Strawberries & Cream Torte

It is strange to go strawberry picking at the end of April. In Maine, we would go strawberry picking around 4th of July. Last year, we missed it since we hadn't realized it was so early. I'm glad we take them since the kids love strawberries. My youngest daughter tells me that there is something wrong with people who don't eat strawberries. I think she is kidding. When I saw this recipe, I thought the kids would really love it. It has a sponge cake, strawberries, and whip cream. When my oldest daughter visits, I'll have to make this for her. It really is good.  Surprising, the cake is cooked with a meringue topping. It is a good cake for a dessert like this since the cake is very thin. I really would make this dessert again.

Strawberries & Cream Torte
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar and 2 tsp sugar, divided
2 egg yolks
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 egg whites
1 cup white whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line two 8 inch baking pans with parchment paper.  
3. Spray the baking pans with nonstick baking spray and set aside. 
4. In a large bowl, cream butter and 1/2 cup sugar until flight and fluffy. 
5. Add the egg yolks and beat well. 
6. Beat the vanilla.
7. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt. 
8. Add about 1/2 cup of the flour mixture.
9. Alternate with some milk and then more flour mixture. 
10. Continue to alternate until all mixture is combined.
11. Transfer the mixture evenly to the prepared pans. 
12. In a bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy. 
13. Add 1/2 tsp of sugar to the egg whites. 
14. Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. 
15. Spread the egg whites meringue over the batter in the prepared pans.
16. Bake the cake for 12 to 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. 
17. Allow to cool.
18. In a large bowl, combine the heavy cream until soft peaks form.
19. Add 1 tsp sugar to the heavy cream. Combine until stiff peaks form. 
20. In a bowl, combine the majority of the strawberries with 1/2 tsp sugar. 
21. Carefully remove one cake with the meringue up and place on the serving plate.
22. Spread some of the sweetened strawberries over the cake.
23. Add the whip cream and spread evenly over the top.
24. Top with the second layer of cake with the meringue facing up. 
25. Spread some of the sweetened strawberries over top.  
26. Add the remaining whip cream and spread evenly on top.
27. Top with strawberries.

Recipe adapted from Taste of Home.

One year ago.........................I made Kentucky Hot Brown.
Two years ago.......................I made Chicken Enchiladas.
Three years ago......................I made Guacamole.
Four years ago.......................I made Coconut Cream Cheese Cookies.

Did you already know......................
-The German word for cake is torte. 
-A torte is a layer cake. 
-A torte tends to have a filling layer of whip cream, jams, fruit, mousse, or buttercream.
-A torte is made with less flour than a traditional cake and is shorter in structure. 

Chocolate Tart

Warning: this dessert is rich! It is delicious and wonderful. Sometimes you just want chocolate. Maybe you want chocolate because it is tastes so good?  Maybe you want chocolate because you gave your daughter lots of loving care since she had a cold in which she shared? Maybe after having a cold it is a celebration that you can actually taste again?

Chocolate Tart
Pastry Crust:
2 cups whole wheat white flour
3 Tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cups unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
1 egg yolk
2 Tbsp ice water
1 egg white

Filling:
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup milk
10 oz. dark chocolate, chopped
2 Tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 egg white

Directions:

Pastry:

1. In a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. 
2. Add the butter and pulse about 20 times. 
3. In a small cup, mix the egg yolk with the ice water in a small bowl.
4. Slowly, pour the egg yolk mixture into the flour mixture while pulsing.
5. Pulse until the dough comes together. 
6. Form the dough into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap. 
7. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
8. Roll out the dough into a 12 inch circle on a lightly floured surface.
9. Place the dough into a 9 inch tart pan with a removable bottom.
10. Press the dough evenly into the pan and into the scalloped edges.
11. Cut off any excess dough hanging over the edge with a knife.
12. Refrigerate the dough for 15 minutes.
13. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
14. Place the tart pan onto a cookie sheet. 
15. Line the tart with aluminum foil and add pie weights/dried beans to keep the sides down.
16. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and weights.
17. Using a pastry brush, coat the crust with a beaten egg white. 
18. Return the tart to the oven and bake for 8 minutes until golden color.
19. Set aside to cool.

