Does anyone have a recipe for Baked Alaska; along with tips on how to make it successfully?

Question by Honeybee: Does anyone have a recipe for Baked Alaska; along with tips on how to make it successfully?
My father used to make the best Baked Alaska– never failed — he used the oven method, not a hand-held torch. However, he has passed away, and I never got the chance to learn that wonderful recipe from him. Thanks so much to all who have time to help me out!

Best answer:

Answer by Swirly
BAKED ALASKA WITH STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM
Red Velvet Pound Cake:
1 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
3 cups granulated sugar
7 eggs
1 (1-ounce) bottle red food coloring
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups cake flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
Meringue:
6 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cups sugar
Assembly:
1 gallon strawberry ice cream
Red velvet cake
Meringue
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan. Using a mixing bowl, combine the butter, shortening, and sugar and cream until light and fluffy. Add the eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add in the food coloring and vanilla. Combine the flour and salt, and add to the creamed mixture alternating with the milk, beating well. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a cooling rack.
Preheat the broiler.
To make the meringue, place egg whites and cream of tartar into a mixing bowl. Beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar and beat until stiff and set aside.
To assemble the Baked Alaska you have to work quickly. Slice the cake into 1/2-inch thick slices. Spread top of 1/2 of the cake slices with about 1 cup strawberry ice cream. Top with the remaining half of the cake slices. Place on a sheet pan. Spread meringue on all sides and form peaks using a knife. Broil until the meringue is light brown. Be careful not to burn peaks.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_21181,00.html

COFFEE BAKED ALASKA WITH MOCHA SAUCE
This recipe comes from Recipes in the Mail whose website is at www.atozinthemail.com Questions, comments, bribes, etc . . . bob@atozinthemail.com
Ingredients
Cake:
1 quart coffee ice cream, softened
1 10.75-ounce frozen pound cake
4 large egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon coffee liqueur
1/3 cup sugar
Sauce:
1 1/2 cups freshly brewed strong coffee
10 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoons coffee liqueur
Method
For cake:
Line 9x5x2 1/2-inch metal loaf pan with plastic wrap, leaving overhang. Spoon ice cream into prepared pan, spreading evenly and smoothing top. Cut cake horizontally in half. Arrange 1 cake piece, cut side down, atop ice cream and against 1 corner of pan. Cut remaining cake piece into strips and arrange in pan to cover ice cream completely. Cover with overhanging plastic and freeze until firm, at least 4 hours.
Uncover cake. Invert onto metal or other ovenproof platter. Freeze while preparing meringue. Beat egg whites in large bowl until foamy. Add cream of tartar. Beat until soft peaks form. Beat in liqueur. Gradually add sugar, beating until stiff glossy peaks form. Spread meringue over cake, covering cake completely and sealing meringue to platter. Freeze overnight.
For sauce:
Combine coffee and semi-sweet chocolate in heavy small saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until mixture is smooth. Increase heat to medium. Simmer until sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Cool slightly. Stir in coffee liqueur. (Can be prepared 3 days ahead. Keep cake frozen. Cover sauce and refrigerate; rewarm sauce over medium-low heat before serving.)
Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 500°F for 20 minutes. Bake dessert until meringue is lightly browned and just set, about 3 minutes.
Cut baked Alaska into slices; arrange on plates. Spoon warm sauce around dessert and serve. Serves 6 – 8
http://www.hub-uk.com/foodpages06/recip0272.htm

Meringue Tips:
http://www.baking911.com/howto/meringues.htm#TYPE%20&%20USES,%20PLUS%20TIPS:

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Anyone have any experience with John Hall’s Alaska Tours?

Question by Shorty: Anyone have any experience with John Hall’s Alaska Tours?
My husband and I attended a presentation by John Hall’s Alaska and we were very impressed with the information they provided. It would be nice to have some input from someone who has used them. Thanks

Best answer:

Answer by wickedgirl1973
Here is an article on the AARP site about it:

http://www.aarp.org/leisure/travel/articles/greenberg_alaskatours.html

Here some reviews:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g28923-i349-k1075734-l9785091-John_Halls_Alaska-Alaska.html
http://www.kissalaska.com/about/customers.html

Give your answer to this question below!

WIG, I heard that there is a Ferry service being run in Alaska using a WIG type aircraft, anyone heard of this

Question by gregva2001: WIG, I heard that there is a Ferry service being run in Alaska using a WIG type aircraft, anyone heard of this
I know that Beriev in the former USSR had built and tested several wing in ground effect sea-plane type aircraft for the military, one destroyed in an accident, the other moth-balled. Would a large transport type WIG aircaft be able to go across the Atlantic and/or pacific? or even for work on inland lakes, rivers etc.

Best answer:

Answer by hazbob43
I live in alaska let me check in to this I think I know what you talking about

Add your own answer in the comments!

Anyone taken the Alaska Marine Highway?

Question by Sunshine Girl: Anyone taken the Alaska Marine Highway?
We’re going from Ketchikan to Bellingham. (Driving from Prince Rupert). Any tips? I know it’s a long trip, and probably windy and cold.

Best answer:

Answer by Trent
i have…. very rough deoending on time of the year but mostly all the time it is windy cold rainy and very very rought were the captain says you cant go out on the deck

Give your answer to this question below!

Q&A: Anyone traveled the Alaska Marine Highway (Ferry) in winter?

Question by Denali Rose: Anyone traveled the Alaska Marine Highway (Ferry) in winter?
I’m hoping to go to Washington this winter from Alaska without flying. I know the summer ferry trips are gorgeous, but are the winter trips worth it? Or is it too dark and cold?

Best answer:

Answer by cyanne2ak
They’re cold as hell!!! But, you get what you pay for, so the more you spend the more comfort you’ll be in on the Ferry. I lived in Alaska for 16 years.

Add your own answer in the comments!

has anyone traveled the alaska marine highway? Any recommendations, we taking a cruise & visiting coast guard?

Question by Karen W: has anyone traveled the alaska marine highway? Any recommendations, we taking a cruise & visiting coast guard?
Son stationed in Alaska and we want to visit him & end with a cruise, investigating how to get around and the alaska highway(ships) looks like a fun way to extend out cruise. Any recommendations

Best answer:

Answer by littlemissknowitall
Unless you are traveling for the food and entertainment, the Alaska Marine Highway System (also known as the Alaska Ferry) is just as good as a cruise ship, more relaxed, and a lot cheaper. You can book a stateroom for comfortable sleep, bring snacks on board, and eat in the cafeteria. You will see the same scenery that is seen from the cruise ship, but a lot closer. If you want to take day trips (rafting, flightseeing, etc.) once you reach Juneau, Sitka or Ketchikan, you can do that with the same companies that the tour ship operators use. My suggestion would be to fly to wherever your son lives, have a nice visit, then take the ferries to some other towns. You can either do a round-trip boat ride, stopping in a few ports overnight if you want, and end up back in your son’s town, or you can do a one way and fly out of another town. I am guessing that your son is in Southeast Alaska. If so, don’t miss Sitka. If you can arrive there on a day when there are no cruise ships, it’s a bit less crowded, but it’s worth the visit anytime. Especially Sitka National Historical Park (aka Totem Park), the Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Old Harbor Books, and the local tribal house. A great town to walk around in.

What do you think? Answer below!