Cooking can be an Adventure: Dumping can be Yummy!

This is sort of an interesting blog because it didn't initially happen Out N About in New York, but rather in Atlanta. I was supposed to go apple picking this weekend in the orchards upstate and blog about that, but it rained, and I had to postpone until next weekend (let me know if you are interested in coming with me apple picking). What came out of the initial encounter has followed me to every city I have lived in. Yesterday I found myself using it to impress Jose. It is the most AMAZING yet simple recipe that I have ever come across. It is so AMAZING that I have decided to include it in a cook book that Quinta and I are in the process of writing (hint hint Quinta, we need to finish the book). Today, I will share with you the story of how I came to be in possession of this recipe and give it to you to try at home. You will not believe how easy and how delicious it is. Its so delicious, that my last two boyfriends who I have made it for have both insisted they wouldn't like the flavor combination, then would proceeded to eat the whole pan till they were sick. It has always been a hit at potlucks, and with the holiday parties coming up, you can be the hit of your parties if you use it. I will not take credit for the recipe, and there are several versions of it floating around. I will share with you the recipe as I learned it that one afternoon in Atlanta.

My friend Tisza is one of the most beautiful and fit girls I have ever met. The thing I love about Tisza is that this girl can eat. She knows food, and she knows whats good. If a meal is good, Tisza will sometimes take out her camera, ask the chef to come out, and have his or her picture taken to go into Tisza's food hall of fame. Whenever we go to dinner, if someone is not sure what to order, I always suggest to get what Tisza is having- It never fails to satisfy. In fact, whenever I go out with Tisza, it usually is to catch up and have dinner, and I ALWAYS let her choose the restaurant. Amazingly, this girl is a size 6! I met her while working on a children's theatre tour out of Atlanta: The Emperor's New Clothes.

One weekend in Atlanta, we were both invited to a potluck party at Dewayne and Derek's house. When I got to the party, I was immediately greeted by Tisza with a pan of some sort of cobbler that didn't look all that great, but smelled wonderful. She said to me "William, you have to try this it is so delicious". She handed me a fork and I put a scoop out of the pan into my mouth. It was HEAVEN. It had this amazing rich flavor, full of butter and other flavors I couldn't identify. It had cherries in it, but it wasn't just cherry, and I couldn't put my finger on it. I am NOT a fan of cherry pie, yet this was too good to put down. We both sat on the couch and refused to share the rest of the pan with anyone. Toward the end of the party, while fighting with others about sharing this "food from the gods" giving away only small scoops here and there, we finally asked the crowd who was responsible for this dessert.

I don't remember his name, but a young college boy stood up and said he made it. "what is it?" we asked. "It's DUMP CAKE" he replied. DUMP CAKE. How could something so good have a name that sounded like something you do in the bathroom. Tisza and I immediately assumed he was lying. He was just a kid who knew the dish was a hit, and he wanted to take credit.

"How do you make it?" we coyly asked. Simple he said, you take the ingredients and just dump it into the pan, bake it for about 50-55 minutes and its done. No mixing. That's why it's called DUMP cake, you just DUMP it into the pan and bake". "YOU ARE LYING!" I said to him. "Dewayne, get me a piece of paper".

I wrote the 4-- yes 4 ingredients and the simple directions down. Even Tisza didn't beleive this kid. This was way to simple for something that tasted so complicated. I immediately left the Party explaining to Tisza I was going to the grocery store to purchase the stuff to make this so called DUMP CAKE and go home and try this recipe out. "Call me when you are done and tell me if what the kid said is true" Tisza said to me.

As the cake was baking, the smell in my house was celestial. It smelled like the cake at the party. 55 minutes later, I pulled the DUMP CAKE out of the oven, golden brown on top just like the one at the party. I let it cool about 20 minutes as I didn't want to burn my mouth. As it cooled, the crust got harder and crumblier. I dug into the pan. THE KID WASN'T LYING!! I couldn't believe it. I quickly called Tisza and told her that the kid was telling the truth.

