Red Velvet Cake Of Urban Legend Fame Food

RED VELVET CAKE (OF URBAN LEGEND FAME)

Steps:

• Begin making the cake: cream shortening, sugar, eggs, flavors.
• Make a paste of cocoa and food coloring, add to first mixture.
• Alternately add flour and buttermilk.
• Mix soda and vinegar in small bowl; add to batter; blend.
• Bake in 3-9" or 10" pans for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees; let cool completely
• Make frosting: cook milk, flour, salt, until thick; stirring constantly; let cool.
• Cream shortening and sugar very well; add flavors - combine with the first mixture; beat well.
• Cover cake with frosting.
• Tell legend while serving.
• Reference: Brunvand, "The Vanishing Hitchhiker," NY: WW Norton, 1981, 154-160; more information coming in Brunvand,"The Brain Drain and other Timely Tales" Urbana: Univ of Ill Press, 1999.
• The Adams products, of course, may be substituted if you do not live in Texas or nearby where they are sold.
• Note from Julie: for St. Patrick's Day, substitute *green* food coloring and make Green Velvet Cake! Or during Halloween, mix red and yellow to make orange.

GARY MEHIGAN'S LAMB TAJINE

Steps:

• Grind the coriander, cumin and caraway seeds with a mortar and pestle. Set aside.
• Reserve half of the coriander leaves for serving, then chop the well washed coriander roots, stems and remaining leaves and place in a blender. Add the onion, garlic and 1 preserved lemon quarter, then blend until smooth.
• Place the tajine base on element and add 1 1/2 tablespoons of the olive oil into tajine, bring from low to high heat, then cook the lamb in batches, for 2-3 minutes, turning until golden brown on all sides. Reduce the heat to medium, then return the rest of the lamb to the tajine base and add the ground spices and sumac. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring to release the aroma from the spices.
• Preheat the oven to 155°C fan-forced (175°C conventional).
• Pour the spiced coriander paste over the lamb, then add the cinnamon, saffron and 2 teaspoons salt. Pour in the chicken stock and bring to the boil over medium heat, stirring to mix. Reduce the heat, put on the tajine lid and leave on the stove over very low heat with the lid on to cook for 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, place the almonds on a baking tray, drizzle with the remaining olive oil and bake for 10 minutes or until golden, then set aside.
• When the lamb is tender, remove the lid from the tajine and add the dates, then leave to stand.