Fonduta

__________________________________________________

             FOOD FUNNY
__________________________________________________

Thanks to "Clowie1" for sending us this classic food funny:

Alice Grayson was to bake a cake for the Baptist Church Ladies' Group in
Tuscaloosa, but forgot to do it until the last minute. She remembered
the morning of the bake sale and after rummaging through cabinets, found
an angel food cake mix and quickly made it while drying her hair,
dressing, and helping her son pack for Scout camp. When Alice took the
cake from the oven, the center had dropped flat and the cake was
horribly disfigured. She thought, "Oh dear, there is not time to bake another cake."

This cake was important to Alice because she did so want to fit in at
her new church and in her new community of friends. So, being inventive,
she looked around the house for something to build up the center of the
cake. Alice found it in the bathroom - a roll of toilet paper. She
plunked it in and covered it with icing. Not only did the finished
product look beautiful, it looked perfect.

Before she left the house to drop the cake by the church and head for
work, Alice woke her daughter Amanda and gave her some money and
specific instructions to be at the bake sale the moment it opened at
9:30 and to buy the cake and bring it home. When Amanda arrived at the
sale, she found the attractive, perfect cake had already been sold. She
grabbed her cell phone and called her mom.

Alice was horrified - she was beside herself. Everyone would know! What
would they think? She would be ostracized, talked about, and ridiculed!
All night, Alice lay awake in bed thinking about people pointing fingers
at her and talking about her behind her back.

The next day, Alice promised herself she would try not to think about
the cake and would attend the fancy luncheon/bridal shower at the home
of a fellow church member and try to have a good time. Alice did not
want to attend because the hostess was a snob who more than once had
looked down her nose at Alice because she was a single parent and not
from the founding families of Tuscaloosa but, having already sent her
RSVP, she couldn't think of a believable excuse to stay home.

The meal was elegant, the company was definitely upper crust old South
and to Alice's horror, the cake in question was presented for dessert!
Alice felt the blood drain from her face when she saw the cake! She
started out of her chair to tell the hostess all about it, but before
she could get to her feet, the Mayor's wife said, "What a beautiful cake!"

Alice still stunned, sat back in her chair when she heard the hostess
(who was a prominent church member) say, "Thank you, I baked it myself."

__________________________________________________

             TODAY'S RECIPE
__________________________________________________

This Italian version of fondue is rich and creamy, and can be served as
a first course or as the main event in a light supper or brunch.

Fonduta

1 lb (450 g) Fontina or Gruyere cheese, cut into small chunks
1 tsp (5 ml) cornstarch (cornflour) dissolved in
1/2 cup (125 ml) milk
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
3 egg yolks
4 to 6 slices white French or Italian bread, toast, buttered, and cut diagonally into triangles

In a small saucepan over low heat combine the cheese, cornstarch and
milk, salt and pepper and heat, stirring constantly, until the cheese is
melted. It will probably be a little stringy. Beat the egg yolks lightly
for a few seconds, the add about 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture and beat
vigorously. Pour the egg mixture slowly into the cheese mixture, beating
constantly, and continue cooking the cheese mixture over low heat,
stirring constantly, until it becomes runny and smooth. Ladle it
immediately into ramekins or small soup bowls. Stand the toast triangles
around the inside of the bowls and serve immediately.
Serves 4 to 6.
Received on Mon Sep 1 08:22:33 2008