"BIG PINK" STRAWBERRY CAKE WITH PEPPERMINT TEA

Big Pink is not for the faint of heart. It is a flavor monster — sticky sweet topped with a richness from a classy yellow cake topping. Big Pink's signature hue derives from one of those blessed 1950s' era conveniences: a packet of strawberry jello. I'm all for natural, organic, and sensible, but sometimes you've got to go with the recipes that tickle your heart strings and make you feel like a kid. Upon tasting one bite of this ridiculous, decadent dessert, I was instantly transported to my 7 year old self. Feet dangling off the swing in the back yard, curls bouncing atop my head, end of summer twilight colors and a bag of Sour Patch gummy candies clutched in a death grip in my paw. This cake tastes like that moment. It's sweet, sour and totally my kid fantasy.

What better to top off the nostalgia dream than with the beloved tea from my childhood? Peppermint tea is the perfect compliment to Big Pink -- it refreshes and cleanses in order to simply survive the absurd sweet/tartness of the cake. You've probably got some lurking in a cabinet right now. Since it's just an infusion, not a caffeinated tea, kids can join in on the teapot too. Everyone can enjoy!

Big Pink Strawberry Cake
makes one 9 x 13" cake

 for the cake:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
4 egg yolks, beaten
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt  

for the topping:
4 cups sliced strawberries
1/2 sugar
1 package strawberry jello
3 cups miniature marshmallows

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Start with the cake batter and cream the butter and sugar together. Mis in the egg yolks, milk and vanilla until combined. Finish up with the dry ingredients and stir until uniform.

Cover bottom of a 9 x 13" pan with sliced strawberries. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup sugar, followed by 1 package of strawberry jello mix. Top the strawberry/jello layer with the marshmallows. Pour cake batter on top of strawberry-marshmallows and bake for about 35-40 minutes, until top is golden brown. Allow to cool before serving. Garnish with creme fraiche, whip cream, ice cream or whole vanilla yogurt.

Peppermint Tea
Peppermint is a common herbal tisane -- not really a tea at all, more of an infusion. You can make peppermint tea with a bunch of fresh mint leaves (as they do in parts of Northern Africa and Spain), or you can buy your favorite brand to have around as you need it. Personally, I love the flavor of Celestial Seasonings' Peppermint Tea. My Mom always used to have this in the house and I grew up assembling tea parties with my stuffed animals and little friends; and served this brand with plenty of sugar and lemon. It's fresh and flavorful.