In The Kitchen: Red Velvet Cupcakes w/ Cream Cheese Frosting

 

Every bakery in the world declares theirs THE best.  I don't know what constitutes a delicious red velvet, but I tend to use a little more cocoa powder (about 1/2 cup) to really bring out the flavor.  Moisture from butter and buttermilk give a great texture to hold up to the cream cheese frosting.  I made these on a sunny afternoon - waiting for my son to get home from school.

There are several recipes out there, but my favorites are from Alton Brown, Paul Dean and Ina Garten.

Need them NOW?  These retail cupcake shops are ones I would re-visit.
Seattle: Trophy Cupcake or Cake Envy

In The Kitchen: Smoked Paprika Chicken with Potato & Onion

I'm an avid viewer of the food channels.  I even take notes for future food field trips and anything important for future use. I happen to catch "The Best Thing I've Ever Made" which featured Alton Brown and this recipe.

I've never used smoked paprika and had to trek to Seattle's World Spice Merchants to get it (Whole Foods didn't have it).  Wow!  If you're in the market for spices I highly recommend this place.  Every spice they carry is displayed in jars of one ounce so you can look at it, smell it and determine how much you want to buy.  It's located on Western below the market - so parking is terrible and if you drive too fast, you'll miss it.

My family loved it.  It really was a delicious dinner - full of flavor. I used 4 thighs and 2 breasts - organic, free range chicken which I don't think really made a difference (except in price).  Bonus was the crunch from the skin.  The "smoke" really came out and gave it that smoked flavor without the grill.  I would definitely make it again and not change a thing.