Spicy Apple Cake

Updated this recipe as I found a better one. This one I brought to the cookout at Rob's and I must say, it was a BIG HIT!!!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup milk
2 cups apple - peeled, cored, and chopped
1/4 cup shortening
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1/4 cup evaporated milk

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9 inch square pan. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the shortening, brown sugar and white sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the milk, mixing just until incorporated. Stir in the chopped apples.

Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.

To make the frosting: In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup shortening, confectioners' sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Beat until light and creamy. Beat in the milk, one tablespoon at a time, until desired spreading consistency is achieved. Spread over top of cooled cake.

The frosting can be quite sweet so instead of making the frosting, top cake with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. I assure you it's equally yummy!

Alcoholic Hot Chocolate

From the kitchen of Nigella Lawson. First time I saw the episode, I wanted to try this. It reminds me of Starbucks moments with Vivian and Abby. Drinking it in my Nigella cup only makes it more tasty!

Ingredients:
2 cups milk
3 1/2 ounces best-quality dark chocolate, bittersweet or semisweet, as preferred
1 cinnamon stick
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons dark rum, or to taste

Directions:
Put the milk into a saucepan and break the chocolate into pieces and add to the milk along with a cinnamon stick, honey, and sugar and heat gently until the chocolate is melted.
Add the vanilla and mix with a small hand whisk and still whisking, add a spoonful of the rum first and taste to see if you want more. Add more sugar if you want this sweeter, too. Take out the cinnamon stick and pour into 2 cappuccino or caffe latte cups.

Sauteed Smoked Gouda Cheese Grits with Black Bean Salsa

Had this at Carrie's and it is sooo good I'm trying it out this weekend! Truly Southern cooking!

Ingredients:
2 cups milk
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup quick-cooking grits, uncooked
3/4 cup chopped smoked Gouda cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus 2 tablespoons salt
3 tablespoons butter, divided
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 cup beer
1 tablespoon olive oil
Black Bean Salsa, recipe follows
1/2 cup sour cream
1 medium tomato, seeded and diced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
2 tablespoons chopped green onions
12 fresh chives, cut into 1-inch pieces

Black Bean Salsa:
2 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, drained
2/3 cup picante sauce
2 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon iodized salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
3 tablespoons chopped green onions



Directions:
Stir together milk and 3/4 cup water in a 1 1/2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Stir in grits, cheese, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring constantly, 9 minutes or until thickened. Stir in 2 tablespoons butter. Pour grits into a lightly greased 11 by 7-inch baking dish. Cover and chill 3 hours or until firm. I recommend overnight.
Combine flour, 2 tablespoons salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Pour beer into a small bowl.
Cut grits into 2-inch squares. Dip grits squares into beer; dredge in flour mixture, repeating procedure twice.
Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat; stir in 1 tablespoon oil.
Cook grits squares, in batches, in hot butter mixture 5 minutes on each side or until golden, adding butter and oil as needed.
Arrange 3 grits squares in center of 6 individual serving plates.
Spoon Black Bean Salsa evenly over grits squares. Top evenly with sour cream. Sprinkle evenly with tomato, parsley, green onions, and chives.

For the salsa:
Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add onion and garlic, and saute until tender. Stir in beans and next 6 ingredients; cook, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Stir in parsley and green onions.