Keep Up With What Is Ready Now With Facebook!

Image by JasonTromm via Flickr

It has been a struggle finding a system that will allow us to touch base with our customers to let them know what we have on hand as it changes so often. Another problem is that we don’t have outside workers- it’s just us, so coming inside to call our favorite customers is hard to do.

What to do? Come to find out, the solution has been staring us in the face this whole time. We already use facebook to keep in touch with close family and friends. They also have a great feature where you can list your business as well.

Now all you have to do to get updated is “like” us on our facebook page:

Clerici Chicken Ranch

For our part, we will post information about what is growing, what is ready to pick, whether eggs or fresh chicken is available and whatever else you may find useful!

But, we still love having you stop by the ranch- just don’t forget to close the gate so the dogs don’t get out and get hurt!

St Paddys Day Chocolate Orange Guinness Bundt Cake

Image via Wikipedia

We love chocolate. We love chocolate cake. I try to vary the recipes a little so no one gets bored with the same old thing (except that means more for me!).

Some ingredients actually enhance the taste of chocolate- and beer is one of them.

Try this easy to make cake to wow everyone with your dessert skills!

Chocolate Orange Guinness Bundt Cake

1 cup stout beer (such as Guinness)

1 cup unsalted butter

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-process)

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

zest of one orange

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

3/4 cup evaporated milk or heavy cream

3/4 teaspoon instant coffee granules

Preheat oven to 350°F Butter or spray a bundt pan. Bring the stout and butter to simmer in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add cocoa powder and whisk until mixture is smooth. Cool slightly.

Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, and ¾ teaspoon salt in large bowl to blend.

Using electric mixer, beat eggs and milk or cream in another large bowl.  Add stout-chocolate mixture to egg mixture and beat just to combine.

Add flour mixture and beat briefly on slow speed. Remove the bowl from the mixer stand and using a rubber spatula, fold batter until combined.

Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Cool cake in pan 10 minutes to set and then turn the cake out onto rack and cool completely.

Optional Orange Icing Recipe:

• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1-3/4 cups powdered sugar
• juice of 1 orange

Cream butter and sugar.
Blend in orange juice and whisk until well combined.
Place the icing in an icing bag or a baggie with one corner cut and squeeze over the top of the cake.

Serves 12

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Yummm….Waffles for breakfast

What do you do when you run an impromptu bed and breakfast right in the middle of Napa?

Yes, you gather up some good recipes. I have made a lot of pancakes and waffles through the years and have got them to where they are just right.

Three of the biggest things:

1. Use buttermilk (or add lemon juice or vinegar to the milk)

2. Just barely stir the batter so the cakes stay fluffy not tough (this requires some bravery)

3. Don’t overcook!

OK- Here is the link to my recipe for both pancakes and waffles- enjoy!