Let’s Talk about Food
This should not surprise anyone. Everyone who is a regular visitor here knows I’m a total foodie. I have the extra pounds to prove it. But as my birthday approaches (can you see how good I am at making sure NO ONE forgets my birthday?), I have to make up my mind about what I want to eat.
In my family we have a fabulous tradition of “the birthday dinner.” You get to pick your favorite food and my mother makes it (except when it’s her birthday, then I make it.) We’re talking dinner for 16 here–my parents, my three brothers, two wives, three nephews, three neices, my husband, myself and my daughter. This is no easy feat. But we pull it off…sometimes several times in one month. June is a great month. Me, my soon-to-be 15 year old nephew and my 10-year-old nephew. (And don’t forget Father’s Day…it’s the same as a birthday, except being this is Florida, we usually do a cook-out and my brothers actually cook.)
I always pick the same thing. Steak milanesa. This is, like me, a combination of Italian and Cuban. Very popular dish here in Tampa, where the ethnic population is a heavy mix of Italian & Cuban. It’s basically steak pounded relatively thin, breaded, fried, then simmered in a marinara sauce and topped with hard boiled egg and peas. It doesn’t “sound” so delish…but trust me, it’s amazing. 
The sides will be traditional yellow rice, black beans, plantanos (fried plaintains “maduros” style…which is when the plaintain is overripe, sweet and fried.) and a salad. Gotta have some healthy stuff somewhere. :/
My problem is dessert. I love dessert. Who doesn’t love dessert? (Okay, my husband, but I’d like to think he’s some weird anomaly…and I can usually get him with creme brulee.) But creme brulee is very hard to make, and you see, my mother doesn’t do desserts. (Except for my middle brother, who is a Christmas baby, so she makes him this Sicilian dessert with ricotta cheese and toasted almonds every year…yum.) But I digress.
Because my mother doesn’t bake, dessert falls to the spouse (or mother for the kids.) So whatever I pick must be able to be purchased. That leaves out creme brulee, my favorite (and Janelle’s!)
I saw a flan today at the bakery (spanish custard…close to creme brulee without the crusty top) which went well thematically with the meal, but I make a hell of a great flan, so I didn’t want to try the bakery’s version and then not like it. And since flan is a hell of a lot of work to make (requiring many Sour Apple martinis or Mango Margaritas shared between me and my sisters in law on Christmas Eve, the one time a year we make it), that’s out.
The only other desserts I like are the stuff no one else likes…and while it is my special day, it’s not much fun if after blowing out the candles, you’re the only one devouring the Key Lime or Lemon Meringue pie. I love Tiramisu (which I have to admit I thought was Japanese until I was in high school…no one in my Italian family EVER ate the stuff), but I’ve sworn off caffeine and well, the dessert is swimming with it.
My family tends to love chocolate. In fact, I made the chocolate cake for my nephew, because I’m the resident chocolate cake expert in the family and my SIL (his stepmother) was having an awful day at work and I volunteered to fill in. But we just had it. Another chocolate cake? I tried getting this delicious chocolate princess cake from my favorite Italian bakery last year (yes, Les, the one I try to always bring to your house when I visit!) but my family is used to my light, fluffy cake and this thick, rich chocolate bomb didn’t go over well.
So, I have no idea what to ask for. Bananas Foster? We do that on my SIL’s birthday. Sundae Bar? Did that for my oldest brother. Chocolate fondue? My nephew…whose birthday is only six days after mine always wants this…so I don’t want to steal his chocolate thunder.
Can’t do Red Velvet because said nephew is allergic to red dye. That also rules out my favorite Shasta cake, which is made with strawberry soda.
I’m leaning back toward the pies again. Lemon Meringue for me, French Silk for my chocolate-loving family. And the bakery nearby makes excellent versions of both.
Anyone have any other suggestions? What would you pick for your birthday? (And are you hungry yet?)
PECAN PIE?
Birthdays inyour family sound amazining, Julie!
Comment by Carly — June 21, 2006 @ 6:18 am
I know someone who makes the most mouth-watering German chocolate cake, though not everyone likes coconut.
