Give up?
Why, my Kentucky Bourbon Fruit Cake, of course!
I was all set to begin plumping up the candied cherries and raisins last night, when we discovered that we were plum out of bourbon! YIKES!!!! Can't make a Kentucky Bourbon Fruit Cake without it, now can you? So C contributed to this year's production by making a trip out in the cold rainy night to our local bottle man. Here are the fruits being strained, after 12 hours of plumping:
fear not: the strained bourbon is later added to the batter!I thoroughly enjoy the entire process of preparing this fruit cake (especially in my new kitchen, which I am happy to report is an absolute delight to cook in!): the chopping (1 pound of pecans), the creaming (1-1/2 cups butter, 2-1/3 cups dark brown sugar, 2-1/3 cups white sugar), the sifting (5 cups cake flour), and the beating (6 eggs, separated).
So, here's the batter, all set to be popped into the oven (275) for 3-1/2 hours! 
That's just a small portion of the dirty dishes!After the baking is complete (and the kitchen smells oh so good!), the cake must cool, and then a bourbon infused wad of cheese cloth is popped down into the center and the whole thing is wrapped in aluminum foil, refrigerated, and left to its own self for a month. MMMMMMM!
Ooooooooops: I forgot to take a final photo!!! Sorry!!!! You'll just have to wait a month!!
So, tell me, do you like fruit cake? If not, I want to know what it is that you find disagreeable? And then, please do come by sometime after December 25th for a tiny slice of my lovely concoction, for I'm sure you'll change your mind!
I did have a bit of time (but not much) in the studio late this afternoon, but still don't have enough to show. Tomorrow????
C and I have been enjoying the Two Fat Ladies cooking videos. Are you familiar with them? They are hilarious (although I am sad to learn that Jennifer has died), the scenery is beautiful, and of course, the cooking is great! Right now they are watching a bee man separate honey from the comb. MMMMMM!
With all this talk of food, and the fast approaching Turkey Day, I thought this Maxine comic from my friend Bobbie was most appropriate:
PEACE!!!!
