Sylvia's Scenario

I'm still enjoying the berries that are in season, especially the raspberries.  They are super big and plump right now and we're buying two containers every time we go the grocery store.  I came across this recipe by Driscoll's Berries, the same company as the berries we buy.  This recipe reminded me of strawberry shortcake except the berries are mixed into the cake and meringue is used instead of whipping cream.   I was going to substitute whipping cream but I'm glad I didn't because the meringue was even better!  I should have whipped my meringue more so it's a little flat but it didn't effect the taste at all.  I just didn't have the glorious peaks that meringue is known for.  Here is what the cake looked like from the recipe photo:  I also used all the raspberry syrup that the recipe instructs you to make but in the photo, I think they must have just used a dab of it since most the meringue is white and not red like mine. ...

If you want to enjoy the summer berries right now without the loaded calories of whipping cream and shortcake, here's a recipe for you.  We've had this salad twice this month and I'm not sure what I like most about it; the maple sunflower seeds or the oil/vinegar dressing with a hint of Dijon mustard and more maple syrup.  The combination of all of it put together is so good.  The nutrient-dense superfood of spinach and the berries loaded with antioxidants and phytoflavinoids are sure to boost your immune system during this era of coronavirus and we all need that right now.  I made this salad for Memorial Day, thus the red, white and blue theme. Lauren and Bruce went jogging at Alki beach while I tended to the barbecue.  I'm trying to perfect a recipe that was one of my favorites my dad always made; barbecued pot roast.  I always requested this on my birthday and since my birthday is in the summer, my dad would make it for me and it was my most favo...

Yesterday was my brother's birthday-another excuse to make a cake!  His wife told me he loves anything with a chocolate and raspberry combination.  That sounded easy enough, there are a lot of recipes for cakes with that combination.   I decided to use one of Martha Stewart's recipes using bittersweet chocolate and fresh raspberries.  I've mentioned before that I really like making layered cakes for birthdays instead of other options such as sheet cakes, bundt cakes, or heaven forbid...cupcakes.  Don't ask, it's just me.  We grew up always getting a homemade layer cake for our birthdays, sitting around the table drooling at it, lighting the candles and waiting patiently to dig in.  It was such a treat.  Today, it is such a treat because hardly anybody makes them anymore.  I guess it's an old fashioned thing.  But I love making them.  And people love eating them.   Nowadays, most recipes are multi-layered ca...