Chocolate cherry cheesecake (or any cheesecake for that matter). I love carrot cake. SuperKMart used to make the most amazing chocolate cake with a light, airy frosting that tasted like chocolate mousse - yummy. Hope some of these inspire you….while I think about the healthy salad I’m taking to work and wishing it were made of sugar…
Comment by Stacy ~ — June 21, 2006 @ 7:07 am
I love my grandma’s strawberry jello cake. It’s so moist and sweet and just melts in my mouth. But the jello might have red dye.
Happy Birthday!
Comment by Jamie — June 21, 2006 @ 8:20 am
Now that I am salivating here…LOL. Pecan pie is a good suggestion. But if I had my choice I would have a Strawberry Shortcake. With the real strawberries and real whipped cream. YUM!! I know that doesn’t fit into your chocolate loving family though. So how about a Chocolate Cream Pie?
Happy Birthday Julie…I am sure whatever you decide will be just fine.
Comment by Kelly — June 21, 2006 @ 8:24 am
Being diabetic, we make a sugar free pie that’s to die for. Yeah, I hear the groans… yuck. It’s really good if you’re used to doing without “real” sweets.
I’d go with Stacey’s idea and do cheesecake. There are some really great samplers of cheesecake so that you can have a little of everything to keep everyone happy.
Here’s a pre-birthday hug from sunny SC. Oh, BTW my hubby celebrates his birthday all month, or at least all week. Remind them it’s too much of a special time to only have one day to be showered with love and gifts.
Comment by Madison — June 21, 2006 @ 8:39 am
Happy Birthday.
I love pineapple-upside down cake. My Husband likes German Chocolate Cake and I suffer through the coconut hell for him. Your family can deal with one birthday with no chocolate. It is your special day.
Comment by Patty — June 21, 2006 @ 8:50 am
Ice cream!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday
Comment by Barbara-Jo — June 21, 2006 @ 9:06 am
How about a Mississippi Mud cake. It is always a crowd pleaser
and easy! You can serve it with ice cold milk or heat up a square and top it with vanilla ice cream. I’m always the Belle of the gathering whenever I bring a MMC for dessert. (dog)
Comment by Gigi — June 21, 2006 @ 9:07 am
First off… Happy Birthday Julie!!!! Your family celebrations sound amazing! I’m with Kelly! How ’bout good ol fashioned strawberry shortcake? with fresh strawberries and whipped cream… or, how about Tres Leches, the Mexican cake made with three kinds of milk (evaporated, condensed and I don’t now the third). It’s yummy.. very moist! (^)
Comment by Susana — June 21, 2006 @ 9:31 am
Happy Birthday (^) (f) (f) (f) I like the Ice Cream cake, if you’re family does the Ice Cream as well. Pineapple Upside Down cake is really good too
I have a great recipe for a Texas Fudge Cake (chocolate cake that has been poked with holes when it first comes out and then fudge poured over top of that while still hot) It is really great.
I love your family’s celebrations…
Comment by Vicki — June 21, 2006 @ 9:43 am
Well there is always the Boston Cream Cake- a little bit of chocolate, but there is also the cream filling. There is also the Jello-Mold, but only if you have two days to make it (With the layer and adding the fruit)
Comment by Jen Hall — June 21, 2006 @ 10:02 am
Happy Birthday Julie. Meals sound fantastic for your family get togethers. As for dessert my suggestion would be Black Forest Cake - It has chocolate cake, filling between layers with whipped cream, cherries, and chocolate flakes on topping ……….
Comment by Cryna — June 21, 2006 @ 10:35 am
Happy Birthday, Julie!!!! I’d go for a box of Godiva to be divided up among everyone, but I’m hard core when it comes to chocolate. We do dessert night at our house where I buy four different kinds of ice cream, all sorts of toppings, cookies and candies, and we make sundaes. The kids love it because they get to make it themselves and do it like they want. I’m not a huge ice cream fan, but I can definitely get a buzz from a quart of Ben & Jerry’s. My husband even likes it. You can’t put a birthday candle in it, but it’s lots of fun. We even use those old fashioned soda glasses.
Hope this helps!
Kim
Comment by Kimberly Raye — June 21, 2006 @ 10:35 am
There’s pie people. And there’s cake people.
The thing ya gotta decide is…Are you a pie person? Or a cake person?
(picture that said in a gravelly movie star voice…lol!)
