Oct 10, 2012

4 Years, Cake, and a Giveaway

Four years ago I had no clue what I was doing with this blog.  That's pretty evident in my chattery writing, really awful photos, and all over the placeness.  I was back in Louisiana, wanting to re-experience what my boot-shaped state was all about.  I jumped in without much of a plan.

I like that I'm from the bottom of the boot where Louisiana wiggles her toes out into the Gulf, exploring what's out there (even if the Gulf slips pieces from her every day).  I like that life here is all about good food, good music, good coffee, and good fun.

Most of the time I'm still not sure I have a clue what I'm doing with this blog.  It's not the biggest.  The best.  The flashiest.  Or filled with the latest and greatest techno stuff.

It is what it is.  And it is filled with things that mean something to me.

And you, my readers, mean a great deal.  Many of you have been here for years--some since the beginning--through all the rambling and bumbling and bungling.  With support and encouragement.  Thank you for that.

Big, huge, giant thank-yous go to my family.  The ones who wait patiently at the table while I rush plates outside to try to get decent lighting.  Those who eat food that may not be as hot as it should because I'm blogging up their dinner.  Those who may want one thing but are served another because I have to "get it done for my blog."  They put up with a lot, those two.  And they never say a word against it.

To celebrate 4 years, I have cake...
which my family ate

and a gift...
since shipping cake to one of you probably wouldn't work very well.

One reader will win a copy of what is probably my favorite Cajun cookbook
Real Cajun: Rustic Home Cooking from Donald Link's Louisiana
  • The giveaway will run from now until 10 PM Central US time Sunday, October 14, 2012.  
  • The winner will be chosen by random drawing and will be announced Monday evening, October 15.
  • The winner will have 48 hours (Wed. Oct. 17) to respond or forfeit, in which case another winner will be chosen.
  • To enter, leave a comment on this post.  Be sure I can contact you either through a blog or email.
  • I will purchase the book through Amazon and have it shipped directly to the winner.
  • This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, or affiliated with any entity but me.

So this cake...
lucious, fudgy cake

Italian Fudge Cake

covered in rich ganache.

And why not add more chocolate on top.  It's me, afterall.

This recipe comes from a former co-worker--I don't know the original source.  I've been meaning to post it here for years.  But it's not something I make often since it's so rich.  It can be a bit temperamental with setting up (although it tastes just as good even if it doesn't set up quite right--I just switch to a spoon).

THANK YOU for 4 years!

Featured at:
White Lights on Wednesdays

Next week I hope to get back to some Cajun/Creole material.  I've been away from it the past few weeks...I miss it.  Our favorite festival Festivals Acadiens et Créoles is coming up this weekend.  I know it will get me back on track.

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Italian Fudge Cake
½ lb. (8 oz) chocolate (I use a mix of semi-sweet and dark)
1 ½ cups sugar
½ lb. (2 sticks) unsalted butter
5 whole eggs, slightly beaten

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a double boiler, put the chocolate, sugar, and unsalted butter over simmering water. Stir with a whisk until all the chocolate and butter has melted and the mixture is smooth.

In a stainless steel bowl, add the eggs and whisk.  Slowly pour the chocolate mixture into the eggs, whisking as you pour.  Incorporate completely.

For an 8 or 9 inch pan, cut a parchment paper to fit in the bottom only, no parchment on the sides. Pour cake batter into pan and gently “drop” on  hard surface (counter top) to remove any air bubbles. Bake in a water bath for 30 minutes. The cake will seem undone and jiggle a bit. If you are unsure cook another 5-7 minutes. Take out of oven and set on cooling rack. When cool refrigerate. Overnight works best. 


Have a cake circle available for the size pan you decide to use. Take a sharp paring knife, the thinner the blade the better, and carefully cut around the inside edge of the cake pan. Put the cake circle on the top of the cake pan and turn over. Run hot water over the bottom of the cake pan. The cake should release.  (Note: I didn't want to go through all of this and used a spring form pan.  Wrapped pan tightly in a double layer of heavy duty foil to prevent water from seeping in.)

Make a ganache (below).  Set cake on a cooling rack placed over a pan or sheet of waxed paper.  Slowly and evenly pour over the cake to cover. Allow the ganache to set before serving. 


Store cake in refrigerator. 


 Ganache
½ pound chocolate, chips or grated
1 cup heavy cream

Place the chips in a mixing bowl. Bring the cream to a boil and immediately pour over chips and whisk until smooth.



Linking this week with:
MyMeatlessMondays Photobucket
 Hearth and Soul blog hop at Premeditated Leftovers
Love Bakes  Good Cakes
Nap-Time Creations
White Lights on Wednesdays
Recipe Box Miz Helen’s Country Cottage
Gallery of Favorites BWS tips button
Freedom Fridays Seasonal Sunday Teapot copy

29 comments:

  1. Congrats on 4 years :) My sister and I are newbies (one year as of June) - I can't imagine 4 years later still being able to come up with new and exciting blog topics! Good job! BTW - that cake looks amazing. I'm pretty sure I just got diabetes from the photo of it. lol

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  2. Congratulations on 4 years of blogging! Most of us started out like you did :) and sometimes I still feel like that too. But it's like you said "it's yours, and the content makes you happy" and that's what matters. I enjoy visiting here!

