Too Good Not to Share

For those of you who have cringed when I've mentioned awake intubation, here's a video that might make you feel better...or worse...In any case, I think the Massachusetts General Hospital residents are incredibly fortunate to have such a committed and courageous teacher!

(Click here to watch it on Youtube.)

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Hubby's Birthday Cake

This is the best cake I've ever made, so I want to share all the sinful delight here for posterity (adapted from a ricotta pound cake recipe by Gina DePalma in her book Dolce Italiano):

Preheat oven to 350.

Generously grease and flour a rectangular (13 x 9) cake pan.

In a medium bowl sift together

-2 c+ 3 Tb all-purpose flour

-5 Tb cornstarch

-4 tsp baking powder

In a large bowl cream together

-2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter

-2 1/2 c part-skim ricotta cheese

-2 1/2 c sugar

Add

-4 tsp vanilla (can replace some of this with scrapings from a vanilla bean - haven't tried that yet)

-1 tsp almond extract

-5 eggs, one a time, beating well after each addition

Gradually add dry ingredients + 1 1/2 tsp coarse salt, stirring well after each addition.

Pour batter into prepared baking pan and bake at 350 till inserted knife or toothpick comes out clean (45-55 min).

Top with lemon glaze or buttercream frosting of choice. This cake should be allowed to rest overnight and be served the day after baking because for whatever reason it always tastes better the second day!