STICKY CHOCOLATE CAKE IN YOUR COFFEE MUG IN LESS THAN 3 MINUTES
When my friend, Betsy, and I walked into JFK’s presidential library recently ( https://www.lightsonbrightnobrakes.com/alice-waters-pantry-travel-tales/ ) my first question to her was, “ Where were you the moment you heard President Kennedy was assassinated?”
Betsy looked at me oddly. After a long pause, she said, “Mary I wasn’t even two years old yet. I don’t remember it.”
Whoops!
TOMATO, BASIL & MOZZARELLA TART
I did the math. She was born in 1961. I was born in 1944. Holy Moly, I thought, she’s right! My first life-altering moment wasn’t even on her radar screen. “Mine was the Challenger explosion [1986 ],” she later added.
Our 17-year age difference became an additional thought-provoking layer during our week-long libraries journey. Many things that I remembered, she’d only learned in school. There were other situations we both recollected but recalled through our different generational lenses.
CAULIFLOWER & CHICKPEA CURRY
Every generation has its shared moments, life-altering events when we still remember where we were when something happened. This week I asked both friends/family to recall their first public experience that helped shape the adult they’ve become.
TO CARAMELIZE AND SOFTEN THE TOMATOES, THEY BAKE ALONE FOR 15 MINUTES AT 375 DEGREES BEFORE BEING JOINED BY CHEESE.
For 24-year-old Kacey Mahler, The Gant’s Customer Service Manager, it was 9/11. That was the consensus among the front office staff. But Bellman Chris Malone, 28, said, “Mrs. Hirsch, you may not like this but for me it was watching OJ Simpson being chased in his white Bronco by the police.” Malone, who was 7 at the time, explained, “That’s when I first realized heroes could be criminals.”
IMAGE BY ideasevolved.com
The responses were as varied as generational:
Hurricane Andrew. (a home lost);
Princess Diana’s Death;
Governor Orval Faubus closing all high schools in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1958;
Apollo Eleven’s Moon Landing;
Team USA upsetting the Soviet Union, 4-3, The Miracle on Ice, at the Winter Olympics in February 1980;
DUST WITH POWDERED SUGAR, IF YOU WISH.
For my daughter, Melissa, it was about Jimmy Carter and her initial disillusionment with politics. “I remember listening to his energy crisis address when he was president,” she says. “It flipped everyone out – the idea to conserve energy – but I remember as a kid thinking it was a good idea. The result was President Carter got crushed in the re-election.”
I DOUBLED DOWN ON MOZZARELLA BUT IT’S YOUR CHOICE.
My Norwegian son-in-law’s first life-altering moment? ( “Yup, Mom,” Melissa e-mailed, “Swear to God, this is Stephen’s answer.”)
“The 1975 non-call of offensive pass interference against Dallas Cowboys/Minnesota Vikings game that allowed the Cowboys to win and go on to the Superbowl.”
Realizing this man is the love of my daughter’s life and father of my two granddaughters, I have no comment except, Go Vikings!
While you’re pondering how you would answer this question, here’s what I cooked up this week. My showstopper is undoubtedly Yvette Van Boven’s Sticky Chocolate Cake in Your Coffee Mug in 3 Minutes. There aren’t words to describe its fudgy appeal. Skeptical? Try it. A perfect dessert for one or two sweet tooths.
I ALSO POURED DULCE de LECHE, A CREAMY, SMOOTH, MILK-CARAMEL SPREAD OVER THE CAKE.
I made two recipes for this month’s Cottage Cooking Club from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage Veg cookbook. The first, Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella Tart is a keeper, something I’ll stick in my back pocket to bring out to impress guests. You may use a traditional round tart pan, an oblong pan which makes finger-friendly portions for appetizers or a regular baking sheet. Try other flavorful combinations such as Tomato, Thyme and Goat Cheese; Tomato, Rosemary and Pecorino or Tomato, Blue Cheese and Chives. Pretty and Tasty.
MY PUFF PASTRY RULE HAS BECOME THAT IF I CAN’T FIND DUFOURS, I DON”T MAKE A RECIPE WITH PUFF PASTRY. IT IS THE BEST, IN MY OPINION, AND, BETTER YET, ALWAYS WORKS.
