Larry picked out the entree for tonight, but I picked the dessert. The pork chops are good, tender with a really nice onion gravy. This cake, however, is spectacular. I had seen some reviews on it and had been wanting to make it. I love stout cake – this is the third recipe I’ve tried and by far the best chocolate cake I’ve ever made (Jay loved it too). It’s also huge – three layers. And chocolatey, and moist, and just really delicious. Next I plan to make cupcakes using the same recipe.

• Smothered Pork Chops (Here In America’s Test Kitchen, p. 176)
• Orzo with Lemon, Garlic, Parmigiano & Herbs (Fine Cooking #90, p. 44)
• Butter Lettuce with Lemon Poppyseed Dressing (Fine Cooking #51, July 2002, p. 48)
• Chocolate Stout Cake (Bon Appetit, September 2002)