Hamilton Herald Masthead

Editorial


Front Page - Friday, May 6, 2011

Kay's Cooking Corner


Chocolate Cake in a Cup



As I was musing over what to write about today, it occurred to me that I haven’t done a food quiz in a while, so what better time than now? Hope you enjoy it!

1. Which bird is force-fed four times its size and eaten au naturel by the French? Ortolan; dove; magpie; minuet

2. In Nova Scotia in 1811, James Mease published the first recipe for tomato ketchup. What was it called? Pommes d’or ketchup; Apple of Paradise ketchup; Love apple ketchup; Red Tomato ketchup

3. Which U.S. president installed the first cooking stove in the White House? Thomas Jefferson; Theodore Roosevelt; Abraham Lincoln; Millard Fillmore

4. How many pounds of chocolate does Nabisco use in their “Chips Ahoy” cookies every year? 7 million; 57 million; 37 million; 17 million.

5. You can tell the weather by the bubbles in your freshly poured coffee. True; False

6. What year did the product appear that is now known as RC Cola? 1862; 1940; 1925; 1905

7. U.S. Army K-rations have included: Graham biscuits, canned meat, sugar, coffee, and which of these: Chocolate; Escargot; Dried apples; Canned spinach

8. In the UK potato chips are called: Chips; Crisps; Crackers; Taters

9. Where were tortilla chips invented? Mexico City; Santiago; Bogota; Los Angeles

10. How much water can you save each month by running your dishwasher only when it’s full? 4,000 gallons; 400 gallons; 55 gallons, 4.2 gallons?

11. How many Coca-Colas will be consumed worldwide during the next hour: 2 million; 17 million; 27 million; 37 million?

12. Americans talk about healthy food, but still consume junk. In the past 20 years, consumption of which food or drink has risen most: beer; snack foods; soft drinks?

13. If your blended tea lists horse nettle as an ingredient, should you drink it: in the early morning; in the afternoon; before bedtime?

ANSWERS:

1. Ortolan

2. Love Apple Ketchup

3. Millard Fillmore

4. 37 million

5. Before adding milk. If the bubbles float towards the rim of the cup, the air pressure is low and there is stormy or cloudy weather expected. If the bubbles float towards the center, the air pressure is high and there is fair weather expected.

6. 1905. The beverage originated in Columbus, Ga., where a pharmacist invented it to sell in his family’s grocery store.

7. Chocolate

8. Crisps

9. Los Angeles

10. 400 gallons

11. About 27-million, or over 600-million per day.

12. According to the U. S. Department of Agriculture, snack foods are up 233 percent; soft drinks are up 114 percent, and beer is up 100 percent.

13. Before bedtime. Horse nettle, from the South American nightshade plant, has sedative powers.

Now for the recipe. I received an email from a friend who lives in Texas, and she had attached this chocolate cake recipe, which I tried. Although it probably isn’t the most decadent tasting chocolate cake you have ever had, it does work in a pinch, and boy is it fast! Also, the ingredients are usually something you have on hand at all times!

I taped this recipe inside my pantry door so that I have it ASAP!

5-minute Chocolate Cake

4 tablespoons flour

4 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa

1 egg

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons oil

3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)

A splash of vanilla extract

1 large coffee mug (Micro-Safe)

Add dry ingredients to mug; mix well. Add egg and stir. Add milk and oil, chocolate chips and vanilla; stir.

Place in microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug. Allow to cool, and empty onto plate.