Tag easy

NATIONAL SPONGE CAKE DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 3 Comments

On August 23rd, enjoy National Sponge Cake Day with the quintessential classic of the cake world. This airy queen of teas is the guest of honor, but we get the pleasure of tasting! 

One of the trickiest cakes for bakers to master, a perfect sponge stands tall. Another balancing trick for bakers includes maintaining a fine crumb while keeping the cake moist. If you enjoy layering berries and whipped cream, the sponge handles this task beautifully. 

The sponge cake is believed to be one of the first non-yeasted cakes. 

The sponge cake is thought to have originated in the Caribbean. However, the earliest English printed recipe for sponge cake comes from an English poet and author, Gervase Markham. In 1615 he published a sponge cake recipe in the book The English Huswife, Containing the Inward and Outward Virtues Which Ought to Be in a Complete Woman.

I can’t knit or make plum jam, but I can bake a bloody Victoria sponge. ~ Helen Mirren as Chris in Calendar Girls (2003)

In 2003, the sponge cake played a tiny role in the movie Calendar Girls starring Helen Mirren. In the scene, Mirren’s character, Chris, enters a baking competition. However, she forgets she entered, and instead of entering a sponge cake of her own making, she submits a store-bought Victoria sponge cake.

Want More Cake…

HOW TO OBSERVE #SpongeCakeDay

Be sure to find more of your favorite cakes here.

Get some sponge cake and enjoy it. Or, if you are up to the challenge, try this Glorious Sponge Cake recipe. Serve it with berries or a preserve. Use #SpongeCakeDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL LAZY DAY

Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

On August 10th, National Lazy Day gives us permission to relax and kickback. So, we’re going to be a bit lazy here.

As you can see, there is not much information regarding this annually celebrated holiday as we do not feel like doing any research. Actually, we do not feel like doing anything at all.  Consequently, we are in our hammocks with a couple of good books and glasses of lemonade and iced tea. Yes, it is a Lazy Day. We choose to be lazy rather than tell much more about this day.

You can’t teach people to be lazy – they either have it, or they don’t.

Dogwood Bumstead

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalLazyDay

Take this test to prepare yourself for the day. Lazy people fact #72432143726413424. If you were too lazy to read that number, you’re ready to celebrate this day.

Indulge yourself with a great book. Here are some of my favorites. Post you favorite activities on #NationalLazyDay to social media.

National Lazy Day#NationalLazyDay
National Lazy Day
National Lazy Day Coffee Mug, 11 or 15oz Ceramic Mug, Unmotivated Mug, Motivated to do Nothing, Gifts for Him, Gifts for Her#NationalLazyDay
National Lazy Day Coffee Mug, 11 or 15oz Ceramic Mug, Unmotivated Mug, Motivated to do Nothing, Gifts for Him, Gifts for Her
The Lost Bookshop: The most charming and uplifting novel for 2024 and the perfect gift for book lovers!#NationalLazyDay
The Lost Bookshop: The most charming and uplifting novel for 2024 and the perfect gift for book lovers!
The perfect way to windup a day. Settle in for a good Movie from one of our curated lists
Jen’s Perspective Movie Lists

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 3 Comments

On August 4th, National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day gives us an opportunity to dunk American’s #1 favorite cookie. Whether yours are homemade or storebought, pour a glass of milk and enjoy.

Without chocolate chips, the cookie would still be number one. Or would it?

Nestle Toll House, Milk Chocolate Morsels, 23 oz by Nestle
Nestle Toll House, Milk Chocolate Morsels, 23 oz

by Nestle

For that reason, we also recognize Ruth Graves Wakefield on National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. Thanks to her inventiveness and curiosity, chocolate chips and a cookie dough go together. And for this reason, we hover around ovens savoring the moment the timer dings. Don’t forget World Chocolate Day too.

How the Chocolate Chip Cookie Began

Imagine if Ruth Graves Wakefield hadn’t run out of baker’s chocolate for her cookie recipe that day in 1937. Because that’s what happened. The cookie recipe she was preparing called for baker’s chocolate and would have blended smoothly into the dough. However, she was out. And what if Mrs. Wakefield hadn’t considered using semi-sweet chocolate instead? She figured it would just melt into the dough and work much like the baker’s chocolate.

Or, what if someone had interrupted Ruth Graves Wakefield that day and caused the cookies to burn and ruin the experiment?

Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips - 12 oz - 3 pk by Ghirardelli
Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – 12 oz – 3 pk

by Ghirardelli

Well, none of that happened. Instead of interruptions or doubts, the baker added the chocolate to the dough. Moments later the mouthwatering aroma began to waft from Mrs. Wakefield’s oven. Perhaps the smell lured a child into the kitchen. Or maybe a guest at the Tollhouse Inn she and her husband owned. We may not know the finer details of the day the chocolate chip cookie came to be. However, we do know Ruth Graves Wakefield made it happen.

Walkers White Chocolate & Raspberry Cookies - 5.3 oz by Walkers
Walkers White Chocolate & Raspberry Cookies – 5.3 oz

by Walkers

And if it weren’t for her, we wouldn’t know the ecstasy of warm chocolate chip cookie melting on our tongue. We know that feeling. When our eyes close in heavenly satisfaction and a perfect smile graces our face. No, if it weren’t for Ruth Graves Wakefield, entire generations would be denied the bliss that is a chocolate chip cookie.

KooK Glass Storage Canister, Clear Jar, With Clear Glass Lid- 1/2 Gallon (Set of 2) by KooK
KooK Glass Storage Canister, Clear Jar, With Clear Glass Lid- 1/2 Gallon (Set of 2)

by KooK

We could even go so far as to say she is responsible for all those other nuggets of goodness. Those morsels of butterscotch, peanut butter, and white chocolate we enjoy in much the same way we enjoy our chocolate delights.  Nothing, though, rates quite as high as the chocolate chip cookie Ruth Graves Wakefield brought to us in 1937. No, nothing.

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE #ChocolateChipDay

Make your favorite chocolate chip cookies and throw some extra chocolate chips into the mix! Give this recipe a try. Post on social media using #ChocolateChipCookieDay.

Jen’s Lazy Lasagna

Jensperspectiveblog 4 Comments

A new take on this classic comfort food allows for easy preparation and a fraction of the work. The Crockpot allows you to put dinner on before leaving for work, and still come home to a home cooked meal.

Crock Pot Slow Cooker|8 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Countdown Timer, Black Stainless Steel - SCCPVFC800-DS by Crock-Pot
Crock Pot Slow Cooker|8 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Countdown Timer, Black Stainless Steel – SCCPVFC800-DS

by Crock-Pot


I’ve made this with the same layering in the oven as well. Both are s great way to enjoy this favorite. The recipe can easy customized for dietary needs and you can also make a soup with the same ingredients.

Heavy-duty Crock Pot Liners BPA-free Made in the USA, 8 Count, Bags Fit 3-8 Quart Oval and Round Slow Cooker by Western Orange
My mom introduced me to using these. They make cleanup so easy…simply remove and toss. 
Heavy-duty Crock Pot Liners BPA-free Made in the USA, 8 Count, Bags Fit 3-8 Quart Oval and Round Slow Cooker

by Western Orange

Ingredients

1 lb fround beef
1 small onion diced
2 cloves minced garlic
1 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
Salt & Pepper to taste
Great Value tomato, basil, garlic sauce
(Only 1g sugar vs Prego 9g per serving)
Or
2cans Red Gold tomatoes diced italian
            (5g carbohydrates per serving)
2 packages frozen ravioli
Frozen drained spinach if desired
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

  • In large skillet or dutch oven brown minced beef
  • Drain excess fat
  • Add onion, garlic, Italian Seasoning, and pasta sauce or tomatoes
  • Salt and pepper if needed
  • In lined Crockpot layer Meat sauce cheese, ravioli
  • Repeat making about 3 layers
  • Top with more mozzarella and sprinkle with Parmesan if desired

Make ahead and go from freezer to dinner in about 40 minutes. Layer in foil pans a add to your freezer meal selection. (We put the directions in the lid so even my husband can make it)

Foil Pans with Lids - 9x13 Aluminum Pans with Covers - 25 Foil Pans and 25 Foil Lids - Disposable Food Containers Great for Baking, Cooking, Heating, Storing, Prepping Food by Stock Your Home
Foil Pans with Lids – 9×13 Aluminum Pans with Covers – 25 Foil Pans and 25 Foil Lids – Disposable Food Containers Great for Baking, Cooking, Heating, Storing, Prepping Food

by Stock Your Home

*Tips*

You can substitute cheese tortellini if you cannot find ravioli. Both work in Crockpot or oven.

Adding a vegetable like Spinach or Zucchini makes this a one pot easy meal. 

Of course a fresh salad goes great too.

For soup add tomato sauce. Be careful not to overcook your pasta or it will disintegrate.  Add pasta last and top bowl with cheese.