For the next 6 months, I think I baked a DUMP CAKE every other week. Any function that I needed to bring a dish for, I brought DUMP CAKE. I would be met with puzzled disgusted looks because of its name, but would leave the party as the culinary star. The same happened for Tisza. Every where we went, we did not hesitate to share the recipe because it was so simple, no one believed us anyway. Those who did try it, went on to become culinary stars amongst their own circles of friends. The Recipe and Directions are here for you now. Try it, and let me know your results.

The four ingredients are
1 Box of Yellow Cake Mix
1 Can of CRUSHED pineapple
1 can of pitted dark sweet cherries in juice (not the pie filling)
and 1 stick of Butter.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

DUMP the can of Crushed Pineapple (juice and all) into a 9 X 13 inch pan. You do not have to grease the pan. (I know the pan in the picture is not 9 X 13- I was making 2 square pans. 9 X 13 works best)

DUMP the can of Pitted Cherries into the pan with the Pineapple. I like to break up the cherries with a fork (I also mix the pineapple and cherries a little, but it is not necessary).







DUMP the DRY cake mix over the fruit. Try to cover the fruit evenly with all of the cake mix.

DUMP the stick of butter (cut into little pats) onto the DRY cake mix, so that when it goes into the oven, it evenly melts over the top of the cake.

Place the cake into the oven and bake at 350 degrees for about 50 to 55 minutes, checking it periodically after the first 30 minutes (watch that it doesn't burn-not all ovens are the same) until the top of the cake is golden brown in patches (it wont be uniformly brown). Cool for about 20 minutes to let the crust harden. It will not look like the most appetizing cake, but I guarantee you, it tastes great.

What happens is the juices from the fruit bubble up into the cake mix, and the butter bubbles down into the cake mix, and turns the cake mix into the most delicious crust you have ever tasted.

I like to serve my DUMP CAKE with a scoop of vanilla Ice Cream.



Go ahead, I invite you all to try it. My roommates love it, my boyfriends have loved it, my co-workers have loved it, and YOU will love it.

Every Day can be a GREAT day!

I thought I had nothing to blog about yesterday. I felt bad because I also felt like I was letting my readers down by not bringing you another story. It got worse when at lunch, Herbelicious and I saw Tabatha Coffey (love her!) on the street and I didn't have my camera again! "I was appalled". I need to remember to take my camera out of my work bag and secure it in my belt holster. Herbelicious shouted to her "love your show" to which she replied "thank you" as she dug into her purse for something. She looked fierce dressed sleekly in an autumn overcoat, with her platinum blond hair. For those of you who don't know who Tabatha Coffey is, she is a judge on the Bravo TV show Shear Genius, but also hosts her own show called Tabatha's Salon Take Over. Its a FABULOUS show where Tabatha (whose own successful salon has a 3 month waiting list) goes in and turns failing hair salons, into success stories- but not without a whole lot of drama. Tabatha is a no nonsense Australian who tells it like it is. She tells stylist they dress like whores and need to be more professional; or to get out of the salon because they don't know how to style hair. I'm actually new to watching the show, but Herbelicious tells me that someone cries in every episode. If you don't have Bravo TV (like me)-yes I don't have TV-can you believe it?- you can watch clips of the show at:

http://video.bravotv.com/player/?fid=35824

(It's not that I don't have a TV, I have a flat screen, but since I don't have cable service or a converter box, and flat screens don't have antennas, I don't have TV!)

Later, as Herbelicious and I was leaving work I realized that this is New York. There is ALWAYS something going on that I can blog about. As we headed to the D train, Herbelcious and I encountered trucks from Universal City Studios filming a movie right on 41st street, down the block from our office. 

Movies get filmed in NYC so often that I have become oblivious to them. 

They were filming a movie called  

  

Three Kings (at least that's what the name tags on the crew people said), and there were militaristic cars, and extras posing as reporters everywhere. 

They asked us to clear one side of the street and then they began hosing it down, not sure if it was to clean the street or to give it a wet look.


A group of men in military uniforms began marching down the sidewalk in preparation for the scene. A lot of people started gathering to watch, blocking the sidewalk which upset a lot of New Yorkers who just wanted to get home. 

We watched for 5 or 10 minutes and then we headed toward the D train at Bryant Park. 

When we got to Bryant Park, we noticed a crowd had gathered on the lawn for a concert.
 A sign said free classical music and opera after work Sept 30, Oct 1, 2, 6, and 8. 




