SOUTHERN ITALIAN FOOD RECIPES

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and lightly flour three 9-inch cake pans.
• Sift the flour and baking soda together and set aside.
• With an electric mixer, cream the butter and shortening with the sugar until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the egg yolks one at a time, beating well between each addition. With the mixer on medium speed, add the flour and buttermilk alternately, beginning and ending with buttermilk. Add the vanilla, coconut and nuts, and stir well to incorporate.
• In a separate bowl with clean beaters, whip the egg whites to stiff peaks. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter, just until blended.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 25 minutes. Test for doneness by touching the top of the cake with your finger. The cake is done if it bounces back up. Cool the layers on wire racks sprayed with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
• For the frosting: With an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese with the butter on high speed until fluffy. Reduce the speed to medium and blend in the sugar and vanilla. Beat well until the frosting is smooth.
• When the cake is completely cool, spread the frosting between the layers and on the sides and top of the cake. Sprinkle on the nuts.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Spray an oven proof casserole with cooking spray and set aside.
• Put the tomatoes with their juices into the casserole and cut up into chunks.
• Add the sugar and stir.
• Cut the butter into chunks and add to tomato mixture.
• Stir in the stale bread cubes-enough to make a thick mixture.
• Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and the mixture is very thick.
• Cover with foil if it appears to be browning too quickly towards the end.