Tiramisu Layer Cake

All I can say is this is worth every bite! I found this recipe on allrecipes.com. Click on the title and it will take you there. I wanted to make something that said our company was special, I think this did nicely. Great meeting you Brandon!

CAKE: 1 (18.25 ounce) package moist white cake mix 1 teaspoon instant coffee powder 1/4 cup coffee 1 tablespoon coffee flavored liqueur FILLING: 1 (8 ounce) container mascarpone cheese 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

2 tablespoons coffee flavored liqueur FROSTING: 2 cups heavy cream 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar 2 tablespoons coffee flavored liqueur GARNISH: 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 1 (1 ounce) square semisweet chocolate

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 3 (9 inch) pans.
2.	Prepare the cake mix according to package directions. Divide two thirds of batter between 2 pans. Stir instant coffee into remaining batter; pour into remaining pan.
3.	Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. In a measuring cup, combine brewed coffee and 1 tablespoon coffee liqueur; set aside.
4.	To make the filling: In a small bowl, using an electric mixer set on low speed, combine mascarpone, 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar and 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur; beat just until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
5.	To make the frosting: In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer set on medium-high speed, beat the cream, 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar and 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur until stiff. Fold 1/2 cup of cream mixture into filling mixture.
6.	To assemble the cake: Place one plain cake layer on a serving plate. Using a thin skewer, poke holes in cake, about 1 inch apart. Pour one third of reserved coffee mixture over cake, then spread with half of the filling mixture. Top with coffee-flavored cake layer; poke holes in cake. Pour another third of the coffee mixture over the second layer and spread with the remaining filling. Top with remaining cake layer; poke holes in cake. Pour remaining coffee mixture on top. Spread sides and top of cake with frosting. Place cocoa in a sieve and lightly dust top of cake. Garnish with chocolate curls. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.
7.	To make the chocolate curls, use a vegetable peeler and run it down the edge of a chocolate bar.

Sweet and Sauer Beef

Thoroughly a Norsk-y dish and soooo good. I like to use short ribs, but you can use any kind of beef you would use in a stew; and like all recipes you can adjust the ingredients to the way you might like it. More or less sauerkraut, plain mustard instead of spicy mustard, etc....

2 lbs. short ribs

2 tablespoons oil

1 large onion chopped

1 16-ounce can sauerkraut, drained and rinsed.

1 cup beef broth

1 cup current jelly

2 tablespoons prepared spicy mustard

1 8-ounce can sliced water chestnuts

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

1/2 teaspoon caraway seed

Brown short ribs in oil in large dutch oven (remove ribs from pan and set aside), add onions and brown. Add beef broth, jelly, mustard, salt, pepper, caraway seed, simmer for 5-10 minutes. Add beef, water chestnuts and sauerkraut and mix well, continue to simmer slow for about 2 hours, or place dutch oven in a 250 F. oven for 2-3 hours, or in a crock pot on low for about 8 hrs. Serve over rice or dumpling noodles.

Old Fashioned Apple Crisp

Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C)

*8 cups thinly slice apples

1 cup white sugar

1 tablespoon flour

slightly heaped teaspoon cinnamon

juice of one small lemon

1/3 cup water

1 cup old fashioned oats

1 cup flour

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup butter melted

Scatter sliced apples in a 11x8 inch baking pan, sprinkle with lemon juice and toss. Mix sugar, 1 tablespoon flour and cinnamon together. Sprinkle over apples and pour water evenly over all.

Combine oats, flour, brown sugar , baking powder, baking soda and butter mix till crumbly. Crumble evenly over apple mixture. Bake in preheated oven for approximately 45-50 minutes. Serve warm or cold with lots of freshly whipped whipping cream or with Vanilla ice cream.

* 8-10 cups thinly sliced apples, I use approx. 8 depends on how many apples I have : )