Today was the Orchestra of St. Luke's playing clash tango music. It was an overcast day, there was a crispness in the air. The leaves falling off the trees, and the beautiful music playing made it feel like Herbelicious and I were in a movie of our own.
 Even the way the statues were lit up in the park added to the moment. Does this ever happen to any of you? Like when I get off the train with my ipod, and the music sequence by chance, seems to fit the moment to a T, like it's the soundtrack of my life. I love when that happens. This is what living life is about. It is about taking each moment, and appreciating its specialness. If you feel like things are boring, or going wrong, all you need to do is step back, and look around.
You will see that there are millions of tiny moments happening all at once everywhere. We just need to learn to stop, look, listen, and be grateful for those moments. Each day before I go to bed, I try to write down 5 things that I am grateful for (I got this from Oprah Winfrey-Love her!). It has changed my life. Now, every day is a great day.

Broadway Geeks!!.... I'm one of them.

Although I am in advertising now, my friends know that my heart is in entertainment. I came from entertainment. I was a performer-a singer to be exact (though as a child growing up you could say I was practically a professional Filipino folk dancer). In college I majored in Voice for Musical Theatre.

In 1997 I left Hawai'i specifically so I could pursue being a Broadway actor hoping to get into my dream show Miss Saigon. A few shows and tours later (not Miss Saigon), I ended up working for Bank of America in Atlanta.

Then in 2004, I did land my dream show-- MISS SAIGON.
Yes I know I mentioned Miss Saigon 4 times to many in this short story but it's my FAVORITE show. In college I had a huge fight with my roommates who said that I was unapproachable because all I talked about was Miss Saigon. Whatever. Haters.

When that show ended, I got a job at Actors' Equity Association (the Broadway acting union) in NYC, first handling Broadway Workers Comp Claims (you would be surprised to know how many injuries take place in one night on Broadway without the audience ever knowing), and then as the business representative who handled the contracts between actors and talent agents.

Today I work in advertising which I totally love. But I still am a theatre geek. I still have friends in the industry, and know of several tricks to get cheap (if not free) show tickets. I see shows all the time. I think my heart wasn't really into being an actor, so much as just being around the theatre people. So once a year, I head to where all the other theatre geeks head to: The Broadway Flea Market in Shubert's Alley.

Here you can find that rare piece of music from that obscure show; playbills and posters autographed by the stars;

teddy bears dressed like Broadway characters;

and cookies which the girl claimed to be in the shape of dancers but look at the picture and tell me if you agree. I think she was selling something else, something maybe subliminal to all the gay boys who just adore Broadway--like me.

Either way, the whole flea market is to benefit wonderful charities like Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids. YAY!

They Blocked off all of 44th street.

I saw the green baby from the show Wicked,

and the boys at the Broadway Bares table were dressed in everything all at once!

I bought Christmas cards designed by Broadway Star Sutton foster, so look for them in your mailbox this Christmas! And a dog collar for my baby Cassi.

Herbelicious and Ivan eventually joined me, but they seemed bored of the whole Gala. So we headed to 8th avenue where a New York City Street Fair was taking place, one of the biggest I have ever seen. It looked like it stretched for miles- too big - (bet you never thought you'd here me say that about anything- too big- HA!).

Herbelicious and Ivan ended up modeling several winter beanies before decided on purchasing some.


Then it was off to lunch and BIG margaritas- too big- they made me sick. I know Herbelicious was sitting there laughing at me the whole time thinking "amateur", because I always say that to him about everything that I do well that he sucks at. He could sure suck down that drink.

Anyway, it was a fun afternoon, I got to be a geek, Charity was supported, and Herbelicous, Ivan, and my dog Cassi have some new things to sport this winter.

The Broadway Flea Market happens every Fall around Mid September in Shubert Alley, on 44th Street Between Broadway and 8th Avenue.

Fall Festival 2008

Despite what some of you believe, me being gay is not a choice. Just as a straight person instinctively went for the opposite sex and did not give it a second thought or "choice", I instinctively went for the same sex. If I had a choice, I would have probably chosen to be straight simply because it would have made my life a whole lot easier. But God choose this life for me that I was born into it and have no regrets.

