A yummy day

When we were in graduate school, Dennis and I went to visit our friends Norman, who was studying for his PhD at the University of Nevada, and his wife Marcia. Marcia and I were great pals and I had been missing her since she moved to Reno. Whenever our husbands – buddies that they were - went out on the town, we - less adventurous than they - stayed home and played cards .. and played cards … and played cards. Marcia was the only friend I had who loved to play cards as much as I did, so I was really looking forward to seeing her and to playing a few hands of casino or piquet. She was a great cook, and had prepared a chocolate cake for our visit. As expected, it was very yummy. We gave the husbands a piece each, sent them off to bed, and then got down to business. When they got up in the morning, we were bleary eyed and droopy, but still playing, and had finished the entire cake! So I think of Marcia and remember that fun evening every time I make this cake. It takes only a few minutes to mix up, so is great for a busy day.

Marcia’s Sourdough Chocolate Cake

½ cup starter
1 cup milk
1 ½ cups flour
Mix together and let sit at room temperature for 2 hours.

2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
Beat into the flour mixture.

3 ounces chocolate
½ cup butter
Melt together, cool, and stir into the rest.

Bake it at 350˚ in a greased and floured bundt pan for 45 minutes, or a 9x13 inch pan for 25-30 minutes. Serve it with whipped cream.
Hint: Using bread crumbs to flour your bundt pan lets your cake come out of the pan nicely every time.

Also pictured is the frozen yogurt I made from this recipe. It was one of the best things I ever ate, and like the cake, it didn’t take long at all to prepare. If you serve these two dishes, your guests will be amazed and think you toiled all day in the kitchen.