Red Velvet Legend

[Keziah]

A Dish with a Story
Chicken Merengo

During the Napoleonic wars the Napoleon himself ordered a dish that would be quick to make and serve. There was only scraps to cook with and foods stuff that could be gathered from the surrounding area.
Chicken, herbs, cognac, onions, garlic, eggs, tomatoes and crayfish, fried in olive oil.
The Little General is supposed to have loved this meal even more so as he won the battle after eating it. Napoleon thought that this dish was lucky and would not let his cook change the ingredients or how it was cooked.

This was the first meal my husband ever cooked for me. It did not have any eggs in it (good).

[shipscook]

Kevin,
I could do a search on this, but am having a lazy day!!
But, about as many years ago as you are, do I not remember Red Velvet Cake being made with Seven Minute Frosting? Can't remember cream cheese in to many recipes and carrot cake came along later?
Hmmmm?
Nan

[StarOfFoods]

Funny...I was at the market and saw slices of red velvet cake on sale for $2.99 a slice. I was tempted to buy, but I thought, it couldn't be that difficult to make one.

I'm not sure about the seven minute frosting, but I heard of a shorter shortcut to that, just mix cream cheese (neufchatel), butter, then gradually add sugar.

Does anybody have any other ideas for the frosting?

[Mama Mangia]

[QUOTE=chubbyalaskagriz;34881]Just happened onto this... I personally think the red jello is a much finer way of turning a cake blood-red than adding a ton of food coloring! Check it out...

Kev - if you take a look at your recipe - Naked bundt - where I posted the Red Velvet cake recipe and also one using beets for coloring.
I'm not too sure if the jello thing would work - that would add more sweetness.
If you try it with jello lets us know.

[Cook Chatty Cathy]

I love the story of the Chciken Merengo Keziah.

OK>>>KEV YOU ASKED FOR IT!!! HERE'S THE REAL RED VELVET STORY>>>>>
Dedicate this incredible story to Kevin O. (my real inspiration for conjuring up this little tale)

ONCE MANY MOONS AGO THERE WAS A LONELY YOUNG WOMAN WHO AWAITED HER BELOVED'S RETURN FROM THE GREAT WAR (WORLD WAR I) ONE DAY SHE AWOKE TO THE SOUND OF LOVELY CARDINALS CHIRPING CHEERFULLY IN HER FRONT YARD, SHE COULD NOT BELIEVE HER EYES BUT THERE AS PLAIN AS DAY WERE HUNDREDS OF BRIGHT RED CARDINALS THEY COVERED HER ENTIRE YARD! SHE WALKED ONTO THE FRONT PORCH SAT DOWN ON HER BIG CANE BACK ROCKING CHAIR AND ADMIRED THE RARE SIGHT FOR WHAT SEEMED AN HOUR. THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS LIFTED HER SPIRITS TO A LEVEL OF JOY SHE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED FOR A LONG LONG TIME. SHE REALIZED AT THAT MOMENT THAT DESPITE HER SADNESS, SHE COULD STILL ENJOY LIFE. SHE JUMPED TO HER FEET BEGAN TWIRLING AROUND JOYFULLY WITH HER ARMS LIFTED LIKE A BALERINA. IN HER EXUBERANCE SHE HAD TO MARK THIS MOMENT FOREVER IN HISTORY AND SO SHE BAKED A CAKE THAT WAS TOTALLY RED (LIKE THE MALE CARDINALS) AND FROSTED IT WITH THE LIGHTEST WHITE FROSTING SHE COULD MAKE. THE NEXT DAY SHE TOOK PIECES OF THIS LOVELY CAKE TO ALL HER FRIENDS THAT WAITED FOR THEIR HUSBANDS TO RETURN FROM THE WAR. IT WAS HER HOPE THAT THIS LITTLE GIFT OF CAKE COULD SOMEWHAT LIFT EACH OF HER FRIENDS SRIRITS EVEN IF FOR A BRIEF MOMENT, THUS SHARING THE GIFT OF JOY SHE HAD RECEIVED HERSELF!

THE END

[chubbyalaskagriz]

Nan, you very well may be correct w/ the seven-minute-frosting thought. Of course there was also the GRAY frosting used on "Steel Magnolias" by the character who made the blood-red, red velvet bleedin' armadillo groom's cake... remember that? Ha!

Mama- I do recall your recipe using the beet juice. I'll have to try it, fer sure!

Cathy- WOW! Now THAT'S the kind of lovely story I was HOPIN' for for Red Velvet Cake! THNAKS for sharing!

[Keziah]

Cook Chatty Cathy, that's a great story. I like a little romance, does the heart good.

[Cook Chatty Cathy]

Cook Chatty Cathy, that's a great story. I like a little romance, does the heart good.

You bet it does

I am glad you liked it!!! I love a good story every now and again even if I have to make it up myself