Honestly, I am seldom disappointed with Hugh’s recipes but Cauliflower and Chickpea Curry didn’t work for me. Cauliflower, yum. And, I love curry. Still, this is a healthy recipe that, with its ingredients, should be packed with flavor. Although I’ve posted pictures of my effort, I need to return to the kitchen and try again. Back to you in a few weeks. Or, not.
PHOTO BY katrin.coaching-in-bulgaria.com
STICKY CHOCOLATE CAKE IN YOUR COFFEE MUG IN 3 MINUTES
Adapted from Yvette Van Boven, Home Made Winter cookbook
Yield: 1 mug-sized cake
INGREDIENTS:
3 TBSP all-purpose flour
4 TBSP sugar
1 1/2 TBSP unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg, whipped
3 TBSP milk
3 TBSP sunflower or canola oil
3 TBSP chocolate chips or grated chocolate
If you wish, sprinkle with confectionary sugar or add any syrup, liquor, ice cream or whipped cream.
DIRECTIONS:
1. Mix the dry ingredients in the coffee mug. Add the egg and whisk together with a fork. Add the milk and oil and whisk some more.
2. Stir in the chocolate chips.
3. Place the mug in the microwave and “bake” the batter for 3 minutes on high. The cake will rise above the rim of the mug. Use a saucer under the mug as it “bakes” to catch any drips. Let it cool for a bit.
4. Add any desired topping.
Thanks to Betty Pollack-Benjamin for introducing me to Yvette Van Boven.
TOMATO, BASIL and MOZZARELLA TART
By Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall by River Cottage Veg
Serves 4 to 6
INGREDIENTS:
Canola or Sunflower Oil
13 ounces all-butter ready-made puff pastry
1 large egg, beaten, for brushing
12 ounces tomatoes
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
Extra-virgin olive
3 1/2 ounces Mozzarella cheese
2 TBSP shredded basil, added after the tart is baked
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat the oven to 375. Lightly oil a baking sheet or tart pan.
2. Roll out the pasty fairly thinly and trim to a rectangle measuring your pan. Put it on the baking sheet or tart pan. Cut a 1/2-inch strip from each edge. Brush these strips with a little beaten egg. Stick them onto the edges of the rectangle to form a slightly raised border. Brush the edges with a little more egg. Even if you are using a lipped tart pan, reinforce your edges.
3. Thinly slice the tomatoes crosswise into 1/8-inch slices. Discard the stalky top and skinny bottom slices. Scatter the garlic over the pastry. Then, arrange the tomato slices on top, overlapping them only slightly. Season with salt and pepper and trickle with a little olive oil.
4. Bake for about 15 minutes, until the tomatoes are tender and lightly browned.
5. Take the tart out of the oven, scatter over the cheese. Add another twist of pepper and a trickle of oil. Return to the oven. Bake for another 10 minutes or so, until the cheese is melty and bubbly and the pastry golden brown.
6. You can serve the tart hot. Whittingstall recommends serving it half an hour or so after it comes out of the oven, with a green salad.
Cottage Cooking Club is a virtual group cooking its way through Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage Veg cookbook. It is skillfully managed and inspired by our leader Andrea from The Kitchen Lioness.
First of all, I have that cookbook and I do not remember that mug cake. It looks dangerous. I must try.
I remember when Reagan was shot, but I didn’t get what was happening (I was 7 or 8). My first paradigm altering event was the Challenger explosion (age 12 or 13). I remember my Junior high science teacher rolling a TV into the lunch room and letting us watch the news coverage most of the school day (which was a pretty big deal back then). After that, it had to be the Berlin Wall coming down, the end of the Cold War and the beginning of the first Gulf War. I spent a very large part of my childhood terrorized by the thought of Communists coming in and taking me away (one of the side effects of going to a religious school for 13 years).
My much older 🙂 brother still talks about the first moon walk…
Yep, I have most of your moments on my list. When Betsy and I were at JFK’s Lib, we stood with a 17-year-old guy to look at the Berlin Wall. I asked him if he realized how significant the event was. He didn’t, he said, but he was trying. (The kid was looking at a piece of concrete with graffit on it !!!) Betsy explained why it was such an internationally important event. I added some thoughts. It was an enlightening moment for us all. And, Cher, you didn’t see the mug cake on page 204? You’re losing your touch.
