Strawberry Cake

this strawberry cake is Fabulous! I made this cake, for the first time, to serve at church and it got wonderful reviews.  I did, however, tweak the recipe a bit.  I used a bunt pan instead of the 'three round pans' and I also did not use the icing in the recipe.  Instead I used a store bought cream cheese icing, scooped some out into a bowl, softened it for about 8 seconds in the microwave and mixed in some smashed strawberries to make a drizzle. 

*I used fresh strawberries instead of frozen.

**please note if you use a bunt pan as I did, you will need to increase the cook time of the cake to about ONE HOUR or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.   

Ingredients:
1 (3 ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin
1/2 cup cold water
1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 (10 ounce) package frozen strawberries, thawed *(I used fresh strawberries)
6 tablespoons butter
2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions:
1.Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). **Grease and flour three 9 inch round cake pans.
2.In a large bowl, dissolve the gelatin in cold water; stir in the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, flour and 1/2 of the strawberries. Beat for 5 minutes on the medium speed of an electric mixer. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
3.**Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the layers spring back when lightly pressed in the center. Cool cakes in the pans on wire racks.

I did not use this frosting...but this is the suggested frosting to use when making the layered cake.  I will try this frosting the next time.
4.To Make Frosting: Cream the butter, sugar and the remaining half of the strawberries in a medium bowl until light and fluffy, adding additional confectioners' sugar if needed for a spreadable consistency. Spread the frosting between layers and over the top and sides of cake.

I hope you enjoy this strawberry cake as much as we did. 

Fried Okra

this is a pretty basic recipe, but wanted to post it because i figured, like myself, there might be someone out there who wanted fried okra, but had no idea how to do it! my two oldest boys love fried okra and this recipe got their stamp of approval!

Ingredients:
10 pods okra, sliced in 1/4 inch pieces
1 egg, beaten
1 cup cornmeal
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Directions:
1.  In a small bowl, soak okra in egg for 5-10 minutes.  In a medium bowl, combine cornmeal, salt and pepper.
2.  Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Dredge okra in the cornmeal mixture, coating evenly.  Carefully place okra in hot oil; stir continuously.  Reduce heat to medium when okra first starts to brown, and cook until golden.  Drain on paper towels.

that's it. simple, quick, and ridiculously delicious!

enjoy!