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Catherine's Kitchen

Catherine Manning

This year is rushing by, it's February already and that is not comfortable for me, as time is flying too fast and no grandchildren yet. My daughters are really pushing my birthday in September and I'm freaking out, as number one I don't celebrate birthdays and number two, I don't want to celebrate this one!!

What can I do, beg, cajole, beg, cajole and I get nowhere! I'm still sharing my sister's three grandsons and I'm glad that they still want to come and see me. They've just moved to the west coast, so instead of being practically next door to me, they are next door to their grandparents so that is more difficult for me.

BUT, the boys are actually asking to visit me and the dogs and the turtles. They are only small, 4, 2 and 1, so at least they haven't forgotten 'Faraway' or me for that matter! They have a habit of phoning and saying 'Auntie Cat, can I come and see you?' and I say 'yes' but you have to get Mum to bring you and Mum says 'yes, but it's so 'faraway now'! All of half hour!

Anyway, I have 'Mum' on the phone everyday asking how to cook something, seems my sister doesn't know how and she's gone on a South American cruise and is now off Cape Horn freezing her butt off, but having a good time!

My nephew's wedding last Saturday went well, though I left early as I had only one hour's sleep the night before and had to get up at 4.30 am. so I was tired. The bride and groom were found in the pool at 2.30 am in their wedding clothes, very happy! Graham made a brilliant speech, didn't know he had it in him, but not even the bride's father could match him!

Actually, it was a nice wedding but too many people, about 450 and I got tired of mingling or looking for people to mingle with, so left early. The church ceremony was nice and simple, even though I nearly broke my neck getting there in time, as the traffic was awful and it was the at the Catholic Cathedral in the middle of Bridgetown. I ran into the church just ahead of Melissa! She didn't hobble up the aisle, but my sister-in-law had to wear slippers!

The reception was very nice, food was good too, though I left before the buffet. Had a good sleep after e-mailing my sister in Canada to give her the details.

The next wedding is March 15th and that is my best friends daughter, Neysha Soodeen, Editor-in-chief of MACO magazine in Trinidad. Neysha has been my 'outside' daughter from the time she was six years old. She has been through bad times and good times. She has battled with health problems and beat them and has made a great success of her life. She was involved with Island Life magazine and then decided to go on her own. MACO evolved and what a success that is! I wish her all the best. More news on that wedding in April's column. It's being held at sunset on the beach at Daphne's on the west coast and knowing Neysha, it will be spectacular!

Now, I have to get this late column to Margaret, as usual time is flying and sometimes I wonder how I'm not as well. I thought the older you got, the slower you could get, but that is not the case as the older I get, the faster I have to move! Not sure what the moral is here, but...better get a move on.

Am sure everyone has their favourite carrot cake recipe, but this is a good one as it's very moist and rich. As with all carrot cakes, it takes a little time to prepare.
 

CARROT CAKE 2 cups sifted all purpose flour 4 large eggs 2 tsp. baking soda 1 cup corn oil 3 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 cup granulated sugar 1 tsp. baking powder 1 cup brown sugar 1 tsp. salt 1 lb. finely grated carrots (I use the processor) 1 8-ounce can pineapple in syrup or juice, drained 2 Tbs rum or brandy 2 tsp. vanilla 2 tsp. grated orange rind 1 cup pecans toasted 3/4 cup raisins Preheat oven to 350F. Butter and flour 12 cup Bundt tin. Blend flour, baking soda, cinnamon, baking powder and salt in bowl. Whisk eggs, oil and sugar well in large bowl. Mix carrots, pineapple, rum, vanilla and orange peel into egg mixture and add raisins and pecans. Blend in dry ingredients. Bake about 1 hour till tester comes out clean. Cool in pan for 15 minutes and then turn cake over on rack and cool completely. Remove from pan and frost. I loosen the cake gently with a knife to stop it sticking to the pan. Cream Cheese Frosting   12 oz. cream cheese 4 oz. unsalted butter 2 cups powdered sugar Orange juice. (1/4 cup) Combine cream cheese, butter and beat till blended, add sugar and beat till smooth, adding orange juice bit by bit till frosting is spread able but not loose. Frost cake and chill.

Bon Appetit
Cath