cranberries. You may even forget that it’s gluten free. I should warn you though, this brownie recipe is not a light cakey brownie. Yet if gluten free nutty fudgy indulgent brownie with coconut sounds good, bake this soon.

Baking this brownie recipe is easy since it may be mixed together by hand in a single bowl. Then popped in the oven in order for the batter to marry together with heat. In a short time, you will remove a hot baking pan will surely tempt.

Once the brownie is cooled completely, it will be ready to cut into smaller pieces. And this is a brownie that you want to sink your teeth into. Just the right amount of nutty fudgy indulgent brownie with a slight crispness.

What would take this brownie recipe to another level?

As I am writing this, I have another idea for this recipe. Should I share it now or make you wait with chocolate anticipation? Although this brownie may stand alone on a dessert plate all by itself, what would take it to another level? My friend Monsieur Pierre would surely tell me to add ice cream.

Ice cream would be the perfect addition to Mimi’s gluten free brownies. Brownie structure would support ice cream well. Whether served in a martini glass or made into an ice cream sandwich, this brownie will make you smile.

For another smile, shout out to Alexa for Miles Davis song Chocolate Chip. It has a rich sexy beat that will accompany Mimi’s Gluten Free Nutty Fudgy Indulgent Brownies with Coconut just fine.

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What is Italian Rossa Black?

Stella Rossa is only one line of wines created by the Riboli family. For over a hundred years this family has focused on creating wines. Before our wine tasting I had never heard of Stella Rossa before. Since I wanted to include their wine in my bundt cake, I needed to know more.

In 1917, the Riboli family started making wine in California. The Riboli Family winemakers survived World Wars, prohibition, Great Depression and navigated an ever changing business climate. Is it true that a family that creates wine together stays together?

The Stella Rossa Black is created from Italian grapes selected from the region of Asti a province in Piedmont. Asti area is the birthplace of Maddalena Riboli, the family matriarch. Maddalena is part of a wonderful legacy and known for her passion about wine. In fact, Southwest, The Magazine included her along with other Spirited Women- 20 Experts Revolutionizing the Spirit Industry.

“A family legacy built on hard work, family values, and a love for the land.”

Yet, no surprise that spirited women work in a business that has lasted for so long. From humble beginnings of San Antonio Winery to the Estate grown grapes of Riboli Family Wines it is a company to discover. Within the Riboli business they manage operations to preserve and protect natural resources. Never fail spirited Italians raising the next generation.

Another aspect of their legacy includes sustainability. The company operates a winery entirely powered by Solar Panels, Smart Technology and recycles 100% of all water used. In a state that suffers with water problems this is a smart move for the winemaker. Truly they are setting great examples for generations to come as they operate as good stewards and make wine.

Stella Italian Rossa Black is a semi-sweet and semi sparkling red wine. “Slip into your sexy and seductive side with Stella Rosa Black, a sultry semi-sweet, semi-sparkling red blend from the Luxury Collection. There’s a mysterious nature about this one – about you – that is undeniably alluring.”
Riboli Family Wines.

When you open this wine, set two cups aside to bake Never Fail Spirited Italian Rossa Bundt Cake. A perfect cake to accompany your next wine tasting or soiree. A glaze seals in the soul of a cake.

Shout out to Alexa for Eric Claptons song Bottle of Red Wine. “Get up and get your bottle of red wine.” Try the Stella Rossa Italian Black if a semi sweet wine is on your list. Save a portion and make the Never Fail Spirited Italian Rossa Bundt Cake.

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Even if you’re tolerant of gluten it is good to have a gluten free recipe. Anytime you host a large group of people, odds are someone is gluten intolerant. It helps to have at least one dessert that everyone may eat regardless of their standing with gluten.

Of course it is awful to tell a guest intolerant of gluten, “No dessert for you”. Mimis Gluten Free Nutty Fudgy Indulgent Mint Chocolate Brownie recipe will please your guests whether they are a gluten fan or not.

How to serve Mimi’s Gluten Free Nutty Fudgy Indulgent Mint Chocolate Brownie?

This brownie is nutty, fudgy and delicious. Yet it is not a cake-like brownie. My brownie recipe is yummy without the addition of whipping cream or ice cream. However if you want to wow your sweetheart or dinner party serve in a martini glass and add both.

Boozy Version Nutty Fudgy Indulgent Mint Chocolate Brownie

1.Place one or two brownies into the glass
2. Add a dollop of Gluten free cream or scoop of gluten free ice cream.
3. Add a fresh spring of chocolate mint for a garnish.
4. Boozy Touch-Add a drizzle of Kahlua on top of the ice cream.

Does this sound tempting? Yes I want brownies. Where did brownies get started? Legend has it they started in Chicago at the Palmer House Hotel. A small confection was needed for ladies visiting the Worlds Fair in 1893. Isn’t a small confection always needed?

