Daring Bakers

I'm so sorry to report that this month I have not been able to complete the Daring Baker's challenge. Between passover, guests and a wedding in New Orleans this weekend, I have not had a moment to spare. To see all the beautiful creations the DBers came up with, check out the Daring Baker's blogroll.

It's time to Party!

The Perfect Party Cake

The first thing I thought of upon seeing this month's Daring Bakers challenge was that it could not have come at a more opportune time. Morven, of Food Art and Random Thoughts chose Dorie Greenspan's Perfect Party Cake and as luck would have it, I was about to throw a Birthday party for my best friend who had just flown in from Holland. You see, she had already ordered me to make her favourite Chili con Carne and Patacones and we were still debating over the dessert when I discovered our new challenge. We both agreed this was it (and well, I had to make it anyways). How much more fun can you have than a day spent in the kitchen with your best friend, swapping stories, drinking wine and licking buttercream off of the spatula?

Dorie's cake is scented with lemon zest and the buttercream is brightened with a splash of the juice. Though we were allowed to play around with the flavourings, we both adore lemon and decided to stick to the original recipe for both the cakes and buttercream. Both the cakes and the buttercream were a breeze to whip up - no curdling involved! Though Dorie uses raspberry preserves for her filling, I knew I wanted to make the most of the gloriously ripe Florida strawberries I had on hand. After slicing the cakes in half I began to assemble the masterpiece. I spread a thin layer of strawberry preserves on the bottom layer, followed by the buttercream and slices of fresh strawberries. This was continued until the last layer was set on top and the entire cake was enrobed in the snowy white, glossy buttercream. We then liberally pressed on shredded coconut, stepped back and admired our work. It was done - a masterpiece of a cake stood before us basking in its perfection. But even though she was a sight to behold, being beautiful on the inside is what really matters. So when at last it was time for dessert, we lit the candles and sang the tune and my friend made her wish and blew out the candles.

Coconut debris

She also blew off a good amount of coconut! Hmm...we hadn't really considered that being an issue but hey, we all had a good chuckle!

The perfect slice

But boy was she beautiful on the inside! The cakes were moist yet fluffy, with the most delicate a crumb - almost dissolving on your tongue. The scent of lemon worked beautifully with the strawberries, balancing their sweetness with a hint of tart. The coconut added a note of the tropics and a slight chew to the texture. It was unanimous - everyone agreed it was indeed the Perfect Party Cake! It is such a versatile recipe that you really can have fun with the flavour pairings. Be sure to check out the Daring Bakers blogroll to see the creativity in action.

Demolished cross-section

Perfect Party Cake - adapted from Dorie Greenspan's Baking: From My Home to Yours (makes 12 to 14 servings)

Cake:

• 2 1/4 cups cake flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ¼ cups whole buttermilk
• 4 large egg whites
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
• 1 stick (8 tablespoons or 4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ½ teaspoon pure lemon extract

For the Buttercream:

• 1 cup sugar
• 4 large egg whites
• 3 sticks (12 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice

For Finishing:

• 1/2 cup seedless strawberry preserves stirred vigorously or warmed gently until spreadable
• sliced strawberries
• 1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

Centre a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350F. Butter 2 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottom of each pan with a round of buttered parchment or wax paper.

Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk together the buttermilk and egg whites in a medium bowl. Put the sugar and lemon zest in a mixer bowl or another large bowl and rub them together with your fingers until the sugar is moist and fragrant. Add the butter and working with the paddle or whisk attachment, or with a hand mixer, beat at medium speed for a full 3 minutes, until the butter and sugar are very light. Beat in the extract, then add one third of the flour mixture, still beating on medium speed. Beat in half of the buttermilk-egg mixture, then beat in half of the remaining dry ingredients until incorporated. Add the rest of the buttermilk and eggs beating until the batter is homogeneous, then add the last of the dry ingredients. Finally, give the batter a good 2- minute beating to ensure that it is thoroughly mixed and well aerated. Divide the batter between the two pans and smooth the tops with a rubber spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cakes are well risen and springy to the touch – a thin knife inserted into the centers should come out clean. Transfer the cakes to cooling racks and cool for about 5 minutes, then run a knife around the sides of the cakes, unfold them and peel off the paper liners. Invert and cool to room temperature, right side up.

