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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Start this weekend and plan to serve at your next Au Revoir Covid, Hello Summer Watermelon dinner. If you make a batch of infused watermelon vodka now, it will give you something to celebrate when this covid-ness is not the topic of our day.

Why do you need Auvoir Covid, Hello Summer Watermelon?

By the way, when will we be able to say au revoir to covid? No one really knows at this point. Today you will find as many opinions about all aspects of the virus as sand on the beach. It does not matter whether you are talking about origination, proper protection, best practices or how the hell do we make it go away.

Everyone would love for it to magically evaporate if only this was an option. Until then, we must find a way to function in our daily lives and stay safe. Ignoring a pandemic or pretending that your age, health, economic status or even location will protect you alone is foolish. Everyone is at risk. Be safe.

Remember to stay safe during Covid haze

To eliminate risk you will need to follow guidelines, stay alert, pay attention to surroundings and limit unnecessary exposures. Even if you do everything correct, you may still acquire the contagion. The risk has not evaporated but with best practices we should be able to avoid it.

Clearly, I am not hiding in my house but trying to be smart about my choices. One day soon I hope, all of this covid-ness will be a thing of the past. My Hoda Kotb project is helping with the day to day of covid. Until then, buy a watermelon from your local farmer or farmers market and start a batch of Au Revoir Covid, Hello Summer Watermelon.

This year, I added my watermelon to a 5 gallon beverage dispenser. Any time I want to sample the fruits of my labor Au Revoir Covid, Hello Summer Watermelon is ready to go. One vintage cocktail glass filled with ice, turn on the spigot and report directly to the porch.

Right now the porch is quiet and dreams of livelier days. Hopefully soon the porch and I will host a reason to celebrate with Au Revoir Covid, Hello Summer Watermelon . Until then, enjoy this new song, Living in a Ghost Town.

Shout out to Alexa for the newest Rolling Stones song.

“You can look for me
But I can’t be found
You can search for me
I had to go underground
Life was so beautiful
Then we all got locked down
Feel a like ghost
Living in a ghost town, yeah”

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In the process of heating the magic sauce, my Dad walked into the kitchen and complained about the strong vinegar smell. He has a strong aversion to all things vinegar. At that point, I wondered if he would even eat the salad.

With his complaint officially registered, I had my doubts if he would make a happy plate. Would I attempt his method of parenting about food? I can almost hear me saying, “Here is a big spoonful. You can’t leave the table until your plate is clean. And Mother can’t save you.”

Can you hear the evil cackle?

I’m not sure if this glimmer into my childhood is making you cackle or not, but I’m laughing. Oddly enough even with his vinegar aversion, my Dad enjoyed the Unprocessed Candied Jalapeno Coleslaw. Pretty sure that it surprised even him.

What to do if little ones don’t want Unprocessed Candied Jalapeno Coleslaw?

My nephews also tried the coleslaw but I didn’t ask for a review. Little one manages to lick his lips on cue for photo opp. However they both enjoyed the corn pudding and caramel cake that I served along with the coleslaw. It takes time for little ones to really enjoy food unless its pizza, burgers, or sugar.

If you’re struggling to get little ones to eat a variety of foods it makes life difficult for everyone. A local writer wrote a post about this idea and I thinks its a good one. Read all about, The Two Bite Rule.

I decided to cut this salad fresh myself in lieu of processed coleslaw packages. All of the ingredients were stored in my refrigerator or pantry. If you don’t have candied jalapenos, check out this recipe from Foodie With Family.

If you enjoy spicy and fresh food, prepare Unprocessed Candied Jalapeno Coleslaw. It is a side dish that will stand along side any protein. Let me know what you think about this recipe, I would love to hear from you.

Lagniappe: Grill Man and I both think Unprocessed Candied Jalapeno Coleslaw would be awesome on a pulled pork sandwich.

Alexa Shout out to Louis Jordan for Coleslaw

Stay well!
With love from Mimi’s Kitchen,

Mimi

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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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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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Cinco de Mayo is around the corner and requires a Smoky Roasted Poblano, Tomatillo and Tomato Salsa that is delicious. Since I love Mexican food whipping up a salsa would be easy. Using fresh ingredients and the flavors that I love in Mexican food are easy to combine until you reach just the right amount of spicy heat and flavor magic.

Princess is planning a Cinco de Mayo party so this Smoky Roasted Poblano, Tomatillo and Tomato Salsa will come in handy. Maybe preparing a dish ahead of time will allow me to focus on an adorable outfit instead of grabbing the closest item that fits.  Every Cinco de Mayo party needs a spicy senorita and salsa.

What goes into a Smoky Roasted Poblano, Tomatillo and Tomato Salsa?

Poblano and jalapeno peppers marry well together with tomatillo and tomatoes. Throw in seasonings, onion, garlic, chipotle with adodo sauce and it is a party in your mouth. During Spring and Summer I love the wide variety of fresh ingredients that are available at local farmers market. Ingredients that make you want to reach out and touch them. Or is it just me?

My market had vine ripened tomatoes that smelled delicious as I walked down the aisle. Tomatoes that screamed to be joined in a salad, sauce or salsa. Poblano and jalapeno peppers were so beautiful that I grabbed a bunch without having any idea how I would use.

Roasting the poblano peppers, tomatillo and whole garlic in the oven will intensify the natural flavors. Prepare the other ingredients while roasting and it will shorten your time in the kitchen. Warning the smells from your oven will make you hungry. Recipe is so easy to make and once your finished reward yourself with a icy cold margarita, chips and Smoky Roasted Poblano, Tomatillo and Tomato Salsa.

Alexa Shout out to Roman Street for Cinco off of the latest album Bohemia. Cinco goes well with Smoky Roasted Poblano, Tomatillo and Tomato Salsa.

Lagniappe: If you need an easy meal to make ahead for a large crowd check out recipe for Working Mom’s Chicken Enchiladas. Pair with a fresh salsa, guacamole and pitcher of margarita’s. For a different salsa choice, try this version Tres amigas Salsa. 

Happy Cooking Y’all.

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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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There are a couple of things that I would give up before my crock pot. And it’s not because I have a fancy-smancy crock pot. Oh no, my crock pot is a hand-me-down. My last crock pot was attacked in his home on the bottom of the pantry. A high-level canned good took ‘ole crock out. Our house went into mourning, our  beloved crock pot had delivered  for a long time.

Finally, just when I thought I was going to get a high-tech crock, my bonus Mom came to the rescue with a slightly worn but loved extra. Best part about my slightly worn crock is that it is simple. No bells and whistles for me to ponder over or operating manuals to read. Besides, it’s only a matter of time before a high-level canned good takes it out.

Roasted vegetables in the oven for an hour add extra flavor to this sauce. While the vegetables are roasting, I use this time to cook the sausage. When the sausage and vegetables are cooked, its time to marry together all the ingredients in the crock pot. Set the dial of the crock pot on low and leave it for 12-16 hours.

A delicious hearty and thick sauce that will stand up to any pasta. Serve with crusty  garlic bread, salad and a glass of vino. In my research I found a great wine and food pairing site. Check out their wine suggestions for red sauce with pasta. Food and wine pairing is always an important thing to consider for a meal.

Alexa shout out to Dean Martin for “That’s Amore”.  I enjoyed watching the suave and talented men in the “Rat Pack” as a girl. Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis were witty, dancing men that could sing and make a girl swoon.

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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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