All human history attests
That happiness for man—the hungry sinner—
Since Eve ate apples, much depends on dinner.
Byron.
Per usual, thoughtful blog Mary. It started me to thinking how life defining moments are rare, but I can definitely remember from early childhood what foods I ate and loved or hated and the dynamics of the family dinner table over 60 years ago.
BTW, that pudding looks good enough to proof out. But what’s up with optional raisins. Was that a misprint?
Hugs, Rocks
Thanks, Donna, for the heads-up about the raisins. Van Boven suggested them as an option which didn’t interest me so I eliminated in the recipe ingredients. I didn’t notice they were mentioned in the directions also. Will correct. Love your Byron poem.
Those defining moments… I’m very excited to make a sticky chocolate mug cake (or two, Howard will want his own) this weekend. Did you pour hot fudge on top or is that the sticky part of the cake. Either way, it looks delicious! So does the tomato tart. I made that one this month too. You’ve made me very hungry, and I just had lunch.
Betsy, The first picture is the sticky part of the cake. That’s what it looks like after 3 minutes. I eventually sprinkled powdered sugar on it. Then, later, after eating some, I poured the Dulce de Leche over it. It doesn’t need a thing but I just wanted to try it. No forbidden cooked fruit in it either, for Howard’s sake.
Dear Mary, Yvette´s cookbooks are amazing – I love looking at the pictures in them as much as I love to pore over the recipes – have not made the incredibly delicious looking Mug cake before . they are all the rage in Europe, portion control and all…and the Tomato tart is one of my favorite recipes from Hugh´s book and I have made it so many times and I still love it.
As far as those defining moments or life-changing moments are concerned, one thing comes to mind immediately, namely the completely different perspective we Europeans have, we look at life from a different angle it seems – of course when the Berlin wall came down, life changed forever for all of us…
Wishing you a wonderful weekend, dear friend – we are visting a goat cheese maker tomorrow and I will post a lovely recipe and pictures on the weekend (hope the weather will be nice):
Feel yourself hugged!
Andrea & Co.
Mary, there were many important moments in my life and I believe you mentioned every one of them. However the defining moment for me was watching the morning news on NBC and staring in horror as both the 1st and 2nd planes hit the Trade Center. I knew in my heart of hearts and gut at that instant that the 1st one was not an accident but a terrorist attack and that moment I believe changed all our lives forever and not for the better.
I think I’ll go make a mug cake with Kalua. Can I do that?
LOL – great story. I think the death of Princess Diana was a life changing moment for me. It couldn’t be real, surely! This mug cake looks fantastic – a delicious treat to celebrate the end of a ling day.
Hi Mary! My defining moments were the Challenger, Princess Diana’s death and 9/11. I still know where I was for all three. That single serving chocolate cake in 3 minutes looks dangerous. I am glad that you and Betsy had a good time. Happy belated birthday.
I’m keeping that sticky chocolate cake in my back pocket for when there’s no dessert in sight! LOVE the thought provoking question —think mine was when Bobby Kennedy was assassinated—I was a tot but it was the first time I remember my mom crying!
My hubby’s born in 1941 and I, 1957. Anything I asked him, he will say, don’t know or can’t remember… he was schooled in the Chinese education system, while I – the English medium – hence the communication barrier, of sort.
I remember man’s first step on the moon – on our black and white tv. And later, school excursions to the national museum to view the aircraft etc doing their round across the globe. More recently, 9/11…
The one thing I share with someone close to me was…. my DD#2 was born when Princess D wedded her prince; and DD#2 was at my home (skipped school due to tummy ache) came out of the guest room where she had been listening to stuff on her portable radio – and informed us that Princess D had died. My DD#2 is named Diyana after Princess D….
No microwave at home but might give that cake-in-the-mug a go at the office, one day. Love the oblong pan you used for the tomato tart – looks FAB! Might just steal that idea! I did enjoyed the cauliflower with chickpea curry (had it for two days in a row!) though.
Another wonderful post by you. Can I say it again…… love love your writing! Please make sure that the french doors at your balcony are locked at all times!
Hi Mary, that chocolate cake in a mug could be the dealth of me, afraid to even look at the recipe, it looks so good. Love the tart and the shape of the pan you used.
