Great, healthful, novel side dish. Used chopped chard stems as addition to filling for stuffed bell peppers.

October 12, 2008

Moist, delicious & pretty. Successfully substituted sour milk for buttermilk. No need to use mixer for cake batter.  Consider baking a couple cupcakes alongside (my cake baked over a little, but maybe because my pan was a little warped). Left cake in freezer for a full day, til just before ready to frost.  Frosting was at room temp, no need to refrigerate to "set" between layers nor before sprinkling with Heath.  Omitted almonds, but sprinkled Heath atop the middle layer of frosting and on top of cake, then refrigerated uncovered to allow frosting to set a bit before covering with plastic wrap.  Remove from fridge about an hour before serving.  Was just as good, if not better, the following day.  I sifted the confectioners' sugar before adding to the frosting.  I use microwave to melt chocolate (50% power, 90 sec, stir, then 30 sec intervals [50%pwr] stirring between).  This cake batter would make great cupcakes also.

May 18, 2008

I rubbed the spice mixture under the skin also. Fine to make ahead, except the skin won't remain crispy. Five-spice is good, or experiment Ming's cooking method substituting other spices. Can fit 2 chicken in large roaster, but will have to increase cooking time.  Best to check with thermometer where meat is thickest--between thigh & breast.  Nice to have a remote cooking thermometer. Doesn't mention if bird is trussed...I've made it trussed and untrussed and it doesn't matter (I think get more area of crispy skin untrussed).

May 18, 2008

Awesome! The crust is nice and crunchy (the first day--hasn't lasted long enough either time I've made it to try the second day) and the inside is chewy-tender.  On step 2, I transer the dough directly from mixer to a sprayed and floured bowl, it is too sticky to try to form it into a ball. Cover with plastic sprayed with oil. In step 3, a round cake pan worked fine.  Could use dark raisins or dried cranberries, dried cherries, currants...

May 18, 2008

Great!  Substituted a few tablespoons fresh mint for the basil (parsley or dill would also work well).  Steam or poach boneless skinless chicken breasts on the stovetop.  Fennel adds a nice crunchy texture.  Could try celery if don't have fennel. Would be great alongside salmon if leave out the chicken.

May 18, 2008