Wicked Wiki-Waki Cake

I received this depression-era recipe from one of my patients, and boy am I glad they decided to share this with me.

Wiki-Waki (or Wacky) Cake apparently originated in the Great Depression, when oil and eggs were not affordable - and therefore not readily stocked in people's homes.  As a result, the need for a creative cake recipe that did not call for such ingedients was fulfilled by Wacky Cake.  I had never even heard of this cake prior to my patient sharing this with me...so an intrigued me decided to make this yesterday (it also happened to be my grandma's 78th birthday...nice coincidence).  This cake is so deliciously moist and dense - almost a brownie-like texture.  I just had another piece tonight - and am already looking forward to having more tomorrow.  For the icing, I just used ready made milk chocolate icing...you can make your own glaze or spreadable icing, or more simply, just sprinkle some powdered sugar on top.  I will also say that I do not own a sifter - so I just made sure the dry ingredients were mixed really, really well.  Also - do not be alarmed when the addition of vinegar makes the dry mixture fizz and bubble a bit.  Enjoy!

Here is the recipe:

Wiki-Waki Cake

You will need:

3 3/8 cup flour                                  2 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cup sugar                                 2 3/4 Tablespoon vinegar
4 1/2 Tablespoon cocoa                    3/4 cup melted butter
3/4 teaspoon salt                               2 1/4 cup cold water
2 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease and flour a 13x9 pan.  Sift dry ingredients well; add wet ingredients.  Beat 2 minutes by hand.  Bake for 30 minutes, or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. 

XOXO........................................Tiff. 

Vitalicious Love

How do I love thee, VitaTops? Let me count the ways.

1. You come in the most delicious flavors (triple chocolate chunk, deep chocolate, banana fudge, fudgey peanut butter chip....the list goes on).

2. Not only do you have 15 vitamins and minerals, you are a measly 100 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 3 grams of protein and a whopping 5 grams of fiber.

3. You are only 1 teeny tiny point on Weight Watchers (for all you WW fans out there).

4. You are good for pretty much any meal, snack, or dessert of the day.

5. You have so many varieties: brownies, muffins, muffin tops, cake mixes, and cakes!

6. You always provide the best coupon codes - such as this one, good until 2/27/10:

use EBBQTT7YQ at check out to score 6 free VitaTops with the purchase of a 24 pack.

Go here to get yours.

XOXO.................................................................................Tiff.

Fantastic Bolognese Recipe

These lazy, snowy days beg for a slow cooked meal. If you have some time, this recipe is totally worth it. It gets better over the next few days, as well, and is easily freeze-able. Enjoy!

Follow this link for the recipe.

XOXO....................Tiff.

Free Pint of Creamer? Yes, Please!

International Delights is running a promotion on Facebook where they are giving away 100,000 free pints of coffee creamer - whatever flavor you'd like! All you have to do is become a fan of International Delights on Facebook - click on Holiday Giveaway, and it will give you further instructions. Happy coffee drinking!

XOXO..............................................Tiff.

Lightened up Comfort Foods

Hi. It's cold outside. Like, really cold. So I bet you're craving some comfort foods, but this is in direct contradiction to that New Year's Resolution. isn't it? Put an end to that inner struggle and fret not about throwing that resolution down the drain on day 6 of the new year. Here is a great compilation of lightened-up comfort foods for you to choose from. Enjoy...guilt-free. :)

Check it out here.

XOXO...............................Tiff.

Display Worthy Measuring Cups

I saw these super cute measuring cups in the latest issue of Cooking Light and had to share. Why does cooking have to be boring? Mix it up (and gain something cute to display in your kitchen) by using these adorable Puffer Bird cups from Anthropologie. $36.00.

Check them out here.

XOXO......................................Tiff.

I wish I could have studied this in college...

Pizzology is, hands down, my most favorite pizza place in all of Indianapolis. And being that it opened in mid-November, it has won my heart (and taste-buds) rapidly. Apparently it has done the same for so many others, as the place is completely PACKED every time I'm in there. I've dined in once, and gone the take-out route twice. I'm pretty sure everything is better when you eat it right away, but the take-out is still really delish.

Neal Brown has achieved the perfect pizza - for all those New York pizza lovers, go here immediately. A perfectly foldable, doughy yet enjoyably chewy crust is topped with a delicious sauce (I've only tried the red sauce pizzas - they do have a whole host of pizzas with white sauce) and house-made cheeses and meats. Pepperoni pizza is no longer boring here - deliciously zesty pepperoni and strategically melted fresh mozzarella rest atop a spiced up red sauce. And people who eat pizza with me know I do not eat the crust at the end - until now. Pizzology's brick oven pizza bakes their pizzas to perfection and I have to say, I love the little black spots that give it so much oven-baked flavor.

The chop salad is a great starter, with a great combo of salty prosciutto and citrusy vinaigrette. As for pastas - the bolognese is to die for and definitely don't shy away from the risotto of the day.

Pizzology Pizzeria and Pub

13190 Hazel Dell Parkway

Carmel, IN 46033

3178442550

XOXO..................................................................Tiff.