Culinary Goods

So, this is a soup from our childhood that my Mom would make on Halloween. I think the recipe originally came from Lynnette Barrington. This is a comfort food for us, and I typically make it on Halloween as well. Cheese Soup 2 cups diced carrots 3/4 cup onion 1 1/2 cups celery, chopped 1 cup Bisquick or ½ cup flour We do 1/3 cup of flour and make a roux instead of adding it to the liquid shake paprika 1 cup half and half 1/2 tsp pepper I also add 1 tsp. salt 4 cups chicken broth 2 cups grated cheddar cheese We use sharp 3/4 cup butter I use about 5 Tbs. per batch 1 cup milk Sauté vegetables in butter; add spices. Stir in chicken broth and heat until at a gentle boil—boil 1 minute and turn down heat. Add Bisquick, take off heat, and add dairy products. Serve in bread bowls.

So, the inspiration for this came from cakebycourtney.com, but I did my own things. This cake is so rich. I literally was sick the morning after I ate it, but don’t let that deter you. It was a winner—probably a 9. I would eat a smaller piece with ice cream next time (somehow that seems lighter—what is wrong with me?). Anyway, I did a layer of cake, a layer of coconut mousse, the coconut nut caramel layer, then covered it in ganache and repeated. The outside was frosted in the mousse, I put some chocolate drips down the side, ganache on top, more mousse swirls and the coconut almond candy thing. Seriously, it’s good. However, I ran out of coconut mousse, hence the naked cake decorating style on the sides. It might have collapsed with any more fat on it though, so it all worked out fine. Chocolate Cake 1 cup cocoa I use dutch process 2 cups boiling water 2 3/4 cup sifted flour I sift this first, then measure to 350 grams 2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1 cu