HAPPY BIRTHDAY YUM!

My partner and I celebrate the same birthday,  August 23rd.  Last year he turned sixty and now it is my turn.  We met because of our birthday and for along time it was fun.  Now I'm not so sure.  It is great if we go away for the day but if we are at home who does the dishes etc.   Otherwise we seem to have a different attitude about getting older.  He is much more upbeat!  But sharing the same birthday, with the thought of horoscopes, is interesting.  We are born on the cusp of  Leo and Virgo.  I know that the time of day, moon, and sun all have an influence but it does make me wonder.  In the Chinese ideology he is a Tiger and I am a Rabbit.  People put tons of energy in these belief systems and I don't see that much similar between us.  But… when I was a little girl I used to go Sand City, a beach on Long Island.  The tip of the beach faced Connecticut, where Mark lived as a child, and I used to think that one day I would meet someone from there.  So ESP not Astrology?  Who knows!

Here is the recipe for my delicious birthday cake, compliments of JOY OF COOKING  with special ingredients of my own!  Happy Birthday August Babies!  And PS the comet is passing over now so enjoy the falling stars!  Best to watch after the moon has set.  August 11 thru August 13th.

FOUR EGG CAKE

2 2/3 cups organic pastry flour
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

sift these ingredients together

Cream until soft:
1 cup organic butter
add 2 cups organic sugar
cream until smooth
Add one at a time
 4 egg yolks
Add:
1 1/2 almond extract

Ready to mix.  Alternate flour mixture with butter mixture and one cup organic almond milk in three parts.

Whip four egg whites then add to mixture.  Add1 cup shredded coconut. 

Bake in greased pan for 30 to 35 minutes.  Cool on rack then add icing.

YUM!  Note never over mix.  Experiment, use coconut milk  or whole milk in place of almond milk.  Use vanilla instead of almond extract.

EUROPEAN CHOCOLATE ICING:

Prepare icing in double boiler

Melt:
1 tablespoon organic butter
4oz semisweet chocolate
add 6 tablespoons organic whipping cream

sift then add 1 1/2 confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract

Spread while warm and sprinkle with coconut flakes.

Add cut strawberries, candles and sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY!