Verdicts from the week of the 5th

1.  Cherry-vanilla layer cake - 3 out of 5  Tastes good and the icing isn't horribly sweet, but not amazing enough to do again.  This was the first time I've made swiss meringue buttercream and...it was a disaster.  Everything was great until I added the vanilla and then it 'broke'.  That's the only word I can think of to describe it.  It looked like this:

Confections of a Foodie Bride

So like any good researcher does, I went online and googled "swiss meringue buttercream problems".  I found Confections of a Foodie Bride, followed her instructions (popped part of it in the microwave, then whipped the entire thing again), and I couldn't believe it...a miracle had occurred right before my eyes.  The Internet...oh what would I do without you?

2.  Butterbeer - 5 out of 5  Best copycat recipe I've found.  I made a little too much topping, but I'll adjust next time.  Yes, I said next time. 

3.  Spinach-artichoke dip - 3 out of 5  Tastes super salty or garlicky to me.  Not a bad recipe though.

4.  Grilled cheese with tomato soup - 5 out of 5  I had no idea making homemade tomato soup was this easy and yummy.  I'll be making my own from now on.  I imagine it's more cost effective than buying canned soup too.  The grilled cheese called for three types of cheese but I'll think I'll just stick to my one slice of cheddar from now on.  P.S. I LOVE my immersion blender!!  Best invention ever.

5.  Tomato-sausage lasagna - 5 out of 5  Very time consuming (took over 2 hours from start to finish), but well worth the wait.  Best traditional lasagna I've ever made.  Lasted us all week too.  Speaking of which, I wonder if lasagna freezes well.  That would be the best way to do it...make it before hand & freeze individual servings for eating later.  Hmmmmmm....