To Make the Buttercream: Put the sugar and egg whites in a mixer bowl or another large heatproof bowl, fit the bowl over a plan of simmering water and whisk constantly, keeping the mixture over the heat, until it feels hot to the touch, about 3 minutes. The sugar should be dissolved, and the mixture will look like shiny marshmallow cream. Remove the bowl from the heat. Working with the whisk attachment or with a hand mixer, beat the meringue on medium speed until it is cool, about 5 minutes. Switch to the paddle attachment if you have one, and add the butter a stick at a time, beating until smooth. Once all the butter is in, beat in the buttercream on medium-high speed until it is thick and very smooth, 6-10 minutes. During this time the buttercream may curdle or separate – just keep beating and it will come together again. On medium speed, gradually beat in the lemon juice, waiting until each addition is absorbed before adding more. You should have a shiny smooth, velvety, pristine white buttercream. Press a piece of plastic against the surface of the buttercream and set aside briefly.

To Assemble the Cake: Using a sharp serrated knife and a gentle sawing motion, slice each layer horizontally in half. Put one layer cut side up on a cardboard cake round or a cake plate protected by strips of wax or parchment paper. Spread it with one third of the preserves. Cover the jam evenly with a layer of buttercream. Layer the sliced strawberries in concentric circles. Top with another layer, spread with preserves and buttercream and strawberries and then do the same with a third layer. Place the last layer cut side down on top of the cake and use the remaining buttercream to frost the sides and top. Press the coconut shreds into the frosting, patting it gently.

Storing: The cake is best the day it is made, but you can refrigerate it, well covered, for up to two days. Bring it to room temperature before serving. If you want to freeze the cake, slide it into the freezer to set, then wrap it really well – it will keep for up to 2 months in the freezer; defrost it, still wrapped overnight in the refrigerator.

Banana-fana-fo-fana

Banana Bread

I love a fresh banana, truly I do. There is something so satisfying about peeling back the thick, crisp skin only to reveal a pale flesh with a delightgfully creamy texture and natural sweetness. Why is it then, that whenever I succumb to buying a beautiful bunch, they simply while away the time in my fruitbowl? Their perfect complexion slowly deteriorates until the dreaded signs of aging begin to show - brown spots. And it doesn't stop there. Soon enough, the spots join forces until the entire skin is covered in blackened patches. The once firm, smooth and flawless skin is rendered saggy, wrinkled and blemished. Does this mean that they should be tossed aside for a new bunch of fresh-faced bananas? Most certainly not! Whilst they might not look as pretty as their younger counterparts, their honeyed flesh more than makes up for their sad appearance. The luscious, ripened bananas are destined for glory - in the form of baked goods.

Though I often experiment with other banana-based baked goods, I can always count on my tried and trusted Banana Bread recipe to hit all the right notes. The candied banana flavour pairs exceptionally well with the aromatic cinnamon. Walnuts add a unctuous crunch to an otherwise, moist, delicately crumbed loaf.

Banana Bread

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 4 very ripe bananas
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts plus 5 halves reserved for the top

Preheat the oven to 350F and grease a loaf pan.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and mix well to combine. In another bowl, cream together the eggs and sugar. Mash the bananas and stir into the egg mixture along with the oil, vanilla and cinnamon. Whisk well to combine. Stir the flour into the egg mixture in thirds, incorporating it well, then mix in the walnuts. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and press the walnut halves in a line into the top. Bake in the center of the oven for 45 minutes to an hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

South of the border.

