Confessions of a recipe junkie

I'm so excited! A few days ago, I received in the mail the Rachel Ray Express Lane Meals cookbook that I'd sent away for by saving box tops from Nabisco crackers during the holiday season. And today, I'll be using it for the first time to make Turkey Sausage Burgers with Onions and Peppers. There's just something about using a cookbook for the first time - I can't explain it, but I love it!

On a completely different note, I've also been scouring the internet for cupcake recipes for a baby shower that I'm co-hosting next month. I can't decide whether or not I should use one of the many boxed cake mixes I've collected over the past few months (it seems like they're always on sale and I'm always buying them) or make them from scratch. If I do decide to make them from scratch, I think I've decided on Magnolia Bakery's vanilla cupcakes. (I just finished reading Bergdorf Blondes by Plum Sykes, and these were the vice of the main character in the book.) I've heard amazing things about these cupcakes, but have also heard that they are way too sweet. I may just might have to do a trial run before the big day so that I can see if they'll be worth the work of making them from scratch in the midst of the other preparations for the party.

Second Post...Second Cake - Rum Cake

My second post contains another yummy cake. This one is made using rum and is also covered in a rum-based glaze. It's very moist and great to take to a party!

Rum Cake

1 yellow cake mix
1 3-3/4 oz. instant vanilla pudding
4 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 c. oil
1/2 cup cold water
3/4 cup rum
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Butter and flour bundt pan. Sprinkle nuts on bottom of pan. Mix rest of ingredients for 2 minutes.

Bake at 325º for 1 hour. Pour glaze (recipe below) over cake and let stand for 2 hours before turning out.

Glaze
1 cube butter
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup rum
1/4 cup water
Boil for 1 minute


Enjoy!!!