Happy Birthday To Me
March 7th, 2008
Hurray for me. Today is my birthday.
Last night, I decided to make a German Chocolate Cake. Amy thought I shouldn't have to make my own cake, but I wanted to try one from scratch. The cake used real melted chocolate and I folded in whipped egg whites. The frosting was pretty standard fare with egg yolks, evaporated milk, sugar, etc. I didn't have a piece until tonight. I cooked the cake a little too much and it was slightly dry. I'll post the recipes on here later. It is my birthday, after all.
March 7th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Happy Birthday Joe!
All my love,
Amy
March 7th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Happy Birthday to the best brother…..
March 7th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Um. I’m your ONLY brother.
March 8th, 2008 at 9:58 am
It should be against the LAW to put such a delicious Photo of my favorite cake on your web site where I can’t even get a slice,
Shame on YOU!
Pop
March 9th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Hi Joe,
It is hard to know what to buy for you – didn’t know what to get for your birthday present. Dad and I called on your birthday, but, did not get a present – we were still pondering what to do for you.
I came up with an idea to give you a series of ‘the rest of the story’ as Paul Harvey would call it. I hope this will be a gift that the whole family will enjoy – the story behind the story of our family’s favorite foods.
I also decided to share the science behind the food – why you really don’t need to follow a recipe exactly. I know it will give away some secrets, but, that is what this is all about, isn’t it?
It amazes people when you don’t need a recipe – but, there really is a method behind that – and there are some guidelines that you need to follow. It comes naturally for you because you were raised by someone who did a lot of reading about food science – and who was adventurous with what she learned (That’s me).
Who knows, your Dad might get inspired to share his version of the stories too.
Not that we are planning on dying anytime soon – but, I am chuckling about a family cooking story that I heard -
A new bride cut off the end of the ham and put the end right beside the big part of the ham and stuck it in the oven. Her husband innocently asked why she cut the end off of the ham.
She looked at him blankly and then called her Mom to ask her – ‘Mom, why do we cut the end of the ham off?’
This new bride’s Mom said she had no idea – and called her Mother to see why their family cut the end of the ham off. Her Mom said, ‘Oh, my pan was too small!’
I am grateful that the Grandma was still alive so that she could explain this culinary dilemma to her family – and that this new bridegroom got his question answered – aren’t you? (I do still find myself wondering if the new bride ever got adventurous enough to keep the end of her ham on when she cooked one after that.)
Happy birthday a few days late – I actually started posting comments yesterday – you have already noticed that – and now, you know why – you know the rest of the story……
Mom
March 9th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Happy Birthday Joe!
Sorry it’s late, forgot when your Bday was! That cake looks awesome!
March 10th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Mine was dry when I made it from scratch, too. I think it’s the recipe more than the baking time. Might try adding a cup of sour cream. That’s my “secret” ingredient any time I make a chocolate cake, even from a mix. Makes it very moist and yummy.
Ok, off to my Weight Watchers meeting now…
March 10th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Food Fact:
German desserts are primarily dry cakes – very thin – several layers with scrumptious fillings added between each layer.
When we make a German Chocolate Cake that is moist – and has only 2 or 3 layers – it is Americanized.
March 11th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Joe,
Have you posted any pictures of you and your bride-to-be?
Happy Birthday, oh yeah, I showed Tricia, my wife, your site and the pics of the bike and explained to her how you made your own bags, she was surprised at that, I told her if you went to school with him, you would not be surprised because he was one of the very few guys at Rose who did not seem to sweat too much trying to figure out just about anything. Reading some of your family’s posts gives me a little picture of why that is! Very cool.
SC
March 11th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
She can see the bags being made, if she hasn’t already, on this page.
I also put up a picture of Amy and I.