Ask and you shall receive.
This week's baking experiment is a delectable four-layer espresso cake that you guys voted for. Unlike some of my other baking adventures, this one was definitely a time consuming treat. The recipe comes from a book called Death by Chocolate Cakes by Marcel Desaulniers, and although the cake came out great, there were still a few things I would change about it. For instance, it calls for dividing the batter into four pans instead of two (and then splitting the layers). I found that this led to drier layers and if faced with this recipe again, I would definitely make two cake layers and split them each in half instead. Also, the cake itself wasn't amazing, I prefer fluffy cakes with a nicer crumb texture. However, the folks I made it for didn't seem to notice, the cake was devoured before the day was finished.

Also, I actually don't drink much caffeine these days and after three bites of this cake, I was crazy wired. So don't eat this one as a midnight snack, okay?

To check out the recipe, complete with step-by-step picture instructions, read more

Younger and newly established wine labels have recently been hit hard by the enforcement of a law concerning the names of wine. A trade pact between the United States and Europe, established to protect the origin of the wine, does not allow American wine labels to use names usually associated with European wines. You see in the old days - and I mean before wines were produced in California old - wine derived its name from the location in which it was made. Champagne was from Champagne, Port was from Portugal, Chianti was from Italy, and Sherry was from Spain. When vintners in America began to use similar techniques and grapes in their wine production, they took the European names and used them on their wine labels.

Following the practice of the trade agreement, all new wine labels from young wineries submitted for review to the US government must follow the rules. This has caused lots of public whining from vintners. Even if they have spent years making a certain varietal of wine, like a Port they can no longer name it a Port. Large, esteemed older wineries are not affected by the law.

Wouldn't it have been cool if the early American winemakers had followed the European technique and named their wine after the location in which it was produced? Wine would be called Napa, Sonoma, and San Luis Obispo!

Source: Press Democrat

• Have you seen these date bars? Reporter Sadie Stein goes on a hunt to figure out where they come from. - Serious Eats

• If my earlier post about pho made you want to learn more, check out this site dedicated to the Vietnamese soup. - Pho-king
• Chowhound is a forum for people to talk about food and dining, but it turns out that sometimes those posts get deleted. The folks at Eater are doing their best to publish banned posts, including bad restaurant reviews. - Eater



• If all microwaved cakes taste as awesome as this one looks, I might be okay with the whole idea. (and fyi pudding is synonymous for dessert)- The Passionate Cook
• How is it that I've never had a pork burger before? I'm going to have to remedy that soon. - Simply Recipes
• Apparently the folks at Consumer Reports have found that the coffee at McDonald's is better than the coffee at Starbucks. - Single Serve Espresso
• Man, I thought I could eat... check out this 95 pound lady eat 20 pounds in one sitting - GiggleSugar

A few years ago, while at a little taqueria in Sacramento, my friend purchased a small green bottle with a fancy maroon label that said "sangria." I immediately wondered what bottled sangria would be like and started to imagine the possibilities when I noticed the word "non-alcoholic" right above "sangria." And yet, somehow this made me more intrigued. So I purchased a bottle and gave it a try.

What I experienced was a spicy grape soda with a sangria-ish flavor. I found it to be a great complement to my spicy tacos. If you want to try it yourself, Senorial Sangria is available for $1.35 a bottle.

Thanks to everyone who joined us in the Live Chat Room. Today we discussed brownies, blue cheese, our favorite celebrity chefs, and everything in between. Be sure to catch the chat next Thursday at 11am PT / 2pm ET.

To join us, just click here to enter the chat room. We'll see you next week!

If your gift recipient is anti cutesy hearts and flowers for Valentine's Day, then these heavy-duty 10" Lovesick Plates are going to be up their alley. Although they do have flowers in the background, they're way too interesting to be considered cutesy. They'd make a great gift to use on the dinner table, but they'd look even more divine hanging on a wall. Set of four for $40.00.

If hearts are more their style, these elegant and unique cups with matching heart-shaped saucers will definitely make them smile. They'll be able to host classy, yet fun, tea parties all year round. Set of six cups and saucers for $42.

Two more, so read more

If you're anything like me, there are certain foods that you absolutely love so much you have to stop and take a bite whenever they cross your path. Even if you've just eaten a delicious and filling meal, when you see these tempting favorites you have to give in. I wish I could say that my two weakness foods are broccoli and grapefruit, but I can't; the foods that I will always take a bite of are deviled eggs and pizza. Since love is in the air (Valentine's Day is next week!), why not make one of my true love foods? Making pizza at home is a healthier way to enjoy a tempting dish: substitute low fat cheese and pile on the vegetables. This recipe is for a variation on the usual pizza because it has a creamy white sauce instead of tomato sauce. To make pizza blanco for dinner, read more

Valentine's Day is less than a week away and the only thing stopping you from having an incredibly lovey-dovey dinner with your lover is yourself. It's not impossible, you can plan a private little passionate evening for you and your honey bun that's sure to be 101 pounds of fun. Many couples feel pressured to spend a lot of money on an expensive meal at a fancy restaurant in order to properly celebrate their love for one another. I propose that instead of making reservations, you make plans to host your own special dinner to express your heartfelt, genuine feelings for your guy. You will be in control of everything including a hand written invitation, a budget-able meal, and an enticing bottle of champagne. To learn how to change the look of your house to reflect that of a romantic seductress, read more