Bakin' With The Cake Ladies: The Fresh Coconut Cake

A couple of months ago, I picked up The Cake Ladies by Jodi Rhoden. I have to say this is one of my favorite cake books because all of the recipes look delicious. Being new to the South, I thought I'd bake my way through the book and post pictures and reviews of the cakes as I make them each week.

 Since coconuts seem to allude the masses, I mean aside from granola and shrimp dishes, a lot of people just pass it by in the store labeling it "too much trouble." Jodi Rhoden's book takes this brown bomb and show you how to peel the inner goodness out with ease and turn it into a spectacular treat....The Fresh Coconut Cake.  This cake is delicious without the frosting, which I recommend not making unless you have a double boiler (I had to improvise). The Fresh Coconut Cake is a sweet treat that needs to be eaten within a day, so taking it to a banquet or office party will surely be worth the time spent....and don't be surprised if someone thinks you are a goddess with an oven.

Getting Back On Track...

A lot has happened in the last month or so that I haven't posted, we completed our cross country move where it is safe to say things are a whole lot different around here. I'm sad to report that I did miss the majority of canning season, so I guess better luck next year for me :( I'm sure there are serious canners who would have just put up a bunch of jars and packed them for the move, but being as many of my dishes didnt make it, I wasnt going to chance breaking my jars too. I did, however, get to put up a few jars of fruit cocktail, pineapple, pears, peach butter, spicy carrots, drunken cherries, and chocolate cherry dessert sauce. Needless to say, i've been keeping busy.

The move was long, 4 days of what seemed like endless traveling with dogs, cats, and two birds that all seemed to be getting more miserable as the miles passed behind us. I was excited to pass through Amarillo, TX and visit the AQHA Museum which far surpassed my expectations...as many of my closest friends are aware I am not a fan of the Quarter Horse. I know, to many I have just committed the ultimate sin...my mom had Quarter Horses and they just arent for me. Im a Draft Horse girl, my horses were always ready to work or do whatever I asked of them and the Quarter Horses **Our Quarter Horses** were lazy and freaked out when ever introducing something new. I guess they are creatures of habit....whatever. Getting back to the museum, it honestly gave me an appreciation I never had for Quarter Horses as I walked the hallways filled with amazing animals and true assets to the breed.

Now that I am here, getting used to the people who view me as a clear outsider, one thing I am really excited about is the amount of farmer's markets, or "fresh markets" as they are called here. There are a lot of people offering Organic goods, but I still cant wait until my garden is planted and producing because my canning habit is getting expensive. I am also anxiously awaiting the arrival of the goats and chickens I will be adding next spring.

On a more amusing note, I finally discovered grits. Being born and raised in Southern California, I have heard of grits but I have never tried them, my first visit to the local Waffle House with a friend cured that. They were shocked that I have never tried them before, but when I explained where I was from they quickly grabbed me a sample bowl and I was able to try them with sugar and plain. Apparently, "I'm from California" can be a good excuse for everything.....including my (on occasion) bad behavior :)

I hope no one else missed the prime canning season on account of a long move.