Chocolate Fig Cake Recipe - Special Occasion Chocolate Fig Cake

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This is a delicious fig cake recipe that's perfect to serve on holidays and special occasions.

1 cup chopped figs, dried
1 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup applesauce
2 eggs
3 tablespoons cocoa
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups flour

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour an 8x12 baking dish.

In a large bowl, combine boiling water and figs. Add in the baking soda and let cool.

In another bowl, combine the vegetable oil, sugar, applesauce, eggs, cocoa, salt, vanilla; mix until smooth. Add 1/4 cup flour to the batter mixture; mix well.

Add in 1/2 of the fig mixture to batter; mix well.

Alternate adding remaining flour and fig mixture to batter until all ingredients are included; mix well.

Spread mixture into baking dish. Bake 50 minutes.

Best Chocolate Pound Cake

A rich tasting pound cake with the added flavors of cocoa and almond.

1/2 cup shortening
1 cup butter, softened
3 cups white sugar
5 egg yolks
5 egg whites
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/4 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan.

In a bowl, cream together the shortening and butter until light and fluffy. Gradually adding in sugar. Beat well with an electric mixer on medium speed. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating after each addition.

In another bowl, sift flour, baking powder, salt, cocoa and cinnamon together. Add flour mixture to creamed mixture, alternately with milk, begin and end with flour mixture. Mix just until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla and almond extracts.

In a clean bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold carefully into cake batter, mixing only until no streaks remain. Pour batter into prepared tube pan.

Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, remove from pan, and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Sour Cream Cake with Chocolate Chips

Sour cream gives this cake an extra layer of richness.

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 inch pan.

In a small bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and chocolate chips. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light. Add eggs and mix thoroughly. Add sour cream and mix well. Add flour mixture and mix thoroughly.

Pour batter into pan and bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown and springy on the top.

Chocolate Ganache Icing with Brandy

A decadently delicious chocolate spread that can be used in a variety of dessert dishes.

7 (1 ounce) squares bittersweet chocolate
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
3 tablespoons brandy

Directions

In a microwave proof bowl, melt chocolate squares, cream, butter or margarine, and brandy together for 30 seconds or until smooth. Allow icing to cool a little before spreading over cake.

Wedding Cake Ideas

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To some the idea of taking on the project of creating their own wedding cake may seem an ominous task. However, with a little planning, organization and creativity it can become a satisfying and memorable experience.

There are a myriad of books and websites dedicated to wedding cake ideas where one can find an abundance of resources. An aspiring wedding cake designer must first decide on the style and size of the cake, which can itself be quite a task. The bride's wedding colors and theme should be taken into consideration first and foremost. Generalized tastes of the anticipated guests should also be taken into consideration, although an exquisite cake can still be made to cater to a rather neutral palate.

A great place to find ideas and supplies for your wedding cake is at a large craft store. Most of these stores dedicate large areas of floor space to wedding themed products. Here one can find wedding cake ideas galore! These stores generally offer a wide assortment of cake toppers, lace, ribbons and flowers. Some may even supply the cardboard circles for each layer of the cake to rest on, parchment paper, pastry bags and pillar supports if the layers are to be raised.

A restaurant supply store is another good source for these supplies and a good place to stock up on various sized cake pans and icing spatulas.

Spring wedding cake ideas are generally inspired by flowers and pastels colors. A light angel cake can be tiered into a low tower and layered in between with fresh berries. A fresh fruit preserve can act as the wedding cake icing and can be delicately strewn with edible flowers such as nasturtium, violet, jasmine and lilac.
Many brides are breaking from the traditional round-layered cakes and opting for a fresh and edgy square wedding cake. These cakes tier just as well as the traditional round cakes and can be offset to create a diamond design. The square cakes also are the perfect canvas for an intricate icing or fondant latticework.

A traditional tiered round cake can easily be taken from simple to elegant with the addition of some ribbon. Craft stores supply innumerable spools of finely detailed ribbon that can surely be matched to a bridal theme. Simply cut pieces of the ribbon to the circumference of the layers, carefully wrap and secure with a toothpick. The possibilities are endless!