Salmon Tacos

The latest slew of guests have left me now with a heap of laundry and and empty fridge - and of course fond memories of the time we shared. They have also left me with a smattering of dishes just dying to be featured and it is my solemn duty to fulfill their desires. They will naturally have to wait their turn as it's not polite to cut in line. The archives are starting to get uncomfortably tight and tensions are rising. I fear that if I give some of these new dishes special treatment with an early post (bail) all hell will break loose. These fiesty Salmon Tacos are not happy about the delay in their release date and have been giving me the stink eye all week. So without further ado, I am releasing them into greater society in the hopes that they will behave and reach their full potential of pleasing mass palates.

La Sirena Grille in Laguna Beach, CA serves as the inspiration for these tacos. This tiny take-out shack with only a handful of tables serves up an impressive array high quality and made-to-order Mexican specialties. Their fish tacos and burritos are among my favourites and set the standard for what a top-notch, flavourful and fresh fish taco should be. I must give credit to my brother here for he is the genius who suggested to make fish tacos with my leftovers from Delia Smith's Salmon with Black Bean Salsa. Let me tell you - these tacos did not compare to La Sirena's - they were incredibly superior! Over the years I've perfected the dish and have come up with my own 'secret sauce'. Though I prefer the flavour of corn tortillas, my husband swears by flour so we usually have both! Sometimes rather than tacos we'll make giant, deliciously stuffed burritos. The flavour of these tacos continues to evolve as you chew - earthy, sharp, green, citrusy, bright. The earthiness of cumin, cinnamon and chili powder are elevated by the cilantro, ginger and lime juice. Though there are many strong flavours in this dish they come together in perfect harmony. I guarantee - after just one bite you'll be south of the border sipping your cerveza.

Salmon Tacos - Adapted from Delia Smith's Winter Collection

For the Salmon:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 3 fat cloves garlic
• 2 level teaspoons sea salt
• 1 1/2 inch piece of ginger root, peeled and finely grated
• grated zest of 2 limes, reserve the juice for the salsa and guacamole
• a generous pinch of ground cumin
• a generous pinch of ground cinnamon
• 2 tbs chopped cilantro leaves
• 1 tbs olive oil
• freshly cracked black pepper

With a mortar and pestle, crush the garlic and salt together to form a paste. Add the ginger, lime zest, cinnamon and cumin and mix well. Next add the olive oil, cilantro and a good grind of black pepper. Mix everything together well and spread evenly over each of the fillets. Cover with cling film and allow to marinate for at least half an hour. When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 400F. Bake the salmon on a sheet until just barely cooked through, about 15 to 20 minutes. Flake all of the salmon using a fork and mix together.

For the Black Bean Salsa:

• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 to 3 ripe but firm tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 red chilli, seeded and finely chopped
• a handful of cilantro leaves, finely chopped
• half of a medium red onion, finely chopped
• 1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
• juice of 1 lime (reserved from salmon)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• a good grind of black pepper

Mix together all of the above ingredients and adjust seasoning if necessary.

For the Guacamole:

• 2 ripe avocados
• a handful of cilantro leaves, finely chopped
• half of a medium red onion, finely chopped
• juice of 1 lime (reserved from salmon)
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 2 ripe but firm tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped
• hot sauce
• salt and pepper

Scrape the avocado into a medium bowl and mash with the back of a spoon until it is partly pureed but still retains some chunks. Season with salt and pepper, and add the lime juice and garlic. Mix well. Add the tomatoes, onions and cilantro and a couple dashes of hot sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.

For the Special Sauce:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• juice of 1/2 a lime
• 1/2 tbs chilli powder
• pinch of salt

Mix all of the ingredients in a small bowl and add more lime juice to adjust consistency. It should drizzle off of the spoon.

To Assemble:

• Corn or flour tortillas
• shredded cabbage (undressed coleslaw)

Take a tortilla and spread on a thin layer of guacamole. Next layer on some salmon and top with a spoonful of black bean salsa. Top with cabbage and drizzle with special sauce. Fold it and enjoy with a nice cold beer!

Dare to dream.

