Cooking with Myra: Remembering a life well lived
Celebration Chocolate Cake
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Celebration Chocolate Cake
3/4 cup boiling water
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch-process)
1 tsp. instant-espresso powder
1/2 cup whole milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
11/4 tsp. baking soda
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Celebration Chocolate Cake
3/4 cup boiling water
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch-process)
1 tsp. instant-espresso powder
1/2 cup whole milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
11/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups packed dark brown sugar
4 large eggs
Chocolate Ganache:
21/2 cups heavy cream
20 oz. fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), finely chopped in a food processor
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter 3 (7- or 8-inch, 2-inch-deep) round cake pans and line bottoms with rounds of wax or parchment paper. Butter paper and dust pans with flour, knocking out excess. (By buttering the pan, then placing the paper on top, and buttering and dusting, the paper will not "stick" to the cake after baking.)
In a bowl whisk together water, cocoa, and espresso powder until smooth, then whisk in milk and vanilla.
Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt.
Beat together butter and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at high speed until fluffy, then add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture and cocoa mixture in batches, beginning and ending with flour and mixing at low speed. Do not over-mix or cake will not have good texture. Divide batter among pans (about 21/3 cups per pan), smoothing tops. Bake in middle of oven until a tester comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes for 7-inch pans or 20 to 25 minutes for 8-inch. Cool in pans on a rack 30 minutes, then invert onto racks, remove paper, and cool completely.
While the cakes are baking: Bring cream to a simmer in a 3- to 4-quart saucepan and remove from heat. Whisk in chocolate until smooth. Transfer ganache to a bowl and chill, covered, stirring occasionally, until thickened but spreadable, about 4 hours. (If ganache becomes too thick, let stand at room temperature until slightly softened.) You can speed this process by placing in the freezer 20 minutes. The chocolate will change color as it cools.
Arrange 1 layer on a cake stand or plate and spread 2/3 cup ganache evenly over it. Top with another cake layer and 2/3 cup ganache, spreading evenly, then third cake layer. Place ganache back in refrigerator if consistency is not spread able. Chill cake until ganache filling is firm, about one hour. Keep remaining ganache at a spreadable consistency, chilling when necessary.
Spread a layer of ganache over top and sides of cake then chill for 15 minutes. Continue to spread remaining ganache evenly over top and sides of cake. This will allow you to "seal" the crumbs on the cake.
Cake layers can be made ahead, cooled, wrapped and refrigerated. The chocolate icing (ganache) can be made ahead and refrigerated. Allow to come to room temperature for 2 hours before spreading.
Garnish with leaves, flower (edible) and serve!
Those who navigate little streams and shallow creeks know but little of the God of tempests; but those who "do business in great waters," these see His "wonders of the deep." Among the huge Atlantic waves of bereavement, poverty, temptation and reproach, we learn the power of God, because we feel the littleness of man.
Sometimes in life, we experience a bend in our road. The path we had been traveling on had been mostly straight and level, then suddenly and unexpectedly - it happens.
This bend, which we could not have foreseen is usually mind-numbing like a sudden, severe illness, death of a loved one or loss of a job.
We may have had some long-term plan regarding life expectations. In fact, it sometimes seems like we can see way down that road of life. And then comes the curve or bend in the road, which we cannot see around.
In my own life, I have experienced several bends in my road, and through these, I hope I have learned what things are most important in life. I followed the expected path for a long while - grow up in a nice family, get an education, get married to a nice guy, have three healthy kids, save money for retirement . then at age 39 get diagnosed with cancer.
It has been nine years since I went through that less-than-enjoyable experience. It taught me patience, humility and compassion.
About a year ago, a friend of mine, Starr, learned she had a serious form of bone cancer. She had been experiencing some pain in her leg and had consulted a doctor. The news was not what she expected.
As with all diagnoses, there was the fear of dying. She was willing to go for treatment and the doctors encouraged her in her hope for remission or a cure.
Her husband has always been a supportive type of guy and was by her side for this.
Her two kids were no doubt shocked by the disease, but tried to carry on in as much a normal sort of family way as they could.
