chris
Chris' Cinco DeMayo loveliness. You really must read the whole thing, it's as amusing as it was delicious!
Date: 09/07/2007
(Chris' Cinco DeMayo loveliness.)
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I originally got the idea for making a "meat cake" from my friend Dallas who pointed me to a website that details the steps required to make such a delicacy.
Date: 09/10/2007
I originally got the idea for making a "meat cake" from my friend Dallas who pointed me to a website that details the steps required to make such a delicacy.
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Four of these six pans will end up giving their lives for the taco cake. Which two will survive?
(My vote's against the top one. It looks a little sickly.) Date: 09/10/2007 Four of these six pans will end up giving their lives for the taco cake. Which two will survive?
(My vote's against the top one. It looks a little sickly.)
(My vote's against the top one. It looks a little sickly.) Date: 09/10/2007 Four of these six pans will end up giving their lives for the taco cake. Which two will survive?
(My vote's against the top one. It looks a little sickly.)
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The cast of characters required to make a Cinco De Mayo Meat Cake [aka "Taco Cake"]
(I love this shot. It's like the happy 'before' image of a family reunion, before Grandpa smacked your sister over the head with his cane and your aunt announ Date: 09/10/2007 The cast of characters required to make a Cinco De Mayo Meat Cake [aka "Taco Cake"]
(I love this shot. It's like the happy 'before' image of a family reunion, before Grandpa smacked your sister over the head with his cane and your aunt announced she was shaving her head and moving to Tibet at the dinner table)
(I love this shot. It's like the happy 'before' image of a family reunion, before Grandpa smacked your sister over the head with his cane and your aunt announ Date: 09/10/2007 The cast of characters required to make a Cinco De Mayo Meat Cake [aka "Taco Cake"]
(I love this shot. It's like the happy 'before' image of a family reunion, before Grandpa smacked your sister over the head with his cane and your aunt announced she was shaving her head and moving to Tibet at the dinner table)
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Defrosting six pounds of ground beef requires...
Date: 09/10/2007 Defrosting six pounds of ground beef requires...
Date: 09/10/2007 Defrosting six pounds of ground beef requires...
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..two microwaves.
(I thought my three pounder was out of control. clearly, I am an amateur at the Meatcake Heavyweight Championships) Date: 09/10/2007 ..two microwaves.
(I thought my three pounder was out of control. clearly, I am an amateur at the Meatcake Heavyweight Championships)
(I thought my three pounder was out of control. clearly, I am an amateur at the Meatcake Heavyweight Championships) Date: 09/10/2007 ..two microwaves.
(I thought my three pounder was out of control. clearly, I am an amateur at the Meatcake Heavyweight Championships)
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Voila. Frosting.
(I wish real frosting were this easy) Date: 09/10/2007 Voila. Frosting.
(I wish real frosting were this easy)
(I wish real frosting were this easy) Date: 09/10/2007 Voila. Frosting.
(I wish real frosting were this easy)
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We join forces to become Mexican-style meatloaf cake layers.
(Best caption ever, Chris.) Date: 09/10/2007 We join forces to become Mexican-style meatloaf cake layers.
(Best caption ever, Chris.)
(Best caption ever, Chris.) Date: 09/10/2007 We join forces to become Mexican-style meatloaf cake layers.
(Best caption ever, Chris.)
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Yep, there's salsa in this meatloaf.
(Salsa makes everything more awesome.) Date: 09/10/2007 Yep, there's salsa in this meatloaf.
(Salsa makes everything more awesome.)
(Salsa makes everything more awesome.) Date: 09/10/2007 Yep, there's salsa in this meatloaf.
(Salsa makes everything more awesome.)
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Four pans... four meatloafs... four layers.
(But which ones lost, Chris? Huh?? What happened to the other two?) Date: 09/10/2007 Four pans... four meatloafs... four layers.
(But which ones lost, Chris? Huh?? What happened to the other two?)
(But which ones lost, Chris? Huh?? What happened to the other two?) Date: 09/10/2007 Four pans... four meatloafs... four layers.
(But which ones lost, Chris? Huh?? What happened to the other two?)
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Note the sporadic corn chunks.
("yes, note the corn chunks," someone commented in his Picasa gallery, "youll be seeing them again later." Clearly, that person has no taste.) Date: 09/10/2007 Note the sporadic corn chunks.