Le batard

I tend to dream of the South of France. Rolling hills decorated with neat rows of grape vines, the scent of lavender in the air, the cerulean blue skies with faint puffs of white cotton clouds and the warm touch of the Mediterranean sun upon my skin. And the food…oh how I dream of the food. The array of pungent, oozy cheeses, the peppery salamis and country style pates are all perfect accompaniment to the most outstanding baguettes you can lay your hands on. A crisp yet chewy crust gives way to light innards with scattered pockets of air throughout. I have yet to find such a baguette here in the US. They are often doughy and dense with a crumbly crust, a far cry from their French counterparts. So though I dream of walking to the local bakery and picking up a few fresh baguettes for the day in Plan de la Tour, it never occurred to me to attempt to make them at home. It did occur however to Breadchick Mary of The Sour Dough and Sara of I Like to Cook, the hostesses of this months Daring Bakers challenge (be sure to check out the other entries here). And for that, I owe them many thanks!

Upon seeing this months challenge, Julia Child’s French Bread, I took a sharp inhale of breath and held it for what felt like eternity. Countless doubts flitted about in my mind. Would it be possible to succeed in this challenge? A 17 page recipe?! Three rises? A simulated bakers oven? As I slowly let out the air, an immense sense of hope replaced the doubt as I imagined what joys would await me if this challenge would actually produce a bonafide, French baguette.

Though the recipe itself was not difficult, it was extremely time consuming – about a 10-hour process from start to finish. The dough came together in a breeze - soft, round and springy like a baby’s bottom. The time whiled away between the first and second rise. When it came to shaping, I chose to make batards, a slightly shorter cousin of the baguette. I set them in their linen hammocks and allowed them a final rise. I pre-heated the oven with tile stones to bake the bread on. My first snafu came in the slashing of the baguettes – I used a sharp chefs knife, which did not cut through clean, and I think I made the slashes too long rather than three shorter ones. As I placed the baguette in the oven, I didn’t shove it in far enough for there to be space for the others. I didn’t want to risk messing with it so I decided to bake it on its own and then try to bake the other two together – my second snafu. I brushed the dough with water every few minutes and anxiously waited until the timer went off. I opened the oven door and to my delight, there was a gorgeously tanned batard on the other side! It didn’t have the perfect slashes but it looked good enough to me for a first attempt. My next slashing attempt was worse than the first – jagged slits that deflated the batard! I attribute this to the fact that perhaps it was left out too long, and would not have occurred had I baked all batards at once. My second batard closely resembled an alligator’s snout. The third batard I turned into an epi, and to my utter glee, it was perfection! The hardest part then came in the waiting game, a 2-hour stretch of time that dragged on like a high school exam. By the time I was finally able to break bread, it was 10 in the evening! We sliced open the ‘alligator’ batard and served it with a cheese plate. Though the shape was not ideal, the innards were soft and airy, the crust perfectly crisp and chewy and the flavour - it was enough to transport us back to the South of France. I could not believe that here, in my own home, a batard worthy of Plan de la Tour was born!

The recipe can be found here, courtesy of Breadchick Mary!

Flax lyrical.

Bran and Flax Seed Muffin

Not a month goes by without the appearance of a guest or two (or six) at our home. Take this February for example, we have been booked solid! At this point we have had to turn down requests and reschedule them for March, April and beyond. We seem to have become a bonafide Bed 'n Breakfast - plus lunch and dinner too. It's flattering really, to know that our hospitatlity and company is so highly regarded. As an added bonus, I have more mouths to feed and therefore more taste-testers! Never one to miss an opportunity to experiment in the kitchen, my stove, oven and mixer have been working overtime to keep up with the demand.

Breakfast during the week is usually a free-for-all since I go to work, but every now and again I like to throw in an element of surprise. This week, my in-laws happily arose to the smell of coffee and freshly baked Bran muffins. My worries that a dozen muffins would be too much were soon eased when only four were left by noon! I adapted this recipe from Gourmet magazine to include the uber-healthy Omega-3 benefits of flax seeds and walnuts. Moist, crunchy and just slightly sweet, these muffins are a delectable and healthy breakfast treat. I find they are best eaten when fresh from the oven - still steaming and aromatic and topped with a tiny dab of salted butter.

