Chocolate Guinness Cake

Rob's birthday is today, but we celebrated early while his mom was here.  I got this recipe from a co-worker at Container Store a few weeks ago and was so excited to try it out!  It turned out pretty well ;)

Chocolate Guinness Cake
Servings: about 16 (one double layer 9" cake)

• 1 1/2 cup Guinness
• 1 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup dark cocoa powder
• 3 cups flour
• 3 cups sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 2/3 cup sour cream

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour two 9" cake pans

1. Place Guinness and butter in a large saucepan and heat until butter melts. Remove pan from heat and add cocoa powder. Whisk until smooth and cool to room temperature
2. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in large bowl and set aside.
3. Beat egg and sour cream.  Mix in Guinness-cocoa mizture.
4. Add flour mixture and combine at slow speed.
5. pour into cake pans and bake for 35 minutes.  
6. Cool

I used the Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting that Ruth gave me the recipe for and it was delicious!

Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting

Fairly simple to make.  I got this recipe from my co-worker Ruth and used it for Rob's birthday cake.  I liked the frosting the best, he liked the cake the best.


Makes 8 Cups

• 1 Lb (4 cups) confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coacoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 12 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 18 oz bittersweet chocolated, melted anc cooled
• 1 1/2 cup sour cream

1. Sift together confectioners' sugar, cocoa, and salt
2. With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter until pale and fluffy
3. Gradually add sugar mixture and mix until combined
4. mix in melted and cooled chocolate
5. Mix in sour cream and continue beating until smooth
6. Use immediately

 can be stored in refrigerator up to 5 days, or frozen up to one month in airtight container.

Honey Dijon Chicken

This is a quick and really easy chicken recipe for dinner that we found through our TurboFire nutrition guide.

Honey Dijon Chicken
Servings: 4
Via: TurboFire Nutrition Guide

• 4 6-oz. chicken breasts halves
• 1/3 cup Dijon mustard
• 3 Tbs. honey
• Parsley flakes & salt to taste

1. Mix Dijon mustard with honey and add parsley flakes and salt.  
2. Coat chicken breasts and grill until done.  Quick, easy, simple.
3. We served it on a salad of spinach and cucumber with some home made sourdough garlic parmesan toast

Garlic Parmesan Toast

Servings: 6

Via: TurboFire Nutrition Guide

• 6 slices sourdough bread
• Garlic salt
• 2 Tbsp. grated parmesan cheese
• butter flavored nonstick cooking spray (we used a small amount of butter)

1. spray cooking spray on bread
2. sprinkle garlic salt and cheese
3. place in broiler or toaster oven until crispy

Pasta Bolognese

Yesterday, after work, I got home and had no clue what I should make for work. After a few minutes on Food Gawker, I found this delicious recipe! Not only was it easy and relatively quick to make, but it completely blew me away! I totally recommend it and will be making it again soon.

Notes: I didn't use celery last night because I ran out and forgot to get more, but I plan to use it next time.  Dainty Chef recommends a specific kind of pasta sauce, but I just used what I had in the house.


Pasta Bolognese
via Dainty Chef

Ingredients:

• 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil 
• 1 Full Peeled Carrot Finely Chopped 
• 1 Celery Stalk Finely Chopped
• 1/2 An Onion, Diced 2 Garlic Cloves, Diced 
• 1 Teaspoon Oregano
• 1 Teaspoon Basil
• 1/2 Ground Beef 
• 1/2 Jar of Tomato & Basil Sauce (not a large or family sized jar)
• 1/4 Cup of Milk/Cream
• 1/2 Cup of Cooking Red Wine 
• Salt/Pepper
• Pasta

Sauce:

1. Heat olive oil on medium/high heat in a large saucepan. Add carrots, celery, onion, garlic, oregano, and basil. Cook vegetables until they become translucent (5-10 mins) stirring frequently.
2. Add ground beef & a pinch of salt/pepper to pan. Cook until brown. While cooking, make sure to break up the clumps with a wooden/silicone spoon.
3. Add tomato sauce and red wine. Cook on medium-high heat until sauce boils. Reduce heat. Add milk slowly, stirring while you add it, and simmer for as long as you’d like. Minimum 25 mins.
4. While sauce is simmering, make pasta.
5. Enjoy with fresh grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano.

Sources: Food Gawker > Dainty Chief > Adam Loves Food