As for what first thing do I remember that defined me….well the first walk on the moon, I was 12. I realized there was much more out there than I ever imagined.
Hi Mary, what a fascinating topic for the month. Streaming through reading, I began to think of so many defining moments in the history of my life, each significant in their own way. The assassination of JFK, but then too, his brother, Bobby, and then, Martin Luther King. I remember a fear about this culture on what seemed like some common occurrence when you are a kid. The kidnapping of Americans in Iran, and the same of the Israeli Olympians, a hijacked cruise ship that I cannot recall at all- except that they toppled an older man in a wheel chair into the water- the Challenger-Russian soldiers left to die in a submarine- all traumatic. But of all these things, besides the horror of 9/11- this was a day that truly has changed life forever, in America, and our the world, it has inhibited our freedoms, the way we travel. This has to be my saddest day.
I did not prepare the cauliflower curry because I have a similar dish that is perfect, and much spicier, including with the addition of chick peas, and chicken, sometimes even green peas. The tart however, looks lovely. I’ve not prepared that either but it looks delicious and perhaps I shall give it a go at some juncture.
The chocolate cup- that is about as decadent as it gets! My grandson will love it!
Hope all is well, talk to you soon! Hugs, Peggy
Your dishes look just wonderful Mary. The rectangular pan makes that tart look particularly gorgeous and though you weren’t keen on it, the cauliflower curry does look delicious. But as with everyone else, it’s that chocolate cake that is most enticing!
I read this when you first posted it and meant to come back and comment sooner. Your post sparked a conversation with my mother and a neighbour who is about eight years older than me. We all had different milestones.
My mother remembers very well when Kennedy was shot. Her mother was in her final illness at the time and my Mom was a young nurse. She used to spend every evening with her, after work. One day, she stopped by and found her mother crying and was told that Kennedy had been shot. Later on, they were watching television and saw Jack Ruby shoot Lee Harvey Oswald in real time. It was profoundly shocking to witness, she said.
My neighbour said her first moment was the moon landing. I have been told by my parents that I saw it (I was two), along with my infant sister, who my Dad held up in front of the television so she didn’t miss it.
For me, I think my first real moment like that was when Regan was elected. I remember having a distinct feeling of dread, along with the feeling that everything was going to change.
(I love how you prepared the tomato tart – the pan you chose was perfect.)
A tart with puff pastry is always a bonus. It looks sensational Mary! And I need to make my first mug cake, I even have a whole book about them… (one of those 0.99 books from amazon, lol)
Defining moments, that’s a great conversation starter!
The Falklands War (1982, I was 13)) was by far the most defining for me and most people around me. After that it was having elections again in Argentina (1983) after years of military dictatorship.
I remember clearly when Reagan was shot. And Princess Di’s wedding was mind opening, something unlike anything I had seen before.
It’s been too long since I caught up with one your posts and I’m so happy that I read back to this one. What a facinating topic. I was born in 75 and mine is 9/11, without question. I was old enough to be aware of some of the other big ones, but I didn’t feel the significance of them at the time. And, unsurprisingly, my German husband’s is the fall of the Berlin wall. He remembers just being in a state of shock and disbelief, because nobody was expecting it.
I’m so happy to see that you are doing well and keeping busy. Your trip out east sounded wonderful. Love the photos of you and the other Doristas. Hope you are staying warm in Aspen.
What a post, Mary! I loved seeing your photos from the trip on FB as well! I also really enjoyed thinking about those defining generational moments and how they mean different things depending on how old you were. For example, I was 9 for the Challenger disaster. You know what I remember? I remember the call the year before in Scholastic magazine to nominate your teacher to go into space. I remember wanting to nominate my 3rd grade teacher (though I never got around to it, thank goodness). Watching the shuttle on tv in class and remembering all of that other stuff, was horrifying in its own way. 9/11, phew! We had just moved from DC not 2 months before and the fuselage from the Pentagon plane landed on top of our old apartment building…dark days indeed. It’s weird when I realize that many of my freshman students this year, born in…1997?, were very small when it happened and likely don’t really remember much about that day. Ah, well, it’s what forms us all, I guess. Finally, on the food front, I’ve never tried that brand of puff pastry and I shall have to since your recommendation carries much weight!!