When I came out to my parents, I was already an adult. My mother got upset and we stopped talking. Because I am an adult, I knew how to manage on my own without my mother. My mother and I have since made up. But there are hundreds of teens out there today, who just like me, know it is not a choice to be gay. For some of these teens who are coming out so early (because we MUST live our lives honestly and be comfortable with who we are), life is an uphill battle. They are not adults, and do not have the tools to cope as easily as I did when I came out. I recently read a story about a girl who came out at a young age. Her mother threw her out, and told her that had she known her daughter would turn out this way, she would not have let the doctors save her when she was born prematurely. At school, she faced ridicule not only from her classmates, but from teachers as well. With no family to support her nor education, how was she to cope with life? She wanted to die. Thank God for the Hetrick-Martin Institute and the Harvey Milk School in NYC. They provided a place for this girl to know love, and compassion, and gave her a place to receive an education and the tools she needed to be a success. All she needed was a chance.

The Hetrick-Martin Institute throws an annual Fall Festival Benefit Event that I was fortunate enough to be invited to. Jose, through his corporate philanthropy made an admirable donation of $2000 and was able to invite Herbelicious, myself, and our friend Alan. The event was held upstate in Accord, New York (prounounced ACK-cord).

Accord is 2 hours north of the city in what I would call COUNTRY. Corn fields and farm houses dot the landscape. Quaint little towns where some of NYC's richest find escape from the grind of city life among the simple serene life of farm folk.

We got lost on our way there, as not all the streets along the green winding hill roads are labeled properly. We stopped to ask for directions at an inn where Herbelicious and Alan got out. Herbelicious was nervous. Would the inn keeper pull out the ropes to start a lynching of these 4 ethnic GAY boys from the city? To our surprise he was also a "Sister" who fabulously dressed complete with a silk scarf, told Herbelicious to breathe as he pointed us in the right direction, asking if those doctor boys were throwing a party again. Hmmm maybe we need to go back to Accord and find out who these fabulous doctor boys are.

We found the Fall Festival down a long private driveway leading to a beautiful estate with a house built on a lake. In the back of the house, a huge white tent complete with beautiful couches and chaise loungers; paper lanterns; coffee tables of glass full of water with blossoms floating in them; free martinis and wine; hors d' orderves; --all the while people walking about in designer clothing and Jimmy Choo shoes costing at least $5000 a pair. It could have been a very pretentious party. It was not. It was open and friendly and warm. I think everyone here understood what it was like growing up gay and not being accepted. So they accepted EVERYONE. The day was a perfect day to throw an outdoor party such as this. Clear skies and 70 degrees- not too hot, not to cold.

Heberlicious and I enjoyed pretending to be models as we posed on the chaises with our martinis. We even created our own Dolce Gabanna ads amongst the reeds near the lake. Jose and Alan were having a blast too, mingling and posing for pictures. Ah, this was the life.

But walking around the party were these teens who gently reminded us of a time we use to hide who we really were. They thanked us for supporting their school and giving them the chance to be successful. REALITY CHECK. I am so glad that these kids have the support they need. My life would have been a whole lot easier if I had the Harvey Milk School. Growing up I thought something was wrong with me. Why didn't girls like me? Why did the girls tease me? Why did the guys always pick on me? Why did I like clothes and Hair products, and Barbie? Why was I awkward at sports? Was I the only one this way? Why did it feel like I had to keep this all to myself? Was there anyone I could ask?.......... I hid all this pain really well.

As we left, we were handed goody bags full of hair products (YAY! for Herbelicous and I who LOVE our hair products), Skin products (YAY! for Herbelicous and I who LOVE our skin products), and Prada cologne (YAY! since we LOVE Prada). We are so GAY! YAY!

As we drove off, into the beautiful pink, purple and orange sunset, we all had a warm glow. We realized that as a group, the LGBT community has come a long way, but we still have a LONG way to go. It's nice to know that there are people and organizations like the Hetrick-Martin Institute who are making it a little easier for us. It's also nice to know that I have 3 good friends to help me through my life and make it a little more pleasant. Thank you Jose, Herbert, and Alan for sharing this day with me.

www.hmi.org