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. 

Chess

My son asked me to teach him chess. As I set up the chess board, I couldn't remember any of the names of the pieces. I could remember where the pieces went which is a good start. Then I showed him how the pieces moved on the board. It took me several times to explain to my son that he could not place the Queen where ever on the board. He did try some fancy moves but I would send the piece back for him to try again. I didn't play him to win but to teach him the game. From his vast experience of chess, he told me that I was a pretty good chess player. He is so sweet. At least, I remember his name.

Macerated Strawberries with zest of Grapefruit
1 lb. of strawberries
1/4 cup of sugar
2 tsp of grapefruit zest

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, mix the strawberries with sugar.
2. Add the zest and mix well.
3. Allow the fruit to sit for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Source Jen of Sweet Morris
Why so much sugar? It is the amount my children added before I stopped them. Why grapefruit zest? I couldn't find my lemon and it is what I had on the counter. Is it good? Oh, very good!

One year ago......................I made Mexican Chocolate Fudge-Pecan Cake.

Did you already know.........
-Chess originated from India.
-The pieces of chess are the rook, knight, bishop, queen, king, and pawn.
-The player with the white pieces goes first.

Fresa Agua Fresca

Several years ago, I had a family portrait done of us. I keep it on the computer as the wallpaper. My youngest son wanted to us the computer but could not connect online. While he waited, he leaned forward to study the photo. He said to me, "Boy, do I look young." I started to laugh and I replied, "Son, you are young." My seven year leans forward and says so kindly, "Alright, boy do you guys look young." Thanks Son!

 As you can guess, I will be having an entertaining weekend with my son and family. Sunday is suppose to be beautiful. Tomorrow, I will visit my wonderful Mom. Then next day, I will be relaxing! (I have to take advantage of this since the only other day I am pampered is my birthday!) I wish you a Happy Mother's Day weekend too! If you are planning to make a meal for your Mom, I highly recommend this drink. If your Mom doesn't like strawberries, you can try maybe blueberries and lemons. If your Mom likes some rum, it would be a nice addition. The kids couldn't get enough of this drink. The pitcher was gone within minutes. I have already said this is a must on our menu for the picnic. 

Fresh Strawberry Water Drink
2 cups water
15 oz. bag of frozen strawberries, unthawed
2 limes
1/4 cup sugar

Directions:

1. In a blender, add the water and strawberries.
2. Process until smooth.
3. Squeeze the juice of the two limes into the strawberry mixture.
4. Add the sugar to the desired sweetness.
5. Blend well and drink!

Recipe adapted from Myrecipes website.

Did you already know....
 -Fresca is the Spanish word for fresh.
-Agua is the Spanish word for water.
- Fresa is the Spanish word for strawberries. It also is a slang word for a preppy person.

She is making faces in the background!

Happy Mother's Day!