Bran and Flax Seed Muffins - adapted from Gourmet Magazine, October 1991

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg, beaten lightly
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup dark molasses
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup bran
• 1/4 cup flax seeds
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 tps poppy seeds
  

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

In a large bowl with an electric mixer cream together the butter and the brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Next, beat in the egg, the Greek yogurt, and the molasses. Stir in the raisins, flax seeds, poppy seeds and walnuts.

In a bowl whisk together the flour, the baking soda, the salt, and the bran, then add the mixture to the yogurt mixture and stir the batter until it is just combined. (The batter will be lumpy.) Spoon the batter into 12 well-buttered 1/3-cup muffin tins (I used non-greased silicone muffin tins) and bake the muffins in the middle of the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and springy to the touch. Turn the muffins out onto a rack and let them cool.

A party in the mouth!

Thai Steak Salad and Japanese Style Cucumber-Seaweed Salad

My introduction to Thai cuisine took place when I was growing up in the Netherlands. My mouth starts to water just thinking about the first sip I took of Tom Kha Gai soup. It was a full on assualt on my tastebuds - salty, sour and sweet all hit different notes but played together in perfect harmony. Creamy coconut, spicy chili, citrusy lemon grass and green kaffir lime leaves brought the symphony to its climax. I was thoroughly disappointed when my spoon hit the bottom of the empty bowl. My disappoinment was short-lived as they soon brought out an array of dishes - Laab Moo, Green Curry, Massaman Curry and Pad Thai. It was a sensory overload - the smells, colours and flavours were as amazing to me then as they still are today. I get hit with massive cravings for the bright, intensely fresh flavours of Thai food more often than I should admit. Luckily it's easy to create these flavour combinations at home - otherwise we'd have a hefty take-out bill on our hands!

Though I am an avid supporter of Thai curries, I often reach for my Thai salad recipes when the cravings strike. This steak salad is a regular around these parts. Seared steak gets bathed in a fragrant dressing of fresh lime juice, robust fish sauce, fiery chilis and garlic. Tossed together with crunchy sliced onions, chives and cilantro - this salad is one party in the mouth. I like to serve this with some steamed basmati rice and a simple cucumber-seaweed salad to soothe the spicy bite.

Thai Steak Salad

• 1 lb steak (flank works well)
• 1-2 red chilis
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tbs sugar
• 4 tbs fish sauce
• 4 tbs lime juice
• 2 medium onions, thinly sliced
• 1 package (about 30g) chives, snipped into 1 inch lengths
• a handful of cilantro, roughly chopped

Sear the steak until browned well on both sides, and cook to medium rare or desired doneness. Allow the steak to rest while you prepare the other ingredients.

In a mortar and pestle, mash together the garlic and chilis to create a paste. Scrape the paste into a large bowl, and add the lime juice, fish sauce and sugar. Mix well to dissolve the sugar. Add the thinly sliced onions, chives and cilantro and toss well to combine. Next, slice the steak into thin, even slices and add to the salad. Mix again thoroughly and allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes for the flavours to meld.

Japanese Style Cucumber-Seaweed Salad

• 1 english cucumber, washed
• a handful of dried or salted seaweed, washed and reconstituted in cold water (experiment with different seaweeds - wakame, arame etc.)
• 4 tbs seasoned rice wine vinegar
• 4 tsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
• toasted and black sesame seeds

Thinly slice the cucumber using a mandoline or knife into a large bowl. Drain and squeeze the seaweed of all water and add to the bowl. Add the vinegar, soy sauce and sesame oil and toss well to combine. Add a liberal sprinkling of both toasted and black sesame seeds and toss again. Allow flavours to meld for at least 15 minutes before serving.