halene's Profile
With out question - the best cake I've had
Using crisco to grease your pans may have contributed to the problem. Alton Brown from Good Eats on the Food Network taught me to use butter when greasing pans. Butter, unlike Crisco, contains water, which evaporates in the oven, creating a small layer of air under the cake and keeping it from sticking horribly to the pan.
Also, I've had many a cake stick to the pan in my years baking. Usually it's a result of being too impatient and trying to turn the cakes out when they're very hot, then they break more easily. Nothing a little extra frosting won't fix though. :)
With out question - the best cake I've had
You should try this cake if you don't like bananas, it still gets you lots of that peanut butter frosting!
http://einphilly.blogspot.com/2007/08/fluffernutter-cake.html
With out question - the best cake I've had
A bundt pan is a good idea, too. I think if I try it in that shape I'll make a peanut butter glaze and drizzle it on top instead of trying to frost it with buttercream.
With out question - the best cake I've had
I would bake it in a 13X9 and just adjust the baking time as needed!
With out question - the best cake I've had
The banana extract isn't necessary, especially if your bananas are very ripe or over ripe.
With out question - the best cake I've had
Glad you liked the Elvis! Your adaptations to the recipe sound wonderful.
You should try the cayenne pepper at least once, it adds a little kick that is suprisingly yummy.
Erawan seems good - why so empty?
Erawan is my favorite Thai place in Philly with Siam Lotus coming in a close second. Whenever I go to Erawan we're usually the only ones in the restaurant. It is a few dollars more than other places mentioned in this thread, but it's my favorite anyway. It's also considerably harder to park around that part of the city compared to Spring Garden where Siam Lotus is located.
Attached is a picture of my favorite dish at Erawan, the Erawan Noodles.
Good inexpensive Mexican?
Taqueria Veracruzan. 9th and Washington. Get the grilled steak tacos or quesadillas. Plaza Garibaldi is also great for carne asada and mole.