("yes, note the corn chunks," someone commented in his Picasa gallery, "youll be seeing them again later." Clearly, that person has no taste.)
("yes, note the corn chunks," someone commented in his Picasa gallery, "youll be seeing them again later." Clearly, that person has no taste.) Date: 09/10/2007 Note the sporadic corn chunks.
("yes, note the corn chunks," someone commented in his Picasa gallery, "youll be seeing them again later." Clearly, that person has no taste.)
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Getting there...
(smart boy for putting the broiler pan under there for the grease catching.) Date: 09/10/2007 Getting there...
(smart boy for putting the broiler pan under there for the grease catching.)
(smart boy for putting the broiler pan under there for the grease catching.) Date: 09/10/2007 Getting there...
(smart boy for putting the broiler pan under there for the grease catching.)
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The Tostitos showed up as a late addition to the taco cake concept... I'm not sure how they'll play into the equation during consumption tomorrow.
Date: 09/10/2007 The Tostitos showed up as a late addition to the taco cake concept... I'm not sure how they'll play into the equation during consumption tomorrow.
Date: 09/10/2007 The Tostitos showed up as a late addition to the taco cake concept... I'm not sure how they'll play into the equation during consumption tomorrow.
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I don't think I ever actually used the Worcestershire Sauce... but the original meat cake called for it [as well as a ketchup/brown sugar glaze... I didn't think that jived with the Mexican theme].
(Prolly a good call, Chris) Date: 09/10/2007 I don't think I ever actually used the Worcestershire Sauce... but the original meat cake called for it [as well as a ketchup/brown sugar glaze... I didn't think that jived with the Mexican theme].
(Prolly a good call, Chris)
(Prolly a good call, Chris) Date: 09/10/2007 I don't think I ever actually used the Worcestershire Sauce... but the original meat cake called for it [as well as a ketchup/brown sugar glaze... I didn't think that jived with the Mexican theme].
(Prolly a good call, Chris)
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Clearly this is a Weight Watchers recommended meal.
Date: 09/10/2007
Clearly this is a Weight Watchers recommended meal.
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You have served well, young cake tins.
Date: 09/10/2007
You have served well, young cake tins.
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This is what the bottom of meat cake layers look like -- they're flat and stack easily on each other.
Date: 09/10/2007
This is what the bottom of meat cake layers look like -- they're flat and stack easily on each other.
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The tops aren't so flat... gotta do something about that.
Date: 09/10/2007
The tops aren't so flat... gotta do something about that.
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Fork included for size comparison.
(that's a lot of meat.) Date: 09/10/2007 Fork included for size comparison.
(that's a lot of meat.)
(that's a lot of meat.) Date: 09/10/2007 Fork included for size comparison.
(that's a lot of meat.)
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"Flattening" the layers
(this is the best bit! Snacky time!) Date: 09/10/2007 "Flattening" the layers
(this is the best bit! Snacky time!)
(this is the best bit! Snacky time!) Date: 09/10/2007 "Flattening" the layers
(this is the best bit! Snacky time!)
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What's going on here?
("This means something. This is important!") Date: 09/10/2007 What's going on here?
("This means something. This is important!")
("This means something. This is important!") Date: 09/10/2007 What's going on here?
("This means something. This is important!")
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Ah, a mashed potato base to prevent sliding. Genius.
(Genius indeed, Chris! You are a clever monkey!) Date: 09/10/2007 Ah, a mashed potato base to prevent sliding. Genius.
(Genius indeed, Chris! You are a clever monkey!)
(Genius indeed, Chris! You are a clever monkey!) Date: 09/10/2007 Ah, a mashed potato base to prevent sliding. Genius.
(Genius indeed, Chris! You are a clever monkey!)
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The next ten photos don't really need an explanation... but here's the short version: put "stuff" (cheese, jalapeño peppers, refried beans, salsa) in between stacked layers of meat.
(Like seven layer dip, but with meat and awesome!) Date: 09/10/2007 The next ten photos don't really need an explanation... but here's the short version: put "stuff" (cheese, jalapeño peppers, refried beans, salsa) in between stacked layers of meat.
(Like seven layer dip, but with meat and awesome!)
(Like seven layer dip, but with meat and awesome!) Date: 09/10/2007 The next ten photos don't really need an explanation... but here's the short version: put "stuff" (cheese, jalapeño peppers, refried beans, salsa) in between stacked layers of meat.