Tart:

1. Lower the heat to 325 degrees F.
2. In a medium pan, heat the heavy cream and milk over medium low temperature.
3. Heat until the cream comes to a slight simmer around the edges.
4. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate. 
5. Stir the chocolate until smooth and melted.
6. Stir in the sugar and salt until incorporated.
7. In a small bowl, beat the eggs.
8. Stir the eggs into the chocolate mixture.
9. Pour the filling into the tart shell. 
10. Bake for 15 minute or until the filling is set and glossy.
11. If any bubbles or cracks form, remove from the oven since it is beginning to over bake (like mine).
12. Allow to cool before serving.

Recipe adapted from Tyler Florence.

One year ago.....................Provence Chicken.

Two years ago...................Lemon Bars.
Three years ago.................Roasted Hazelnut Ice Cream.
Four years ago..................Store Top Chili Mac.

Did you already know.............
-In the US, there are about 1 billion cases of the common cold each year. 
-On average, a 70 year old person probably had over 200 colds in their life time. 
-Most colds last about seven to ten days.

Ciabatta bread

Since I am trying to use up the white flour in the house, I decided to make some bread. I rarely make a sponge when I'm making bread but it really isn't hard. It just takes a little more planning. It came out good. Plus anytime I make bread, my family thinks it is fancy. Soon, I will be making bread with whole wheat flour and I just hope it doesn't come out dense.

Ciabatta Bread
Sponge:
1 package of active dry yeast
pinch of sugar
2 Tbsp warm water (110 degrees F)
1/3 cup warm water (110 degrees F)
1 cup bread flour
Dough: 
1 package of active dry yeast
2 Tbsp warm milk (110 degrees F)
2/3 cups warm water (110 degrees F)
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 cups bread flour
2 tsp salt

Directions:

1. In a cup, combine the 2 Tbsp of warm water with 1 package of yeast with a pinch of sugar. Allow to rest for 5 minutes.
2. In a large freezer bag, add the water with the yeast. 
3. Add the 1/3 cup warm water with 1 cup of bread flour to the freezer bag. Mix well for a couple of minutes.
4. Seal the bag and allow to set in a cool place for 12 to 24 hours to form a sponge.
5. In a large bowl, combine 1 package of yeast with the warm milk. Allow to rest for 5 minutes.
6. Add the sponge mixture to the large bowl with the 2/3 cup water, olive oil, and 2 cups bread flour.
7. Mix until just combined then add the salt.
8. Mix for 8 minutes and the mixture is smooth and elastic.
9. Place the dough into an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rest for about 90 minutes.
10. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and divide into half.
11. Place each half onto a parchment lined baking sheet and form into oval loaves.
12. Dust the top of the loaves with flour and dimple the surface with fingertips.
13. Cover loaves with a dampened kitchen towel and allow to rise for 90 minutes.
14. Preheat oven to 425 with a baking stone in the oven.
15. Transfer one loaf with the parchment paper onto the baking stone. 
16. Bake the loaves one at a time on the baking stone for 20 minutes or until pale golden. 
17. Allow to cool on a wire rack. 

Recipe adapted from Allrecipe.

One year ago.....................................I made Blueberry Oatmeal.
Two years ago...................................I made Creamy Polenta.
Three years ago.................................I made Lemon Cookies.
Four years ago..................................I made Bruschetta.

Did you already know.....................
-Ciabatta bread originates from Italy.
-Ciabatta means slipper since the shape of the bread resembles a slipper.
-Since the bread is very porous, the bread is chewy and light.

