Things i've cooked lately

Lately I've been really getting into cooking and baking. It's probably due to now having someone to cook for, or at least having someone who's grateful and doesn't necessarily criticized my failed attempts [which would happen back in the UK - the less said about that the better].  Hellocotton and the growing selection of cook and baking books spare me on into cooking some of these little treats;

CURRY CHICKEN NAAN PIZZA

What could be better then combining two of our favourite foods - pizza and curry?! When I saw this recipe coming up on Hellocotton I knew I had to try it although I did adapt it somewhat just using curry paste rather then the tandoori they suggest [merely because that's what we had]. Using my home-made naan bread as the based, piling up the marinated chicken with some tomatoes thrown in, topped off with onions, plenty of cheese and cilantro leaves. Seriously it was so, so good.

SPAGHETTI WITH MEAT SAUCE

This was another goodie found within the Trisha Yearwood's Georgia Cooking from an Oklahoma Kitchen - it's basically home made spag bol with loads of onions, garlic, tomatoes and tomato paste. I love how when you're cooking like this, you know what's going in.

RED DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE

Now this recipe came from one of my estate sale finds - the General Food Kitchens All About Home Baking from 1960. It took me a while to decide on which cake to bake but the description of its "distinctive red-chocolate colour and an outstanding flavour" sold it for me and I topped it off with some chocolate frosting. This cake is delicious if I say so myself so I thought it was more then worthy of being shared!

• 1½ cups of sifted cake flour [I used all purpose flour]
• ¾ teaspoon of salt
• ¾ teaspoon of baking soda
• 1¼ cup of granulated sugar
• ½ cup of shortening (at room temp)
• 2/3 cup of water
• 2 squares of unsweetened chocolate melted
• 2 unbeaten eggs
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

In one bowl combine the flour, salt, soda and sugar stirring in the shortening. Add the water and mix just until all the flour is dampened. Using an electric mixer beat for two minutes on a low speed. Add in the melted chocolate, the unbeaten eggs and vanilla and beat for an additional minute. Using a lined baking tin [9x9x2] place in a moderately heated oven [350°F] and bake for 40 - 45 minutes.

For the easy chocolate frosting;

• 3 - 4 squares of unsweetened chocolate
• 1½ tablespoons of butter or margarine
• 2 cups of confectioners [icing] sugar
• 3 tablespoons of milk
• ½ teaspoon of vanilla

Over a pan of boiling water melt the chocolate and butter. In a separate bowl combine the sugar, milk and vanilla adding in the melted chocolate and butter mixture and mix well. Spread over cake.

What have you been baking/cooking lately?