Machias Cookbook and Kitchen Wisdom

Brownies first appeared in print in Machias Cookbook titled Brownies Food. Machias Cookbook was compiled by Mrs Willis H Allen and presented to The Ladies Social Circle in 1899. Machias struck me as an odd name until I discovered the meaning.

Also, I totally understood the sentiment especially Hungry and thirsty folks to satisfy.

As an lover of all things chocolate, I love brownies. Please try Mimi’s Gluten Free Nutty Fudgy Indulgent Mint Chocolate Brownie and let me know what you think. Enjoy a brownie or a brownie with ice cream and Kahua.

Finally, shout out to Alexa for Dharia’s song called Sugar and Brownies. Dharia is a fourteen year old singer songwriter from Romania. It will be interesting to see where her career leads. With popularity of this song on the internet she has started off with a bang.

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Reasons I love this dessert

Yet smiling does not stop with the melt in your mouth goodness of this dessert. Busier than ever, I love a dessert that may be quickly mixed in a bowl, baked and topped with magic will make me smile every time. Add in the fact that ingredients are common and always on hand makes for a great last minute dessert recipe.

Simply stated if you desire a dessert to wow your guests with presentation look no further. Serve this dessert in a martini glass with a scoop of Creole Cream Cheese ice cream. Creole cream cheese adds more tang and a bit of sweet that plain cream cheese does not.

Recipe for Creole Cream Cheese Ice Cream

Chef John Folse offers recipes to make creole cream cheese and his version of this lovely ice cream. If short on time, Blue Bell offers this flavor and it will pair beautifully with richness of Mimi’s Nutty Fudgy Indulgent Pecan Bar.

Top with a sprig of fresh chocolate mint and a tiny drizzle of dark coffee liqueur over white Creole Cream Cheese ice cream. With this served in a martini glass, how could your guests not be in love with this dessert? Easy to make and elegant to serve. You may not want to share our secret.

Hopefully dessert or chocolate is not on your list to abstain. With most of us trying to watch our food intake daily, it helps to serve a small dessert loaded with lots of rich flavor. Yet, Mimi’s Nutty Fudgy Indulgent Pecan Bar is a perfect size for serving to a dinner party, bridge, bunco or canasta group.

With this in mind, Alexa shout out to The Archie’s for song Sugar Sugar. Do you remember this song written by Jeff Barry and Andy Kim? Song spent 4 weeks as number one in 1969 and 22 weeks on Billboards top 100. “Pour a little sugar on me, oh yeah.”

Finally, if you want a sweet treat, try this recipe. Let me know what you think, I would love to hear from you.

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Perfect recipe to play with while spending an afternoon in the kitchen with friends cooking and laughing. Friends that you  connect with as soon as you meet. Somehow you know they will be in it for the long haul.

Sunshine and my newest guest chef, Day Trader joined me in the kitchen to cook a great lunch.  Absolutely lovely way to spend a day. Did I mention the champagne? Everyone chipped in to prepare an item for lunch and helped with the clean up.

Well almost everyone, Grill Man breezed in just before lunch was ready wearing a “hungry-man” look. Do you know that look? It arrives on the scene about thirty minutes before H-A-N-G-R-Y rears its ugly head. Imperative to always avoid hangry, if possible! Folks, just trust me on this one.

When should I cook Never Fail Spirited Fig Pecan Bundt Cake?

Never Fail Spirited Fig Pecan Bundt Cake is a lovely dessert  to compliment any meal any time.  Once you make this cake, it will easily become one of your go to recipes. Recipe is easy enough to prepare and cake preserves well when you need to make ahead for easy entertaining later.

Using a bundt pan delivers a beautiful shape to your cake . Making a glaze instead of icing reduces the amount of sugar  required in recipe. In addition it saves time spent trying to make the cake look like the oh-my-Southern-Living-Holiday-cakes. It takes a skilled hand and multiple attempts to master an  iced cake. A glaze is a never fail option to add to your bundt cake.

Several years ago I attended a bake sale and purchased  one of the Wine Cakes. The women at the bake sale raved about how delicious the cake would taste. Of course, I asked about the recipe. Shirley and Myra were generous enough to share recipe and mail a copy. I have made a form of this cake ever since.

I adapted Shirley and Myra’s recipe to add in a bit of Mimi-ness.  Grill Man said that this version is his favorite so far. Grill Man may be a bit bias.

Shout out to Alexa, play Joe Cocker’s With a little help from my friends. Sometimes good friends are all that you need and for those other times, there is always wine or Never Fail Spirited Fig Pecan Bundt Cake.

More desserts for you to try as suggestions for your next event, family dinner or special table.

St Germain Creamy Cheesecake

Southern Comfort and Oh That Chocolate Pie

Updated 100 year old Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

Happy Cooking Y’all!