I am a pie person. Fresh peach pie, warm, with vanilla ice cream. Julie, have you ever had my peach pie? Oh, my. Someday, my dear, but it must be soon because peaches are just about perfect for pie, which is why I only ever make it in July-August.
Happy birthday darling.
Les
Comment by Leslie Kelly — June 21, 2006 @ 10:46 am
Ok, Julie
Since we’re both in Tampa, Village Inn makes the best pies!!!! For me it definitely the Peanut Butter Pie! You get the best of both worlds, Sweet peanut butter, and chocolate, with whip cream on top and caramel and chocolate drizzled on top!
Is it lunch yet!
or better yet Wrights Gourmet makes the best cakes!
***********************
on a different note,
Leslie, Julie and Kimberly,
I finished the boys of Summer last night! One work “WOW” !!!!!!!!!
you guys are the best!!!!
Thanks again
Tricia
Comment by TRICIA — June 21, 2006 @ 10:59 am
Happy Birthday, Leslie (^) (^) (^) Okay, that Texas Fudge Cake sounds to die for…I am needing that recipe…I’ve never met a Godiva that I haven’t liked (yes, even the truly yukky ones that I wouldn’t normally touch, I love)….for me, it is Larsen’s Danish Bakery’s (see, I am from the Northwest, even though I am Norwegian, we love the Danish bakers…
chocolate cake with mocha filling and chocolate frosting. Normally, I wouldn’t do it, but YUM!!!! I just had it for my mom’s birthday last weekend….I don’t live near their bakery anymore, but when I get the chance to have their cake, I am all over it.
I love pecan pie, but after reading Leslie’s books, not so sure I will look at a pecan pie the same way, again (y)
I also love fresh strawberry sugar free pie (I know, there is a dichotomy there). Okay, I think I need to get something in my stomach now….have a great Wednesday!
Comment by katie — June 21, 2006 @ 11:36 am
Oh, yum, Julie. I want to come over for one of your birthday dinners!
Yes, Julie is the “foodie” of our group. In fact, she’s in charge of finding restaurants for us to go to during our conferences and plotting weekends. And I do have to admit, that while the city of New Orleans wasn’t my favorite place, it had some awesome, awesome food!
Julie knows me well — Creme Brulee is my absolute favorite. I love it!
Comment by Janelle — June 21, 2006 @ 11:37 am
Unfortunately, I dont know how to help on this suggestion…I am a chocoholic and I admit it freely(forget the 12 step program!!). However, when my friend was trying to pick a wedding cake, the bakery made up a box that had like 50 pieces of different cakes in it…and low and behold one of them was a lemon chiffon cake :d Have a wonderful Birthday and good luck on the dessert issue…. (^) (d)
Comment by Sheryl — June 21, 2006 @ 12:24 pm
I completely forgot about Wrights Gourmet Deli. Oh Julie, they do make the very best cakes…yummy…and the martini sandwiche isn’t bad either :p I’d say if you can’t decide on any one type of cake or place to get it than go to Wrights… (*) (*) (*) (*) (*) that’s correct everyone, if you’ve never had Wrights they are 5 stars all they way.
Comment by Vicki — June 21, 2006 @ 12:46 pm
Ooooh! All the suggestions! Good thing I had lunch before reading all of them! LOL Vicki and Trish on Wrights. I totally forget about them…it’s so South Tampa
. (In Tampa there are two distinct worlds…North Tampa, where I live and South Tampa, where all the snooty rich people live.) No, I’m kidding. My aunt lives in SoTampa and in fact, is only a few blocks from Wrights. I think tomorrow, after my SIL and I lunch at International, we’ll head down to Wrights and pick something up. Their chocolate cake is … oh, indescribable. We ordered it for a bridal shower once. There wasn’t any left!
If not, I will do the pies. And Trish is right about Village Inn. There’s one not too far from me, too.
Keep the suggestions coming! (^)
Comment by Julie — June 21, 2006 @ 1:00 pm
Have a wonderefu birthday Julie (g) (^)
We have to have ice cream cake for our birthdays
Comment by Cherylann — June 21, 2006 @ 1:26 pm
OMG, I am so hungry now.
I can’t add anything to the comments already here. All sound wonderful.