Diabetic Flourless Chocolate Cake

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1/2 cup Dutch process cocoa

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

3 tablespoons flour

2 teaspoons instant espresso powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

Pinch pepper

3/4 cup fat-free milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped

2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

1 egg

3 egg whites

1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/3 cup granulated sugar

Rich Chocolate Frosting:

2-3 teaspoons margarine, softened

1 cup confectioner's sugar

3 tablespoons Dutch process cocoa

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2-3 tablespoons fat-free milk

Combine cocoa, brown sugar, flour, espresso powder, salt and pepper in medium saucepan; gradually stir in milk and vanilla and mix until smooth. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until mixture is hot and sugar is dissolved (do not boil).

Remove saucepan from heat; add chocolate, stirring until melted. Whisk about 1/2 cup chocolate mixture into egg; whisk egg mixture back into saucepan. Cool to room temperature.

In medium bowl, beat egg whites until foamy; add cream of tartar and beat to soft peaks. Continue beating, gradually adding sugar until stiff, but not dry, peaks form. Stir about 1/4 of the egg whites into cooled chocolate mixture; fold chocolate mixture into remaining egg whites.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease bottom and sides of 9-inch round cake pan; line bottom of pan with parchment paper.

Pour batter into pan. Place pan in large roasting pan on center oven rack; add 1 inch hot water to roasting pan. Bake until just firm when lightly touched, 25-30 minutes (do not test with toothpick, as cake will still be soft in center). Cool completely on wire rack.

Refrigerate, covered, 8 hours or overnight.

To make frosting: Mix margarine, confectioners' sugar, cocoa and vanilla with enough milk to make a thin spreadable consistency.

Remove cake from refrigerator. Loosen side of cake from pan with sharp knife. Remove from pan and peel off parchment paper.

Place on serving plate. Frost top of cake with Rich Chocolate Frosting.

Yield: 10 servings

Nutrition information per slice: Calories 245 (27 percent from fat); fat 7.2 g (sat 3.7 g, mono 2.7 g, poly .6 g); protein 5 g; carbohydrates 46 g; fiber 2.86 g; cholesterol 22 mg; sodium 78 mg; calcium 60 mg.

Thai Food

Food Myths - Is Coffee Bad For You? Are All Sweeteners Bad? Food Facts and Myths Uncovered

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Did you stop eating eggs because of the cholesterol and have you cut out all food sweeteners? Trying to drink eight glass of water a day because you read it somewhere? Read most surprising food facts and myths.

FOOD MYTH 1: TEA DEHYDRATES YOU, SO DRINK WATER INSTEAD

Dietitian Dr Carrie Ruxton says new research shows that tea is just as effective as water in keeping you hydrated. She tested 21 men over a 12 hour period. Some were given tea to drink all day, the others were given water. Blood and urine samples were taken. The results were surprising. The tea-drinkers did not pee any more than the water-drinkers and their sodium and other vital salt levels remained virtually the same too. Dr Ruxton said "drinking moderate amounts of tea offered the same excellent hydration qualities as plain water".

FOOD MYTH 2: EGGS LEAD TO HIGH CHOLESTEROL

The British Nutrition Foundation found the cholesterol in eggs has only a small and clinically insignificant effect on blood cholesterol. Dr Bruce Griffen, a professor of nutritional metabolism at the University of Surrey put people on a two-egg-a-day low calorie diet for 12 weeks and found no significant rise in cholesterol levels. In fact, eggs fill you up better so they make the ideal breakfast choice. So you do not need to limit the number of eggs you eat to 3 or 4 a week, just make them a normal part of a balanced diet. To reduce cholesterol, instead you need to cut down on saturated fat such as fatty meat, cakes, cookies and full fat dairy products.

FOOD MYTH 3: YOU NEED TO DRINK 8 GLASSES OF WATER A DAY

A study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania looked into the supposed benefits of drinking eight glasses of water a day and found no evidence it leads to plumper skin, detoxification or weight loss. The amount of water a person needs varies according to the individual. If you are thirsty or if your urine is dark yellow, you need to take in some fluid (and see Myth One: this can be tea!)

FOOD MYTH 4: HEALTHY FOOD IS MORE EXPENSIVE

Often, healthier food is cheaper as it tastes so good, you do not need to eat as much of it in order to feel satisfied and full. Beans for example, are one of the healthiest foods you can and they are so much cheaper than meat especially heavily processed and cured meat such as bacon or pancetta.

FOOD MYTH 5: LOW FAT OR REDUCED FAT FOODS ARE BETTER FOR YOU

Foods labeled 'low fat' or 'reduced fat' just means they have around 30% less fat than the standard choices but that still may mean they contain fat. Low fat foods often contain a lot of sugar to make up the taste or unhealthy carbohydrate substitutes. Plus, if something is labeled 'low fat', you might be inclined to eat more of it. You know, when you order a pizza but think it's okay because you're only having a diet coke!

FOOD MYTH 6: Going vegetarian will help you lose weight

Some vegetarian meals may contain a lot of fat. Cheese, pastry, cream, oil, butter are all high in fat. Of course, a diet rich in vegetables, seeds, pulses and fruit should remain a part of any healthy, balanced diet.

FOOD MYTH 7: YOU PILE ON THE WEIGHT IF YOU EAT LATE AT NIGHT

Scientists studied monkey who ate 65% of their calories at night and found they weighed the same as monkeys who only had 6% of their calories at night. The trouble with night time eating is not the time, it is the type of food we tend to eat then: TV snacks such as chocolate, cookies, nachos and chips. We often eat at night because we are bored, or it has become a habit to eat when watching TV, or we feel a need to 'reward' ourselves after a long day so look at WHAT you eat rather than WHEN you eat.

FOOD MYTH 8: FOOD SWEETENERS ARE BAD FOR YOU

There is one food sweetener which has proven health benefits: XYLITOL. Xylitol has been used as a sugar replacement since the sixties. It is often used in packaged food for diabetics and studies show it reduces tooth-decay in certain cases. Six US dental associations have officially endorsed xylitol in sugarfree candies and chewing gum.

Thai Food

Nutrition - Foods For a Healthy Liver

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Our liver is a very important organ in the body. Its main role is to process and eliminate the by-products of the food we eat. It also plays a role in detoxing the body of unwanted chemicals and toxins as well regulating our metabolism.

However, the western diet is becoming increasingly unhealthier with many people eating processed and junk food. These foods also include foods that are high in refined sugar such as cakes, cookies and chocolate. As well as been high in sugar they all so contain additives and preservatives. These types of food put pressure on the liver and make its job harder to do. Drinking alcohol can also damage the liver as it contains a high degree of toxins.

Below is a list of foods that you can include in your diet to help support the health of your liver.

Water

Water is the most effective detoxing liquid you can consume. Drinking plenty of water during the day makes the livers job of detoxing a lot easier. As well as water include regular freshly squeezed fruit drinks as they contain healthy enzymes and important nutrients that help support the function of the liver.

Fruits

Dark skinned fruits are very good at supporting and maintaining the health of the liver. Eat dark skinned fruit such as red grapes, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries. These fruits contain essential nutrients that help to stimulate and leverage the functions of the liver. These fruits can be eaten on their own or made in to a healthy refreshing fruit drink.

Vegetables

Fresh organic vegetables contain vitamins and minerals that help with balancing and repairing a stressed out liver. One of the symptoms of a stressed out and over worked liver are feelings of tiredness and lethargy. When many people feel this way they feel the need for a fast energy boost. The usual thing they go for are sugary snacks and chocolate. This may give a temporary boost however, it makes the situation worse because these foods stress out the liver more and compound the problem.

Avoid eating sugary snacks when you feel low in energy. There are naturally sweet vegetables that you can use as an alternative. A great one is the sweet potato. As its names suggest this has a sweet taste however, the natural sweetness will not raise your blood sugar levels. It will actually help to regulate it. Sweet potato is a very versatile vegetable to eat and tastes delicious when roasted or used in a soup.

Other vegetables that are good for the liver are as follows:

Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cauliflower
Cucumber
Celery
Ginger
Onions

If you have a health condition or you are on medication always seek the advice of doctor before making any changes to your diet.

Thai Food

What is Your Best Chocolate Dessert?

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What could be considered as the best chocolate dessert? Wow, how does a person answer that question? Maybe, the way we do it is by analyzing what we mean when we say best chocolate dessert. The Key here is chocolate. A lot of desserts may have chocolate in them, but it is a secondary flavor. A true chocolate dessert has chocolate at the heart of the whole thing. It is the base item from which the rest of the dessert is built.

