Fresh Approach Cooking

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When I meet a new person that I instantly feel I could pick a flawless gift for, I know I have found someone I can really call a friend.

It's a formula that has always worked for me. Especially since I heart giving presents...

Honestly! I could buy gifts in my (beauty) sleep for Ms McGee and the (former) Queen of the Valley. Simple. (If we still hung out. Which we don't. Pout.) And The Ombudsman? Heck, I have a list 20 items long and growing. Ms. Va-Voom? I send her random packages on a regularly scheduled basis. Can't help myself really. And if you happen to love The Original Peach too, I believe she has a wish list somewhere on her blog...but I never have to refer to it...

What makes my nearest and dearest so easy to gift, is simple. They all have taste, style and interests that are well-rounded, fascinating and/or fab. All the makings of a genius of a person and a delight of a friend. Nothing beige about my peeps.

Which brings me to The Hostess (and her one true love, The Host). I knew she was a sparkling-bright soul before I went to their house, but when I laid eyes on that setting, lemme tell ya...I could not help but sigh with delight. That girl, she has style for days. The best style imaginable. And The Host? Builds furniture! Simply inspiring. Clever, crafty, musical, cool, spirited people. And easy as pie to give gifts to. Don't you just want to, too?

It would be a bit random of me (though not entirely out of character, I assure you) to start shopping for people I just got to know so, she is such a fab hostess, I figured I could start with a fab hostess gift. I whipped up this autumnal decadence without a second thought, and knew she would love it. And she did. And it was good and it was spectacular.

Dark, spicy, moist and delicious, what more could you ask for on a brisk fall day?

So try it, and enjoy!

2 cups white flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
Pinch of salt
1/2 pound of softened butter (that is 2 sticks)
1 1/2 (1.5) cups white sugar
1/2 (.5) cup packed dark brown sugar
4 large eggs
1/4 cup brandy
1 teaspoon baking soda mixed with 1 tablespoon warm water
4 apples (I used 2 Granny Smith and 2 Fuji), chopped into large chunks*
1 cup rough chopped pecans

* I peeled two of the apples, and left skins on the other two

Preheat your oven to 350F.

Prepare a 10-inch fluted tube pan by either buttering or using cooking spray, then dust the pan with white sugar.

Stir together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt.

In a stand mixer, beat the butter until creamy. Then go on and beat in the sugar. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Add the Brandy, baking soda and water. Stir in the flour and then the apples and pecans just until incorporated.

Get all that tasty batter into the prepared pan and bake for 1 hour, or until a cake tester/thin knife comes out clean when inserted.

Let the cake cool completely before devouring. Serve with cinnamon whipped cream.

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Burger King said Monday its first-quarter earnings rose 23 %, but shares of the world's second largest hamburger chain fell almost 4 % as three big shareholders disclosed plans to sell about a third of their holdings. Profits narrowly beat Wall Street expectations as movie-related marketing promotions and sales of chicken sandwiches and value breakfast items helped offset higher food costs.The fast-food company earned $49 million, for the three months ended Sept. 30, compared with $40 million, a year earlier. Burger King's growth strategy includes new product development, aggressive marketing, and a worldwide expansion that includes opening new restaurants and closing underperforming ones in the U.K. and elsewhere. - Fort Worth Star Telegram

Fresh apples float on water since 25% of their volume is air

This recipe was adapted from Food and Wine magazine (Credit where credit is due!) I may be clever, but I sure as heck can't think up cake recipes! (That work anyway! LOL)

North Americans eat an average of 18lbs of apples a year

Tagged with: Baking + Recipes

Labels: Dessert, Vegetarian