    That cake looks awesome and I'm always looking for good cookbooks :)

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  3. I love all things Luziann and your blog is right in there with that : ) I know I've fallen off the blogging train, but I hope to get back to it once I graduate this December. I'm still following my favorite blogs when I catch a moment of peace. Thanks for sharing all that you do on your blog. Best-The Kitchen Witch

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  4. ohgoodgolly that cake looks screamingly yumful! Perfect way to celebrate 4 years...congratulations!
    I wish I could get to the Festivals Acadiens et Créoles this year...I'd so love to be listening to Zydeco and eating a Cajun burger. Have a superfun time...Cheers!

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  5. Louisiana...you just have to love her! I know I sure do ! Congrats on 4 years blogging! Here's to many more!!

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  6. Congrats Ms. enPlace! So happy for you...and for your family who gets to enjoy that scrumdilliumptious cake! All the best to you!

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  7. Congrats on 4 years! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your blog!! That cake looks dangerously good! Pinning.

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  8. Congratulations on 4 years of blogging!
    ricettebarbare at gmail dot com

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  9. I have this cookbook...and I love it. so, I'm not commenting to win anything, but to tell you congrats!! And that I love your blog. Me? I'm still all over the place. LOL

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  10. thanks for this giveaway!
    gkuroda(at)gmail(d0t)com

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  11. Congrats on 4 years of blogging! Have fun at the festival; we are undecided about whether or not to go (depends a lot on what kind of day the baby is having).

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  12. Happy 4 year blogversary! That chocolate cake looks too good to be legal! Here's to four more years.

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  13. Happy blog anniversary :)

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  14. Oh my goodness. 4 years! That's amazing Michelle. This cake looks and sounds totally amazing. You know I had to come get the recipe.

    I'm guilty of the, "wait, I need to get a picture" in the backyard. And Mike always gets the biggest portion, which also usually happens to be the most photogenic. He's learned to ask if I've gotten my picture before eating any meal/dessert. My poor boys. :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for linking up. You're being featured on Wednesday Whatsits!
      http://www.whitelightsonwednesday.com/2012/10/wednesday-whatsits-30.html

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  15. Congratulations on 4 years, Michelle! I love your blog! And that cake?! It looks dangerous and good :) Yum!

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  16. This cake is lovely. A must try for me. Congratulations on your anniversary! Thanks for sharing on Not Your Ordinary Recipe.

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  17. That cake looks great! Congratulations on 4 years!

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  18. It's not dessert if it doesn't have chocolate, in my book!

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  19. Congratulations on your blog-anniversary, it is worth celebrating all your hard work, especially with fabulous chocolate cake! I can so relate to the lukewarm meals and lighting chase ... my family is ever so patient as well.

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  20. Congratulations on 4 years of awesome food! Your cake is certainly celebration worthy, it looks delicious. Hope you are having a great weekend and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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  21. Wow, congratulations on 4 years of wonderful blogging. I fully understand your gratitude for the "ever patient" family of a blogger - my partner often jokes that he's going to start his own blog about the "joys" of living with a blogger! This cakes is a wonderful way to celebrate - it may be rich, but I'm pretty sure I could pack a way a giant slice of that.

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  22. That cake looks GORGEOUS! I love the pieces of chocolate on the edge. That just makes the whole thing even better!

    I've been blogging for about 4 years too now. I'm still not sure about what I'm doing, but I keep on blogging.

    Thank you for always being so supportive! Congratulations on 4 wonderful, tasty years! Keep up the great work! xox

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  23. Yours is such a wonderful blog... I am so glad to be acquainted with you and your wonderful cooking... congrats.

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  24. Congratulations on 4 years! The cake looks incredibly delicious - perfect for a celebration!

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  25. Congrats on four wonderful years. This looks amazing. Have I mentioned, I love chocolate?

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  26. Wow, My Friend. 4 years, I am amazed and so truly inspired by what you do, what you post and your writings. I am so glad that I have found you and have the opportunity to learn so many things from you. I will still be following in the for the next 4+ years:)

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  27. This looks wonderful! I would love you to link this up to our recipe linky at my travel blog, Katies Language Cafe! ~~Katie http://www.katieslanguagecafe.com/2012/10/french-cuisine-fridays-recipe-link-up-4.html

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  28. I'm so sorry I missed this post in October! Belated congratulations on your 4 year blog-o-versary! What a beautiful cake - so rich and delicious. Love the ganache - it looks gorgeous.

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Thanks for stopping by! I appreciate your comments.