Our paths have crossed lots of times over the years, mostly in relation to St. Joseph High School, where all of our kids have attended. Her husband and I have served for years together on that school board.
Starr and I were not intimate friends before she developed cancer, but we had common friends and I always enjoyed talking to her. She was one of those people with a sweet, giving and positive attitude.
The news of her cancer touched me deeply. I remember the fear that comes with the diagnosis. I hoped she could come to replace that sense of dread and discouragement with peace and hope.
I called her to talk. I am unsure of how important my conversations were with her, but I know how important her words were to me.
In the face of dying, she was brave. She decided to fight her cancer with harsh chemotherapy treatments, which often took her weeks to recover from.
She was not always able to talk, but oh how she could text. She most often wanted to know how I was or how my kids were doing.
She seemed always concerned about me when I was trying to be her comforter.
Her friends got together and wanted to do something to help, but usually she let us know that she and her family were getting along fine.
She succumbed to our relentless offers of food and finally accepted weekly meals from friends. I feel that those who cooked for them received a great blessing knowing that they had a chance to help in a meaningful way. Preparing a meal for someone lets them know you care and are thinking of them.
Through the months of testing and often discouraging results and then more chemotherapy, she often became weak, but inside her slight frame beat the heart of one of the most courageous women I know.
I had the opportunity to take her to Houston to see her doctor on several occasions, and I cherished the time we spent talking about life and our families.
Several times, the doctors or technicians were running behind schedule and not once did I ever hear her complain. We usually sat quietly in the reception areas of the massive medical complex of MD Anderson waiting her turn to see if the tumors were smaller or larger.
We dared to hope for a miracle . or at least more time or less pain. I don't think that I ever sat waiting for her that I did not offer up prayers.
Many times, the suffering of patients was evident in their facial expressions or the weariness of their caregivers.
I saw sadness and grief as people experienced the first notification of a terminal illness, but I also saw peace in faces of folks who accepted their journey and the spiritual growth it might bring.
Starr helped me to remember how precious life is and that the little things we often worry about have no great or lasting significance. Her journey was one of loving all those she came in contact with.
I asked her once on one of our trips if she could feel the prayers of the hundreds of people who were praying for her.
I told her I remembered how those prayers felt during my illness. She looked over at me and gave me that smile that could light up a room and said, "That's why I can keep hoping."
At the end of October, she fulfilled a wish she had for a long time. Her entire family, her siblings and their kids and her dad went on a cruise. She wanted everyone to be together and laugh and make memories.
Several weeks after her vacation her body began to weaken and she had to go to the hospital.
Her sister, Denise, came to stay with her in the hospital. I think if I ever have to go to the hospital for any length of time I would like Denise to go with me. She was a loving comforter and caregiver.
I visited Starr in the hospital and although she was weak, her concern once again was for me and my family.
Several days later, she traded this earth for a heavenly home. I attended her funeral on Saturday and it was a celebration of her life. The church was filled with people who were woven into her life and the lives of her loved ones.
Father David told us of a story of Starr reading the Bible during Mass. He asked her to read the scripture like she was proclaiming God's word to people.
He said that our lives should proclaim who God is. Starr lived her life as a proclamation of God's love.
There is much sadness in the hearts and minds of her friends and family, but she has left us all with a legacy of selflessness and love for others.
Despite her last year of suffering, she blessed all around her.
I helped with the meal for family and friends after the funeral. There were so many who called to lend a helping hand.
As we scurried about fussing over the food, I remembered previous times when Starr volunteered at school events with us.
Each of us wanted to give back something of what she had given us. I have often said that it is sitting around a table that hearts are fed.
I had the opportunity to cook with my daughter, Hannah, over the Thanksgiving holiday. I am grateful for the time I get to spend with her. She had to split her holiday with her fiancé's family since it was her future father-in-law's birthday.
Hannah decided to prepare a Chocolate Ganache Cake, which is a beautiful, rich dessert, special enough for any occasion. I decided to print her recipe so that you can make this cake for someone you love.
There doesn't have to be a birthday to have cake ... just living is celebration enough.
Myra Starkey lives in Victoria. Write her in care of the Advocate, P.O. Box 1518, Victoria, TX 77901, or e-mail myra@vicad.com.
