Chocolate Zucchini Cake with Buttercream Frosting

A healthier alternative, featuring devil's food cake, ZUCCHINI (see, it's in there!), topped with homemade buttercream frosting and whipping cream. Don't judge me. I have zucchini coming out of every orifice of my refrigerator. So, as you can tell, this dessert is not necessarily meant to be healthy, but moreso to aid in my zucchini escape, because although lovely, one can only indulge in zuccs sauteed in olive oil, onions and garlic for so long. Did I mention chocolate?!













The Cake: Plain old box cake mix (no frills here). Devil's food, dark chocolate, regular chocolate, etc. Make cake according to package instructions. ADD 1-2 cups of finely grated zucchini. The only apparent rule in adding zucchini for moisture is making sure that you're adding half of the amount of your dry ingredients. The cake mix I used was 3 cups. The cake was delicious, super moist and the veggie was an afterthought.

The Frosting: a super simple recipe, courtesy of: Savory Sweet Life

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks or 1/2 pound), softened (but not melted!)

1/2 cups confectioners (powdered) sugar

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon table salt

2 teaspoons vanilla extract or 1 teaspoon almond extract

4 tablespoons milk or heavy cream

1. Cream butter for a few minutes in a mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed. Turn off the mixer. Sift 3 cups powdered sugar and cocoa into the mixing bowl. Turn your mixer on the lowest speed (so the dry ingredients do not blow everywhere) until the sugar and cocoa are absorbed by the butter. Increase mixer speed to medium and add vanilla extract, salt, and milk/cream and beat for 3 minutes. If your frosting needs a more stiff consistency, add a little more sugar. If your frosting needs to be thinned out, add additional milk 1 tablespoon at a time.

Additional Toppings: As I'm not a huge frosting person, I found the buttercream to be a little too sweet. I whipped up some heavy cream and mixed in a bit of powdered sugar to lighten it up a bit. Also, ice cream!

No excuses now, EAT THOSE VEGGIES!

Tribute to Taoyateduta and the Occasional Zucchini.

On July 3rd, 2012 we remembered Taoyateduta (Little Crow), chief of the Mdewakanton Dakota Sioux: a leader, a teacher, a legend. (1810 - July 3, 1863). We traveled about six miles north of Hutchinson, MN to offer our very first zucchini as a tribute. As day turned to night, we noticed that the moon was painted red.

What Makes a Home?

Jon and I have been living in our quaint, Bryn Mawr treehaus for a little over a month now and we are pretty in love with everything about it (simply put). For starters, our 'new' apartment boasts a deck, hardwood floors and built-ins, lots of windows for natural light, exposed radiators and plenty of charm. Realtor Kelsey speaking, but you get the jist. There is an enormous park across the street with access to trails, bike paths, outdoor hockey rink (YEAH!), etc., that is always buzzing with softball-ers, basketball-ers , bikers and the like.

A few blocks down one will find rustic, but modern, shops that house organic, local produce, fresh coffee and vintage antiques. Oh, and don't forget the free library or the free movies in the basement of Cuppa Java on Tuesday nights! During our walk, we were greeted by the market owner, who informed us he'd been managing the place for decades now. It's truly a home away from home for us. There are neighborhood meetings, a neighborhood publication, Bryn Mawr Bugle, and plenty of ways to get involved to maintain that small town feel in the big city.
Did I mention the park?! Hello, nature.

Hello, home sweet home (for at least a little while).

Diggin' It.

The recipe for a lovely, yet productive weekend consists of a dash of sunshine, a bit of mom time and a sprinkle, okay (I lied) a TON of gardening. Resulting in a sunburn, good times (and full bellies) and over 300 feet of planted goodness! I was so excited to finally get my hands dirty and that I did. In terms of The Peace Project, this was our very first weekend of sun and warmth, so of course we took full advantage.