Breakfast Bake

Hello Everyone! I haven't meant to be gone so long. I haven't been cooking much. Since I have blogged last, a lot has happened. My oldest daughter came to visit. Also, we went to Maine for a visit. My Dad wasn't feeling the best and was admitted to the hospital. We visited him often. I took my Mom to New Hampshire to visit family. My husband has been diagnosed with diabetes. I have been trying to change our eating habits. I will admit that I have made this dish several times. The family love it. My husband told me that he is going to make it. I'm not saying this dish is the best dish to make for a diabetic. I did double the vegetables. I reduced the potatoes. Also, I used the Jiffy baking mix since it had lower carbohydrates than Bisquick. I figure even if I blog a recipe a week until I get back into cooking more than I can share what I have made and liked.

Breakfast Bake
2 packages (12 oz.) breakfast sausage
2 medium bell pepper, chopped
2 medium onions, chopped
2 cups frozen hash brown potatoes
2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup Bisquick baking mix
2 cups milk
1/4 tsp pepper
4 eggs

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Spray a baking dish with nonstick baking spray.
3. In a large skillet, cook the sausage, bell peppers, and onions until the sausage is fully cooked. 
4. Stir in the hash browns and 1 1/2 cups of the cheese.
5. Spread the mixture into the baking dish.
6. In a medium bowl, combine the baking mix, milk, black pepper, and eggs until well blended.  
7. Pour the baking mixture into the baking dish.
8. Bake the mixture uncovered for 40 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.
9. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
10. Bake for a couple of minutes longer until the cheese is melted.
11. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving. 

Recipe adapted from Betty Crocker.

One year ago............................I made Easter Cake.
Two years ago..........................I made Egg Cupcakes. 
Three years ago........................I made Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Four years ago..........................I made Chocolate and PB Ribbon Dessert.

Did you already know.................
-Type 1 Diabetes: the body has lack of insulin production.
-Type 2 Diabetes: the body ineffectively use of insulin properly. 
-90% of people with diabetes have Type 2 Diabetes.

Madeira Cake

I have this weather app on my phone which I have selected different places. I check the weather for North Carolina and Maine. Also, I check Edinburgh, Scotland since my Dad travels there a lot. I have Sidney on my phone since I know it is Summer there. Also, I check the weather in Florida. Well, I kept telling my husband how warm it was in Florida and he said lets go. My oldest daughter was visiting so it was fun. We went down for a couple of days. When we arrived home, it snowed. How different my children dress in Maine versus North Carolina. In Maine, my children had snow boots, snow pants, hats, etc. In North Carolina, they didn't even put on a thick jacket. Since they had no school for three days, we really didn't go anywhere even to the store.

Winter in NC for my Maine kids!

When my oldest daughter was here, I wanted to make her something for her birthday. She asked for strawberry shortcake. To be different, I made this Madeira Cake. We topped the cake with whip cream and strawberries. My daughter really liked the cake. I had to make conversions for this cake. The cake doesn't have any liquids besides the lemon juice which is different. The cake isn't very sweet and is crumbly. It tasted good but I prefer pound cake.

Madeira Cake
8 oz. butter, softened
1 cup sugar plus additional for sprinkling top
1 lemon
3 large eggs
1 cup self rising flour
1/2 cup all purpose flour

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Spray a Bundt pan or a loaf pan with nonstick spray and dust with flour. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar.
4. Zest the lemon and add to the butter mixture.
5. Add one egg at a time to the butter mixture.
6. Gently, mix in the flours.
7. Add the juice of the lemon to the mixture.
8. Add the batter to the prepared pan. Sprinkle sugar on top.
9. Bake the cake for 45 minutes to an hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Remove from oven and allow to cool on a wire rack before removing from pan.

Recipe adapted from Nigella Lawson.

One year ago................................I made White Chicken Chili.
Two years ago..............................I made Pepperoni Cheese Bread.
Three years ago............................I made Hash Brown Potatoes.
Four years ago..............................I made Baby Back Ribs.

Did you already know...............
-Madeira Cake is an English sponge cake similar to pound cake. 
-Madeira Cake's name was derived as a cake to eat with Madeira wine.
-Madeira cake has no wine in it and is traditionally flavored with lemon.

I am apologizing ahead of time for not blogging in February. I have made a commitment to a family member plus I will be watching the Superbowl-Go Broncos and baking a chocolate tart! Stay warm while I'm gone.