We have to eliminate desserts that do not feature the chocolate as the main ingredient. Chocolate is used to add to the flavor in desserts, but is not the main source. Ice creams, donuts, unless completely chocolate, sauces, fruit dishes with chocolate sauces, cakes with the frosting, etc, would not be considered as best chocolate desserts. I have one for you, though, I think I only finished one whole piece in one setting, it was so rich.

I know there are many desserts that could jump and say they are the best chocolate dessert, but find themselves voted out of the contest, because chocolate is not the main ingredient. It has to be chocolate in its origin, and through the whole creative process, and stand alone as a chocolate heavyweight contender.

Ok, so here is my choice. It is called Chocolate Suicide. If we want to consider the chocolate of all, for me, it is Chocolate Suicide. It is a triple layer deep chocolate cake, with chocolate cream, like fudge, but creamier, between each layer, and topped with the same, and, if that's not enough, a wedge of chocolate bar in the top of each piece. The text messaging people would now write OMG!

This wins for me as the best chocolate dessert. I have tasted many chocolate desserts in my lifetime, believe me, but I am yet to find anything that represents pure, unadulterated chocolate to this day. Perhaps there is some lonely chocolate dessert waiting for me to discover it somewhere in thr frontiers of chocolate discovery, but until then...

Thai Food

Whole Wheat Breakfast Ideas For When You're on the Go

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One great on the go breakfast idea might be an almond honey power bar. These bars are packed with roasted nuts, seeds, and oats and they also have a tasty almond butter flavor to them. Also, these bars are actually softer if you leave them out of the fridge, and they will give you that boost of energy you need to start your day off right. Another option is banana bran muffins. They are full of fiber, and also allow you to use up and enjoy any bananas that may be on their way to going bad. You can even add some dark chocolate chips for some extra flavor that is still good for you.

Still another option may be some spice cake. Yes, it is cake, but it is nutritious with olive oil that is good for the heart and whole wheat flour. It is also has walnuts for some more texture and a delicious, yet good for you on the go breakfast. Finally, there is also the popular granola option for a healthy breakfast you can enjoy just about anywhere. You can use your favorite granola and dried fruit for some extra flavor and even more energy.

Many of us tend to feel guilty about eating too much fast food but then we justify it because we do not have time for anything else. Well with many different food options and choices this may not be the case anymore. All of these options provide you with a healthy alternative to stopping at the drive-thru in the morning and they may even help you to lose weight and feel better too.

Thai Food

Easy Chocolate Cake Roll

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Here is a recipe that my family loves. I like to add some variety to this roll by sprinkling white chocolate chips on the whipped topping before I roll it up.

Easy Chocolate Cake Roll

The Cake:
1/3 cup cake flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs, separated
1 cup granulated sugar, divided
confectioner's sugar

The Filling
1 container (8 oz.) frozen whipped topping, thawed

Making the cake

1. preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 15 x 10 inch jelly roll pan with waxed paper. Grease and flour lined pan; tap out excess. (*NOTE: If you don't have a 15 x 10 in. pan you can use an 11 x 16 pan. I don't have a 15 x 10 in. so I use a 11 x 16 in. air bake pan, you need to be sure to spread the batter evenly if you use this size.)

2. In medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix well. In a separate bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat egg yolks and 1/4 cup sugar until fluffy.

3. In a small bowl, using clean beaters, (this is important!) beat egg whites on high until foamy. Gradually add 1/2 cup sugar, beating until stiff/ peaks form, but not dry.

4. Fold 1/3 beaten egg whites into egg yolk mixture. alternately fold in remaining whites and flour mixture. Pour batter in pan; smooth top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 15 minutes.

Rolling and Filling Cake

1. Dust a clean cloth with remaining sugar. (*NOTE The more sugar you spread over the cloth the easier it will be to get the cake off it later. Also trimming the cake removes the crusted edges so it's easier to roll.) Turn cake out onto prepared cloth; remove waxed paper. Trim the cake edges with a scissors.

2. Starting with a long side, tightly roll up cake with cloth. Transfer cake, seam side down, to a wire rack to cool.

3. Unroll cake; remove cloth. Spread whipped topping over cake to within 1/2 in. of edges. Re-roll cake; place seam-side down on a plate. Dust with confectioner's sugar before serving.

Serves 10

Place cake in freezer 20 minutes before you're ready to serve for easier slicing. Use a large serrated knife and a gentle sawing motion to cut the cake cleanly.

Thai Food