Till, rake, dig, hoe, furrow, bend, plant, cover, repeat. I was sad to leave Jon back at the site to keep working on this fabulous Monday, but a bit relieved to get a little 'break' back at the office. Whew! Don't let anyone ever tell you gardening is easy, especially on a larger scale, with two workers and a tiller made in the early 90s.

Potatoes, bush beans, herbs (basil, parsley, cilantro, sage, dill) radishes, onions (red and white), spinach, leaf lettuce, sugar snap peas, cucumbers, beets, squash (zucchini, pumpkins, butternut, acorn), sweet corn, ornamental corn and pole beans (calypso and cherokee trail of tears varieties). Tomatoes (courtesy of Litchfield OVOC, One Vegetable, One Community) and peppers to come.

Note: this blog post was meant for last week, sorry guys. An update alas, Jon and I will be doing even more planting as our demonstration garden is evolving into more of a highway market than a community garden, which is super exciting. The ball is in our court again. A lot of public interest, just not enough commitment and the with mother nature's schedule, someone has to do some planting. Chameleon abilities. Peace.

Earth Day 2012

"We must protect the forests for our children, grandchildren and children yet to be born. We must protect the forests for those who can't speak for themselves such as the birds, animals, fish and trees." Qwatsinas

As a whole, the world celebrated Earth Day 2012, this past Monday. One special day, named to honor and recognize the miraculous planet that we live on. My hope is that most of us try to recognize, honor and respect the earth every day. As for me, my connection with nature and our mother earth is only becoming stronger. I have been a city dweller for the past 5 1/2 years, but mind, body and soul have pretty much stayed in the rural countryside, where I was born, raised and lived for all 18 years of prior existence. I'm longing for it and I can no longer ignore it. 

I miss the woods, trees, the fields, the birds, the green, the stars in the night sky, dirt, the crunchy leaves, butterflies and the sun. I miss it all and more. For me, it's time to transition back to the basics, back to my roots, but in my own way.

Earth Day 2012 was extra special, because after weeks of devoted composition, The Peace Project's first 'sign' of life, a true labor of love, is standing proudly; no turning back now!

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

A healthi(er), multi-season treat and one of my favorites.

The Crust:
1 3/4 c. Graham Cracker Crumbs
3 tbsp. Light Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
1/2 c. Melted Butter

The Filling:
3 (8 oz) Packages of Cream Cheese (at room temperature)
1 (15 oz) Can Pumpkin Puree
3 Eggs
1 Egg Yolk
1/4 c. Sour Cream
1 1/2 c. Sugar
1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
1/8 tsp. Nutmeg
1/8 tsp. Ground Cloves
1 tbsp. Flour
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

1] Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2] For Crust: In medium bowl, combine crumbs, sugar and cinnamon. Add melted butter to mix. Transfer to 9 x 13 pan, spread and pack evenly. Set aside.
3] For Filling: Beat cream cheese on low-medium, until smooth. Add pumpkin puree, eggs, extra egg yolk, sour cream, sugar, flour, vanilla and spices. Beat together until well combined.
4] Pour/spread mixture evenly onto crust.
5] Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
6] Allow 15 minutes after baking for bars to cool/settle.
7] Top with freshly whipped cream, a bit of nutmeg, caramel or your favorite, chopped nuts (optional).
8] Store in refrigerator.

Photo.

Feng shui

...in the apartment has just imploded.

After receiving one very hefty quote of $500 for a professionally made sign, we decided, we've got this. A little ambitious, but it wasn't in the budget. Some particle board (free) and $30 worth of paint later and we're about 75% done with the beaut. I'm supposed to be helping my 'partner' with the second coat as we speak but, shhhhh, priorities. 'COMING!'

The plan is to have it UP, implanted in the ground this weekend; rain or shine. Hoping for rain, needing the rain, but when you're cooped up all week, it's nice to have that shine. Win some, lose some.

This is exciting, and a bit of a milestone in TPP's timeline, since it will be Litchfield's very first, physical entity or 'sign' (so to speak) of the project.

Off to paint. Peace.