Going Overboard

So does taking over 90 pictures at a Spring flower show qualify as going overboard? Perhaps, but I just could not help myself :) I am starved for color this time of the year. The stunning displays of flowers with a Brazilian tropical theme sent me over the top. It all began with this toucan made of flowers

then this floral display

and on to your spring blooms...

some others will be posted on the right side bar-enjoy
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A Very Small Guinness Dilemma
I had 1-14 oz  can left ,1 husband who wanted it, 2 cake recipes and 1 sauce recipe I wanted to try. So I picked a cake recipe that called for 1-1/4 cups of Guinness still leaving a wee bit to keep my husband happy.
This cake is dense and very moist. It got really high marks from us on flavor. So put it on your list.   Only adaptions were using equal parts of butter and margarine rather than using all butter and Guinness Draught which is less bitter.  
recipe from The Best of Fine Cooking Chocolate Winter 2006 

Chocolate Stout Cake

Ingredients:

• 1-1/4 cups Draught Guinness (don't include foam when measuring)
• 1/3 cup dark molasses (not blackstrap)
• 1-2/3 cup flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder (not Dutch -processed)
• 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1-1/4cup softened butter (I used equal parts margarine and butter) 
• 1-1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3 large eggs at room temperature 
• 6 oz. semi-sweet squares chopped in a food processor

Directions:

• Grease a bundt pan
• In a small saucepan bring stout and molasses to a simmer
• Remove from heat and set aside
• Sift flour,cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt 
• In another bowl cream butter/margarine and beat in brown sugar
• Beat till light and fluffy about 3 minutes 
• Beat in eggs one at a time
• To the egg mixture on low speed alternate adding flour mixture and stout mixture 
• Beat in chopped chocolate
• Bake @ 350  45-50 but check at 45 minutes
• Cool in pan no more than 15 minutes and then invert 
• When cake is cooled frost with your favorite chocolate frosting or the chocolate glaze recipe below

Chocolate Glaze

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chopped
• 2 TB. confectioners sugar

Directions:

• Bring the cream to a boil 
• Remove from heat and add chocolate and confectioners sugar
• Whisk till smooth could add 2 TB. Kahlua and a little cream if needed
• Let sit 5 minutes before pouring on the cake

the other recipe I really wanted to try but saving for another time when I barbecue next 

Sticky Stout Barbecue Sauce

Southern Living October 2011

Ingredients:

• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 1 TB. vegetable oil
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 (11.2 oz) stout beer
• 1 cup spicy barbecue sauce
• 1/4 cup fig preserves
• 2 TB. apple cider vinegar

Directions:

• Saute onion in oil heat 4-5 minutes and add minced garlic and saute 1 minute longer
• Gradually stir in beer and cook 8 minutes or until mixture is reduced by half
• Stir in barbecue sauce and preserves and vinegar
• Cook 4 minutes till heated through
• Make three days ahead cover and chill-reheat when ready to add to pork or chicken

Cook's note:

they tested with Guinness and Sweet Baby Ray's Sweet'n Spicy Barbecue Sauce