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With a busy schedule this weekend, I needed a dessert that would allow me to cook one recipe with a dessert yield for two different functions.  Multitasking is a great skill but I am only one woman. A girl needs to take a shortcut when its available. Chocolate Heavenly Bite Mini Tarts were the answer to a prayer. At this stage, I need every answered prayer I can get, even the chocolate covered ones.

I love any excuse to pack a picnic of any type. Include libations of choice, appetizers, dessert,  mix in a few friends and we are ready to picnic. No basket should be without the proper napkins, antibacterial wipes, wine opener and utensils. Recipe for a great afternoon with crisp air for the  outdoor concert. With chairs or blanket it is a perfect way to relax.

Halstead Amphitheather’s New Live at Five Series

September has started to introduce the cooling off period of our long hot Summer. Roman Street was playing their Spanish guitars to a packed crowd at Halstead Amphitheater.  The Live at Five Concert is a great outing for all ages. People mulling about while chatting with friends, little ones romping, and smiles all around as the sound of music filled the air.

I could not help but smile at the ease of it all. All of us no matter what our differences are enjoy good friends, food and music. As I scanned the crowd everyone looked happy they were outside, sharing time and food with each other.

Ideas for Picnic including Chocolate Heavenly Bite Mini Tarts

In my basket, I packed portable snacks that make sharing easy in an outdoor setting. Black seedless grapes that are the sweetest and pair perfectly with cheese from Sweet Home Farms. Remember, carrots or celery make a perfect vehicle for transporting hummus with chopped jalapeño into your mouth. Every little calorie savings helps offset the increased calories that comes with wine or cocktails.

Libations are necessary at a picnic, right? In addition, to adult beverages, every outdoor picnic needs a dose of chocolate.  Because of their size  serving utensils are not required which is perfect for a picnic. Chocolate Heavenly Bite Mini Tarts are easy to pop in your mouth.  I hope that you enjoy the dessert. Serve it as needed for your entertaining no matter the occasion.

Alexa Shout out to Roman Street. These guys are easy on the eyes and oh so talented.  Perfect music to cook by when you need upbeat with out the heavy metal banging. Later, y’all.

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I found the recipe when I purchased an old wooden box  from an estate sale in New Orleans.  The estate sale was in the Garden District in a fabulous three-story home. In the kitchen, I discovered my treasure. The recipe box contained a ton of recipes for anyone that loves good food or cooking. The full story may be found under post titled Southern Comfort and oh that Chocolate Pie.

In the wooden box, I found a handwritten unnamed dessert recipe that looked interesting.  It was loosely scribbled on notebook paper with three ingredients. The faded paper from an old ledger book  barely contained the following instructions:

Preheat over to 400 degrees and turn off. Mix, drop on sheets and leave in oven overnight or about three hours.

The first time I attempted this recipe, I prayed that I was not wasting my fresh pecans on a recipe that was missing an important item or vital instruction. Over the course of time, I have made this recipe several times and always been pleased with the results.

The Brown Sugar Bites Dessert will come in handy when you need a sweet item but don’t have  time for cooking or prep work. The ingredients should be on hand in any well stocked kitchen. Two trays could be ready at one time and popped in the oven to sit for the required three hours. Perhaps, you may choose to  place in oven for overnight until your  ready to deal with them in the morning.

In conclusion, Brown Sugar Bites Dessert will make a welcome addition to any gift basket, bridal or baby shower or luncheon.

Shout out to Alexa for Rolling Stones, Brown Sugar please. (That was too easy)

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As I review the recipes on my site, I have discovered my favorites, sweet and spicy. Sweet and spicy are delicious on their own but they certainly may be paired together for a succulent bite. The recipe focus today is cheesecake, chocolate and coffee. I have enjoyed learning how to  combine ingredients to blend flavors and sharing them with you. Of course, the best part is eating them.

My dessert marries together addictive ingredients that are hard to say no to chocolate and coffee. The farm fresh eggs add a delicious addition to the addictive pair.  Farm Fresh eggs are healthier for you to eat and taste better. Check the link for further information. If you live near a local farm, pick up fresh eggs. You won’t regret it.

This is an easy cheesecake to make in your home. A cheesecake is a great dessert to make ahead for company. The topping aids the flavor and assists if the cheesecake cracks a bit. The small amount of pecans and ganache are just enough to take this cheesecake to another level. It has just enough chocolate to satisfy without going overboard.

I hope that you enjoy my version of Cafe’ Cheesecake with pecans and chocolate. Each time that I make a cheesecake, they magically disappear. On my site you may also find a St Germain Cheesecake. It is a simpler version of this cheesecake. Both cheesecakes would be a great dessert  choice to serve for your next dinner party , event or St Patrick’s Day party.

In conclusion, this recipe pairs well with a cup of chicory coffee or your version of Cafe au lait. Enjoy!

Shout out to Alexa for Tina Turner.

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