(Like seven layer dip, but with meat and awesome!)
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Jalapeños were a late addition also... I hope you like spicy.
Date: 09/10/2007
Jalapeños were a late addition also... I hope you like spicy.
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For the first "connecting" layer, I decided to melt the cheese, thinking that the layers between would be less likely to slide. [Yes, this is a very scientific process.]
Date: 09/10/2007
For the first "connecting" layer, I decided to melt the cheese, thinking that the layers between would be less likely to slide. [Yes, this is a very scientific process.]
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(I would have had a hard time completing the cake at this point. I'd just grab a fork and call it dinner)
Date: 09/10/2007
(I would have had a hard time completing the cake at this point. I'd just grab a fork and call it dinner)
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(This stuff's made in New York City!)
Date: 09/10/2007
(This stuff's made in New York City!)
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As the layers pile higher, the lower levels start oozing refried beans -- very appetizing. I'll end up using the overflow to fill the gaps around the edges.
Date: 09/10/2007
As the layers pile higher, the lower levels start oozing refried beans -- very appetizing. I'll end up using the overflow to fill the gaps around the edges.
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If you take a moment to process the ridiculousness of what you're looking at here, the only thing to do is laugh.
(and grab a fork.) Date: 09/10/2007 If you take a moment to process the ridiculousness of what you're looking at here, the only thing to do is laugh.
(and grab a fork.)
(and grab a fork.) Date: 09/10/2007 If you take a moment to process the ridiculousness of what you're looking at here, the only thing to do is laugh.
(and grab a fork.)
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The final "stack" leaned a bit, so I did my best to straighten it out before icing it.
Date: 09/10/2007
The final "stack" leaned a bit, so I did my best to straighten it out before icing it.
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I know it's probably not something you worry about, but for future reference: spreading warm mashed potatoes over runny refried bean-covered meatloaf isn't easy if you don't want the mess to reach the outside or the color to show through. Go slowly.
( Date: 09/10/2007 I know it's probably not something you worry about, but for future reference: spreading warm mashed potatoes over runny refried bean-covered meatloaf isn't easy if you don't want the mess to reach the outside or the color to show through. Go slowly.
(Excellent advice. You guys get that down?)
( Date: 09/10/2007 I know it's probably not something you worry about, but for future reference: spreading warm mashed potatoes over runny refried bean-covered meatloaf isn't easy if you don't want the mess to reach the outside or the color to show through. Go slowly.
(Excellent advice. You guys get that down?)
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I was so worried that I wasn't going to have enough potatoes...
Date: 09/10/2007
I was so worried that I wasn't going to have enough potatoes...
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The finely grated cheese will be used at the end.
Date: 09/10/2007
The finely grated cheese will be used at the end.
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FYI, 12 servings of mashed potatoes ice a four-layer meat cake perfectly... 14 servings might have been better, just to be safe.
(and if there's extra, it's perfect for eating with the meatcake scraps!) Date: 09/10/2007 FYI, 12 servings of mashed potatoes ice a four-layer meat cake perfectly... 14 servings might have been better, just to be safe.
(and if there's extra, it's perfect for eating with the meatcake scraps!)
(and if there's extra, it's perfect for eating with the meatcake scraps!) Date: 09/10/2007 FYI, 12 servings of mashed potatoes ice a four-layer meat cake perfectly... 14 servings might have been better, just to be safe.
(and if there's extra, it's perfect for eating with the meatcake scraps!)
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Meat shavings -- consumed during cake decorating breaks.
(see?) Date: 09/10/2007 Meat shavings -- consumed during cake decorating breaks.
(see?)
(see?) Date: 09/10/2007 Meat shavings -- consumed during cake decorating breaks.
(see?)
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I cut the corner out of a Ziplock bag to shape the mashed potatos on top of the cake. The finely shredded cheese was a really nice touch that I didn't plan initially.
(It really looks very festive!) Date: 09/10/2007 I cut the corner out of a Ziplock bag to shape the mashed potatos on top of the cake. The finely shredded cheese was a really nice touch that I didn't plan initially.
(It really looks very festive!)
(It really looks very festive!) Date: 09/10/2007 I cut the corner out of a Ziplock bag to shape the mashed potatos on top of the cake. The finely shredded cheese was a really nice touch that I didn't plan initially.
(It really looks very festive!)