Easy Cake Train
Do you have some cute kiddos in your life? Well today we have an adorable (and easy!) idea for you that will keep them entertained and screen free for an entire evening. Today we are making a cake train! It couldn't be more simple. 

First, stop off at Williams & Sonoma (or hit up their website) and grab yourself a train cake pan like this one. Then bake your cake according to our directions below. Decorate with candies and frosting and you have not only a delicious cake, but an amazingly fun one too!





Ingredients: (Williams Sonoma Recipe) 

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 3/4 cups sugar
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 3/4 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 16 Tbs. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 Tbs. vanilla extract


Directions:

Have all the ingredients at room temperature.

Position a rack in the lower third of an oven and preheat to 350°F. Grease and flour the wells of a railway cake pan and dust with Wondra® flour.

Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sour cream, eggs and vanilla until combined. Fit the mixer with the flat beater. Add the butter mixture to the flour mixture and beat on the lowest speed until the dry ingredients are moistened, 15 to 20 seconds. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Increase the speed to medium and beat for 30 seconds.

Divide the batter in half and set half of it aside. Spoon the remaining batter evenly among the prepared wells. Tap the pan firmly on the countertop to release any air bubbles. To ensure good details on the cakes, spread the batter so it reaches the top edges of each well and is slightly lower in the center of the well. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean, 18 to 22 minutes.

Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool for 10 minutes, then invert the cakes onto the rack and let cool for at least 1 hour before decorating or serving.

Wash and thoroughly dry the pan. Grease and flour the wells and repeat with the remaining batter. Makes 18 cakes.
Braised Cinnamon Pork with Prunes
Today we are featuring one of Peggy's recipes. And if you know anything from reading this blog, you know that if it's one of Peggy's recipes, you are going to need to make. You are going to love it. You are going to make it for everyone that comes to your house because its so delicious. 

 
This is Peggy's Pork with Prunes. The meat is fall apart tender, sweet and juice, with a memorable sauce with such deep flavor you are going to want to drink it. 


Ingredients: 


1 Loin Pork Roast, pulled and tied (2.5 lbs)
Salt and Pepper
2 Tbs Vegetable Oil
1 Tbs Butter
2 Medium Onions finely chopped
1 Cinnamon stick 2 inches long
1.5 cups chicken stock (about 1 can)
1 cup dried pitted prunes
2 Tbs mild honey
2 Tbs fresh lemon juice

Directions: 

Heat butter in a heavy le creuset type dish
Cover your loin with oil
Season all sides with salt and pepper
Brown on all sides in pan until crust forms
Remove from pan
Add onions to pan and sauté (season onions with salt and pepper as well)
Return pork back to pan
Add water and cinnamon. 
Bring to a boil, then reduce to low and simmer for 90 minutes (turning meat from time to time)
Add prunes to liquid, cover, and continue to simmer for 30 minutes
Stir honey into liquid, basting pork as you go for about 5 minutes
Transfer meat to plate, remove prunes to a bowl
Cook sauce until thickened
Add lemon juice, add prunes back to sauce and season to taste
Arrange pork slices and spoon sauce over pork


This is seriously such an amazing meal. The flavors are just unique and incredible. 
Enjoy!
Memorial Day
Memorial Day hits a little closer to home these past few years. Our dear Rozlyn lost her wonderful brother in law in the war back in 2010. Make sure you use today not just as an extra day for leisure, but to remember the true meaning of this day. Many have laid down their lives so we can enjoy the freedom and peace that we have today. 



I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country. 
Nathan Hale

These fallen heroes represent the character of a nation who has a long history of patriotism and honor - and a nation who has fought many battles to keep our country free from threats of terror. 
Michael N. Castle

As America celebrates Memorial Day, we pay tribute to those who have given their lives in our nation's wars. 
John M. McHugh

What I can do for my country, I am willing to do. 
Christopher Gadsden

There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured with what is right in America. 
William J. Clinton