Praying for the people in Japan…

 

People gather outside Sendai station after a powerful earthquake hit northern Japan on Friday March 11, 2011. The ferocious tsunami spawned by one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded slammed Japan's eastern coast Friday, killing scores of people as it swept away boats, cars and homes while widespread fires burned out of control. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)

…and all along the Pacific Rim. How horrible and tragic; I hope my mom and relatives are safe in the Philippines and I also hope my former roommate and great friend, Yuhei Miyauchi is okay. He was going to school in Tokyo. Please keep them in your thoughts.

– Anthony

Crispy Blackberry Delight.

When I was a kid living in Maine…well, it started in Maine and spread to Florida and finally to the state of Washington. Point is, my mom would make this awesome treat called “Quick Cherry Dessert” courtesy of Great American Recipes. W00t.

Life before the oven.

Quick Cherry Dessert was very simple and easy to make, although, as a child I had no freakin’ idea. I had this wonderful fantasy sequence in my mind (I also had a fairly outrageous imagination back then. If my parents weren’t as understanding and patient, I’m quite sure they would have had me see a psychiatrist.) of my mom opening the window and allowing these monstrosities of made-up animals bring her the necessary ingredients at her kitchen window like some kind of Pan’s Labyrinth-like check-out counter minus the pixie-eating dining hall scene.

Okay. I’ll stop there. I think you get it.

Anyways, I’ve taken that recipe, the Quick Cherry Dessert, and turned it into my own with a few modifications.

Obviously, instead of cherries I substituted blackberries. Using strawberries isn’t so bad either. You can also sprinkle the top with powdered sugar instead of brown sugar and Honey Bunches of Oats instead of cornflakes works just as well. Pretty much, this recipe is so easy to make, you can afford to be as creative as you want. Have fun!

Ingredients

2 sticks of butter

2 tablespoons of Baker’s Vanilla Flavor or 1 teaspoon of almond extract

4 eggs

2 cups of all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons of baking soda

1 can of blackberries (pie filling) or fresh strawberries or canned cherries

Brown sugar (you know you taste so good!) or powdered sugar

2 cups of cornflakes or whatever 😀

Whipped cream

Preparation

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs and beat until the mixture is fluffy and light.

2. Add the vanilla flavor and stir in the flour and baking powder. Mix until smooth.

3. Butter a 13-by-9-inch cake pan. Turn the mixture into the pan.

4. Spoon the pie filling into the cake, in 16 spots, spacing 4 spoonfuls evenly in each direction. Or pour the pie filling in an S-shaped form over the cake or letter that you see fit.

5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 to 50 minutes or until golden and cake tests done. Filling will sink into the cake while baking.

6. Cut into 16 pieces…or less.

7. You can place the bottom side up on the serving plate. Dust with brown sugar if used and spoon whipped cream if desired.

Yay, for you!

Three recipes & Super Bowl recommendations from Epicurious.

It’s a major bummer that I’m unable to share pictures of my latest (and my mom’s) concoctions in the kitchen, those being a three-cheese lasagna, a splendid pot of pork sinigang, and beef, squash and zucchini stew.

However, if you click on the links above, you can read the recipes on those pages and follow the similar steps and ingredients that my mom and I did for providing each meal. Enjoy!

Chefs' Super Bowl Recipes by Epicurious writer Lauren Salkeld.

P.S. For this upcoming Super Bowl, I’ve found some awesome tips and recipes on Epicurious that you may find quite interesting and tantalizing towards your taste buds. You don’t have to be a crazed fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Green Bay Packers to truly satisfy your hunger on Sunday, February 6th. So when the time comes and everybody’s watching that pigskin getting tossed around in Texas, eat up!