Actually, no attack but just a foodie heaven post...firstly, carrots, then tomatoes. The recipe is from Phyllis that won the KSH in the Geek birthday post. Will someone that likes carrots, try it and let me know if it's delicious? I like all of it, except the part about the carrots.
The Carrot Cake that won a Prize
(You'll never taste the secret ingredient, but it gives it a nice depth of flavor that enrichens the taste)
1c raisins
1lb carrots - 4 cups shredded
2c minus 2T flour
2t baking powder
1t baking soda
1t salt
2t cinnamon
1T unsweetened cocoa (secret ingredient)
4 eggs
2t vanilla
1c white sugar (1/2c is enough unless you like it really sweet)
1c dark brown sugar
1 1/4c corn oil
1 1/2c chopped walnuts
Sift together dry ingredients (flour, powder, salt, soda, cinnamon, cocoa)
In mixer - beat eggs, add in vanilla, sugars, oil
Add dry mix and then fold in the carrots, nuts, raisins
Bake at 350 approx. 30 minutes in three 8" pans or two 9" pans or 1 large sheet pan
Cream cheese filling/icing
16 ounces cream cheese
4 ounces butter
1t vanilla
2c 10X Sugar
Soften the cream cheese and butter and then mix together with a mixer and beat in the vanilla and gradually sift in the 10X (confectioner's sugar) till it's a nice smooth consistency. Spread on each layer and ice the top.
Totally Tomatoes
I went to West Dean's Totally Tomato Festival last weekend. (They also do a chili and apple festival). There is absolutely no knitting content in this post, because it was so crowded that I could find a place to park myself and do a few stitches.
What does an expert wear when they're going to give a talk on how to grow tomatoes properly? Definitely makes an impression.
Growing them like this, means that they can grow many, many productive plants.
West Dean has some of the most fabulous vegetable gardens.
I have "borrowed" your carrot cake recipe and made it a number of times, receiving rave reviews. It's delish, especially the frosting. I thank you for sharing and I love your blog!
Posted by: Sue at October 12, 2005 01:05 PMPolly, these photos are absolutely gorgeous and make me wish I was a gardner as well as a knitter!
Posted by: Anmiryam at September 19, 2005 03:49 PMI am such a tomato addict... Those pictures made me jealous since all our tomato plants had some disease this year... Glad you had a great time! Those pants are to die for :)
Posted by: Dani at September 13, 2005 08:48 PMThe pear arch is amazing. Salvia salvia! Go salvia! xoxo Kay
Posted by: Kay at September 13, 2005 08:41 PMI've had this (almost) exact cake recipe. My husband loves carrot cake, so I've built up quite a selection of recipes. Don't worry if you're not a carrot lover--you don't taste them. It's like zucchini cake/bread.
I'm so jealous. It's been so hot here that the 'maters decided to take a little break. Now that's it's cooling off, I'm finally getting lots more fruit, but it's all veeerrryy green. And no festival!
Posted by: Diane at September 12, 2005 04:28 PMFantastic photos, a wonderful sight for the senses. I particularly love those tiny tomatoes that look like beads on the plant, so sweet.
Posted by: Louise at September 12, 2005 12:07 PMI've got a touch of blossom end rot this year! (My tomatoes that is and not personally) Still it makes fantastic soup. I shall store that carrot cake recipe away for a day when I feel more my thighs can cope with the poundage! Lovely photos.
Posted by: Tracy at September 12, 2005 10:00 AMI'm crazy about vegetable gardens, and loved the pictures. That lady has great style wearing tomatoey pants.
Posted by: Linda at September 11, 2005 11:29 PMI have to be honest, the tomatoes from my backyard don't taste very well! :( But the green beans are better.
Polly, I am knitting my second lace project - Kiri - and I have to tell you that it is soooo beautiful! I still have 3 or 5 pattern repeats to go before the edging ... can't wait to finish it!
Awesome photos. Awesome looking recipe - I'd give it a try. If you've never had carrot cake you're missing something really wonderful - especially the frosting!!
Love the pear archway!
Posted by: Laura at September 11, 2005 09:21 PMI haven't tried the recipe but it reads pretty much like most carrot cake recipes. You can't taste the carrots at all. They serve to provide moisture to the cake so what you end up with is a moist spice type cake. Try it ... you may like it! The rule at my house was everyone had to eat two bites of any "new" item so two bites will get you off the hook. The frosting is really delish so you may want to at least eat that.
Posted by: Charlotte at September 11, 2005 07:50 PMDo you live in a different country to me? Where did you find all that sunshine?? Must now go and find food - the husband has gone to NY and I am having to fend for myself :D
Posted by: Amelia at September 11, 2005 07:05 PMIn the days when I used to make Xmas Puddings and Xmas cake, I always invcluded grated carrot and unsweetened cocoa in the mix!
West Dean is indeed a lovely spot - I did knitting week-ends there many years ago. don't think they so them any more?
Posted by: Jill at September 11, 2005 04:45 PMUnsweetened cocoa - sounds like my perfect idea of a secret ingredient. I shall have to give this one a try. Love the photos from West Dean. It is so beautiful around that part of W. Sussex - I love the drive over the South Downs.
Posted by: carol at September 11, 2005 03:18 PM