Something Delicious

[ahk]

I was just wondering what your birthday traditions were food wise? Does food play a huge role (family meals, going out with friends) or is it just something that happens at somepoint during the day?

[COLOR="rgb(154, 205, 50)"]Well, when its my birthday, I always ask for a coconut cake. Why? Because when I was a kid, my nana would always get me one (Sara Lee), but as I have grown up, I like home made. My wife, she makes a really good one, with dried cherries, dried apricots, walnuts, coconut, and cream cheese icing, its kind of like a Italian Wedding cake, but her version.

If its others in my family-- I usually make them cupcakes, something fun and tasty. I think cupcakes are fun!![/COLOR]

Do any of you have any favorite birthday or special occasion recipes, restaurants or desserts???

[COLOR="rgb(154, 205, 50)"]Hmm... I like home cooked meals. I don't have a favourite, or PIZZA. You just can't go wrong with that![/COLOR]

Birthday cake? Icecream cake? Cupcakes?

[COLOR="rgb(154, 205, 50)"]See above.[/COLOR]

I have been thinking about this over the course of the last week. I haven't focused much on it, but the idea of picking out a cake is always a serious task. There is so much to choose from! Do you go with your all time favorite or to mark a special milestone or change in your life, do you go with something completely different?

Homemade? Locally made/purchased? Store bought?

[COLOR="rgb(154, 205, 50)"]See above.[/COLOR]

I am sorry if this is way off topic but birthdays have always been something I have celebrated for my friends. Only a few times since I was a kid have I really appreicated the meaning for myself. This year I get it. Last year I wanted to but turning 30 is scary and yes I realize it is irrational in a lot of ways. It was celebrated but I dreaded it. I am dreading this one because now it's going to be official. Not 30 anymore but actually INTO the 30's, like the twilight zone? LOL

I am sorry for rambling but I just woke up from a ridiculously sweet 3 hour nap and I had dreams of dancing icecream cones. How appropriate for me to post in here.

Ramble on. LOL.

Originally Posted by meridiantoo

So, I'm making homemade spaghetti sauce tonight and wondering what others add to their sauce to make it awesome?

I made a basic recipe tonight: Ground chuck, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sauteed onions/bell peppers/garlic, kosher sea salt/pepper, Italian seasoning blend, 1 bay leaf, and a lot of hopeful anticipation.

I like for my sauce to simmer a good 3 hours, at least, before I eat it.

What about you guys?

[COLOR="rgb(154, 205, 50)"]I am like Sun, I will do a quick and easy sauce in 15 minutes or less -- as he/hy stated below. My honey loves this version better.

But I also make a "all day simmer" pot of sauce-- I take ground meat, garlic, onions, basil, oregano, salt/pepper, a little sugar, and about 2 bags of frozen chopped spinach. I let it cook -- Its really tasty. I like it -- Its more like a ragu.

See below. hehe.[/COLOR]

Originally Posted by Sun

Sounds great as it is. I do 2 sauces one quick: Start with chopped fresh garlic sauteed in olive oil for a few minutes (do not brown just soften) fresh basil, plum tomato's. That's it. Cook less than 15 mins. Longer releases too much acid.

Longer sauce: Start by sauteeing garlic in olive oil, add beef and pork cuts (depends on what inspires me at market) plum tomato's, basil and a little oregano (fresh if I can get it or dried if I can not) simmer for several hours. This is closer to what my Italian relatives brought from Italy.

see above.

Originally Posted by Corkey

It's OLD LOL cocoa and Miracle whip in place of eggs. Thats it!

something along these lines...??



(Can someone help me-- why can't I get my colours correct?) I am not re-editing. Sorry about that!!