Latest Gadget--AKA Darth Vader's Death Star

According to Wikipedia: The Death Star is a fictional moon-sized spacestation and superweapon appearing in the Star Wars movies and expanded universe. It is capable of destroying a planet with a single destructive energy beam.

The Pressure Cooker is a sealed vessel that does not permit air or liquids to escape below a pre-set pressure. Pressure cooking allows food to be cooked with greater humidity and higher temperatures than possible with conventional boiling or steaming methods. Excess heat causes boiling water to vaporize into steam. In a sealed pressure cooker, the boiling point of water increases as the pressure rises.

Umm. . Sounds like a mini Death Star--capable of destroying my kitchen and, perhaps, even vaporizing ME!

As my family, and a select number of my friends know, I have attempted to purchase a pressure cooker (in one form or another) for the past five years. I've researched, examined, held, and even got as far as the check stand at Macy's--only to change my mind.

I spied an electric pressure cooker last week and ordered it online. I unpacked it yesterday and yanked my rump roast from the fridge this afternoon. After memorizing the directions, I got busy. I chopped an onion, bell pepper, garlic cloves, added a cup-and-a-half of beef broth, Italian seasoning, bay leave and five Italian peppers. Everything went into the inner pot. A little over an hour later, I had prepared the best roast I had ever tasted!

Now I see my pressure cooker as more of a cute little R2D2 (Resourceful and spunky droid). His bravery, coupled with his many gadgets, played large roles in saving the galaxy time and time again, than Darth Vader's weapon.

I'm still cautious when operating pressure cooker, as I should be, but I'm confident this device will become my go-to gadget after I get home from work.

Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard

During the past three months, along with revising my latest novel, updating my website, I am venturing into the cyber-pinning world. I have been assured this process is painless (no old school push pins and letting of blood involved).

It took me four days to get my Pinterest app to stick to my iPad and iPhone bookmark bar. Setting up my individual boards was a snap. . .until I realized a title was required for each board. Title! I am a novelist and I know how important a title is. I am also aware I resembled a panic-stricken, wild-eyed animal trembling in a corner for several moments before I got a grip on myself. Sort of. Three sleepless nights later, I added titles to my boards.

Let the pinning begin!

Since I am on deadline and must still feed the family, I'm posting my fast and family pleasing Root Beer Float Cake.

1 package 2-layer yellow cake mix
Root Beer
1-1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Root Beer Icing

Grease 9x13 baking pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (325 degrees glass pan). Prepare cake mix according to package directions, except substitute root beer for liquid and add lemon zest and vanilla. Spread batter evenly. Bake according to package directions. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully invert cake onto a wire rack; remove pan. Cool completely. Invert again onto another wire rack.

Using a serrated knife, cut top of cake to make it level. Trim edges of cake. Discard trimmed pieces. Cut cake in half lengthwise into two 4.5 x 13-inch rectangles. Place one cake rectangle on a serving platter. Spread with half of the Root Beer Icing. Top with second cake rectangle. Spread top with remaining icing. Serves 15.

Root Beer Icing
In a medium bowl beat half a cup of butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until smooth. Gradually add 1 cup powdered sugar, beating well. Slowly beat in 3 tablespoons of root beer and 1 taspoon of vanilla. Gradually beat in 2 cups of powdered sugar. If necessary, beat in a little more root beer or powdered sugar to make the icing spreading consistency.