"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring - it was peace." - Milan Kundera (b. 1929) Czech author
“The advantages of whiskey over dogs
are legion. Whiskey does not need to be periodically wormed, it does not
need to be fed, it never requires a special kennel, it has no toenails
to be clipped or coat to be stripped. Whiskey sits quietly in its
special nook until you want it. True, whiskey has a nasty habit of
running out, but then so does a dog.”
WC Fields
WC Fields may have been famous for stating his hatred of children and dogs, but that doesn't stop me from loving his films. Whether or not his dislike of dogs was an act or reality, I can't help but like him. Today is 133rd anniversary of his birth. In celebration I am sharing a clip of one of my favorite scenes from his best film (in my opinion), Its A Gift. Even at 80 years of age this movie never gets old. The recipe is inspired by the fruit, Kumquats, mentioned in the scene.
Kumquat Yogurt Cake for WC Field's Birthday (adapted from See Girl Cook)
(This recipe may not use the ten pounds of Kumquats WC Fields was looking for, but its still full of Kumquat flavor)
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups Kumquats, sliced in half and seeded
3 eggs, whisked
1 cup plain yogurt
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2 cup vegetable oil or olive oil
Preheat oven to 350 and line a loaf pan with parchment paper. Whisk the dry ingredients together in a large bowl aside. In the food processor combine the sugar and kumquats and process until combined into a chunky paste. Pour the kumquat paste into another bowl and add the yogurt, eggs, and almond extract. Whisk together until completely combined. Add the oil and fold in with a spatula until completely combined. Bake for 45-50 minutes until cooked through.
“The advantages of whiskey over dogs are legion. Whiskey does not need to be periodically wormed, it does not need to be fed, it never requires a special kennel, it has no toenails to be clipped or coat to be stripped. Whiskey sits quietly in its special nook until you want it. True, whiskey has a nasty habit of running out, but then so does a dog.”
W.C. Fields
January 29 marks the birthday of the famed comedienne, almost as well known for his purported hatred of children and dogs as for he is for his films. Here is Bob's tribute to a classic Field's skit: The Fatal Glass of Beer
In Field's honor we are also sharing a recipe for Chocolate Whiskey Cake. Of course Fields preferred his whiskey in liquid form, but we prefer it in this cake. It really is delicious
Chocolate Whiskey Cake
1 lb pound bittersweet chocolate, chopped (I used Scharffen Berger chunks) 10 tablespoons (1¼ sticks) unsalted butter 3 ounces Whiskey 1 tablespoon cocoa-powder 6 large eggs ¾ cup sugar
Sweetened whipped cream for serving
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a 9-inch diameter springform pan with 2¾-inch high sides. Combine chocolate and butter in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir over low heat until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Whisk in Bourbon and cocoa powder. Cool to lukewarm.
2. Using an electric mixer, beat eggs and sugar in a large bowl until tripled in volume, about 5 minutes. Stir ¼ of the beaten egg mixture into cooled chocolate mixture to lighten, then fold chocolate mixture into remaining egg mixture. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Smooth with an offset spatula.
3. Bake cake until tester inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs still attached, about 40 to 45 minutes. Cook cake in pan on rack (cake will sink as it cools). run knife around pan sides to loosen cake. Release pan sides.
