Heart Cake (And My Broken Heart)

I made this cake over the weekend for my Valentine, which was about the extent of the romanticism over here (I mean, yeah, there was some carnal stuff, but my parents don't need to read about that).

I don't normally use mixes, but I was researching quick cake ideas for a recipe contest and I remembered the soda can method.  Basically, you forgo the eggs, oil and water and substitute with a can of soda of your choice.  I bought a white cake mix, threw in a fistful of shredded coconut, poured in a can of Coco Rico coconut soda and folded in two frothily beaten egg whites for extra lift.  Voila, coconut cake!  The icing is a gooey cream cheese-lime juice-whipping cream-powdered sugar concoction, and the heart is just more shredded coconut, pulsed in the Cuisinart and paper stenciled.  The real genius lies in the fact that I used my upside down salad spinner as a cake plate and cover.

All this matters not, though, as I've just learned that my favorite Twin Cities restaurant, Fugaise, is closing next month on March 14th. A year ago, I declared that the closing of this restaurant would undoubtedly reduce me to tears.  I guess it's time to stock up on the Kleenex.  Fugaise has been mentioned on this blog too many times to count over the last three years, I've written other dining pieces on Fugaise and I've sent more friends, family and clients there than probably any other restaurant around (except Azia, yes).  My love for the place is well-known and it's absence from the Twin Cities will... well, it will just plain f**king suck.

The last day of operations is March 14th, so do Chef Don a solid and have one more meal there before Fugaise closes.  It'll be one of the best meals you've ever had.

Comments

[Mom]

Lovely cake - so sorry to hear about Fugaise...

[Lazy boy]

I was lucky to find your girlfriday.typepad.com blog. I don't have much to add to the conversation, but I'm right here with you. Your post said exactly what I have been thinking. Good to see you posting.