Comment by mary beth — June 21, 2006 @ 1:53 pm
Hey Happy Birthday Julie!
(^)
How about Chocolate Mousse in some form (pie, cake, alone)? It’s chocolate and it’s sorta light but rich in taste. I’m very hungry now!
BTW - I just picked up my copy of “A Fare to Remember” today at the bookstore! Can’t wait to start it.
Comment by Carolyn A. — June 21, 2006 @ 2:08 pm
(^) (^) (^) Happy Birthday Julie! I miss you tons, stop by the board when you can. OK - my suggestion for a yummy b-day cake - Either Carrot cake, or Better than sex cake! I’ll get the receipe for the Better than sex cake if you are interested. Oh, and on Pampered Chef website, they have a really yummy and easy receipe for the Pineapple Upside Down cake. We just made it for Father’s day!
Well I do hope all is well, and please please, keep in touch!
Suezette
Comment by Suezette — June 21, 2006 @ 3:24 pm
My vote would be for fresh, homemade Strawberry shortcake or the cheesecake would be great. I love cheesecake & I love chocolate. Good thing I have some Ben & Jerry in the freezer!!
Happy Birthday Julie–I’m sorry to say I don’t know the date. (^) (l)
When my oldest daughter turned 21 we had a special family dinner with her boyfriends family–he is now her husband! Anyway, for dessert I made a Banana Split Cake–it was so good & looked just like the picture in the book! Because the cake had a filling I made it in stages & I did it in 2 days. No, it did not take 2 days to make, it was just easier to do it that way. Her birthday is December 28 & we had a full turkey dinner!! Yumm!!
Comment by Donna M — June 21, 2006 @ 3:38 pm
P. S. I am so hungry after reading all of this! What is a martini sandwich? I am not a lover of martini’s but the sandwich sounds interesting.
Comment by Donna M — June 21, 2006 @ 3:39 pm
My birthday falls around Thanksgiving, so I always get Pumpkin Cheesecake. YUM!
Comment by Estella Kissell — June 21, 2006 @ 3:46 pm
Happy Birthday To Julie!!! My Mom use to make this cake called
Watergate Cake. Anybody ever hear of it?? It’s made with yellow
cake mix, club soda, nuts and pistachio pudding. It’s SO GOOD!!
Comment by Tina — June 21, 2006 @ 3:47 pm
I would have to say a chocolate chip cheesecake, which is my favorite or a cheesecake of any kind. Happy Birthday!!!! (g)
Comment by Mary — June 21, 2006 @ 5:04 pm
Happy Birthday!!! My vote would be for New York cheescake with Cherries or Strawberries on top or Terrimitsu (sp)….don’t know how to spell it but I really love it.
Comment by Barbara — June 21, 2006 @ 6:48 pm
Happy Bday.
You too have me salivating. I love to eat. And I especially love my desserts - Chocolate, cheesecake from the Cheescake Factory, Italian pastry, good napoleans, choc cream or banana cream pie, fruit pies and tortes. You name it. Hate Lemon Merinque pie tho. Love Rasp filled donuts.
Comment by Pat — June 21, 2006 @ 9:52 pm
I’m also a Tampa res, so I’ll have to try Wrights for cakes. If you go with ice cream cake, try Publix (yes, that’s right). Only thing I go there for is the ice cream cake, which is ice cream between two layers of cake, with whipped or buttercream frosting, not the usual ice cream cake. Yummy!
Other suggestions: pie (apple), cobbler (peach), or cake (Hummingbird — the best!)
Patricia W
Comment by Patricia — June 21, 2006 @ 10:43 pm
This is getting scary Julie. You’re short, you have annoying Very Tall brothers, and you wear glasses.
And you’re a foodie like me!
Is flan really that difficult to make? I mean, I know it’s a custard, but maybe your flan is different from my (planned) flan.
I’m planning my own birthday cake, so I do have some ideas.
I’m going all out this year–because next year I probably won’t have time for birthdays. So it’s Dacquoise (nut meringue) and buttercream or ganache.
What you can do is go to your bakery and ask them what kind of layers (cake–if you want light, genoise would be the way to go) and fillings (like buttercream or ganache) they have, and then come up with something together.
Comment by May — June 22, 2006 @ 4:48 am