Monday, December 12, 2011

Treat of the Week: My Thirty-Eighth Birthday Dinner



On December 12, 1911, King George V and Queen Mary were crowned Emperor and Empress of India. Sixty-two years later, on December 12, 1973, I was born, it seems, so someone would write about King George V and Mary of Teck.


Though my birthday is technically today, we celebrated yesterday with a wonderful meal and a stunning cake from my mother’s kitchen.

My mother created a recipe that she knew I would love for dinner—chicken breasts in cream with white beans, shallots and leeks. It was gorgeous and I ate far more than I should. This was served with broccoli, herbed pasta and brown bread (Queen Mary’s favorite).



As much as I loved the dinner—and I really did—for me, a birthday is all about the cake. And, as you all know, my mother’s cakes never disappoint. This year’s is a real stunner! And, it also has matching cupcakes.



Iced with Swiss meringue butter-cream infused with strawberry jam, a homemade strawberry cake has been layered with fresh chocolate ganache and a filling of wild strawberries in alternating layers. Atop the cake is a fleur-de-lis in chocolate ganache which—and I don’t know how she manages this because ganache is soft—my mother cut independently from her her own ganache and applied to the cake. It has been piped with dots and rosettes and it’s just the most perfect cake. I’ve dreamed of this cake for the last year. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a fondness for strawberry. The fact that there’s an ever-present mug of strawberry candy (a Queen Elizabeth II Coronation mug, no less) on my desk is testimony to that. So, this cake couldn’t have been more perfect.

In fact, I think I’ll go have a piece now. We had a lovely day and I’m looking forward to a great year with my family, the Bertie Dog and all of you!












24 comments:

Shawn said...

Happy Birthday! What a wonderful way to celebrate such an important occasion! Your Mom created a beautiful meal and a gorgeous cake. What a fantastic day you had!

Carolyn said...

Happy Birthday, dumpling! What a lovely meal for a lovely man!

P.S. Gimme some of that cake,

Matt said...

Everything looks really delicious. You deserve the best! Happy birthday, buddy!

Book Gurl said...

What a great looking dinner and the cake is really beautiful. I want that for my birthday. All the best!!!!!!

April said...

Happy Bday to the cutest, old-stuff collecting, Anglophile, puppet-lover in the world. I would tots steal that cake from you if I wasn't a million miles away. Your mom is a genius superstar! May the coming year be filled with all kinds of puppet weirdness and visits from Queen Mary's ghost and whatever else you like.

Barry said...

Cheers and many happy returns.

Scott said...

Happy Birthday!

Mark said...

Many happy returns to our American colleague!

Kathy said...

Happy Birthday, Joseph.

Sam P said...

Happy birthday! That cake is awesommmmme!

Anonymous said...

Totally drooling. Happy Birthday.

Gene said...

I never in my life had a cake that pretty for my birthday.  You're a lucky man.  Happy birthday.

Fran said...

Aw, that's such a gorgeous dinner.  I bet you can hear my stomach from there.  A very happy birthday to you, kid.  Now we are the same age.....ha, I wish.  Seriously you don't look 38.  Either it's good photoshop or you're like Dorian Gray.  Whatever you're doing keep it up, gorgeous.  Maybe it's all the cake that keeps your skin good.  
 
Luv ya bunches.  Luv the cake more.  XOXOXO

Susan said...

Many blessings on your birthday.

Jay said...

Happy Bday Man

Anonymous said...

Fantastic cake like a dream. Have a great day.

Jen said...

HBD!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!

Jason said...

A beautiful birthday to you, Joseph

Maggie said...

Happy Birthday!

Dashwood said...

A very happy birthday. All kinds of good wishes for the coming year,

Tim said...

Happy day, hope it's special!

CDVC said...

Cheers, mate! Nice feast, glad you've had a good time.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Thank you, everybody!