Perfection Pound Cake

I really love pound cake and I have tried different recipes for this dessert (I usually use Martha Stewart's recipe which uses 4 sticks of butter!). I found this in one of my new cookbooks, Baking: From My Home To Yours by Dorie Greenspan. This pound cake is less sweet than other recipes that I have tried, which would make it delicious with some ice cream and berries. Sorry that there is no pic because we ate it before I could take some! :) Enjoy!

Perfection Pound Cake

2 cups all-purpose flour or 2 1/4 cups cake flour (she suggests cake flour for a more delicate cake. I used all-purpose and it was still great)
1 teas baking powder
1/4 teas salt
2 sticks (8 oz) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teas vanilla extract

Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter a 9x5 inch loaf pan or an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch loaf pan. Put the pan on an insulated baking sheet or on two regular baking sheets stacked one on top of the other.

Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.

Working with a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar on high speed until pale and fluffy, a full 5 minutes. Scrape down the bowl and beater and reduce mixer speed to medium. Add the eggs one at a time, beating for 1 to 2 minutes after each egg goes in. As you're working, scrape down the bowl and beater often. Mix in the vanilla extract. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour, mixing only until it is incorporated--don't over mix. In fact, you might want to fold in the last of the flour, or even all of it, by hand with a rubber spatula. Scrape the batter into the buttered pan and smooth the top.

Put the cake into the oven to bake, and check on it after about 45 minutes. If it's browning too quickly, cover it loosely with a foil tent. If you're using a 9x5 pan, you'll need to bake the cake for 70 to 75 minutes; the smaller pan needs about 90 minutes. The cake is properly baked when a thin knife inserted deep into the center comes out clean.

Remove the cake from the oven, transfer the pan to a rack and let rest for 30 minutes.

Run a blunt knife between the cake and the sides of the pan and turn the cake out, then turn it right side up on the rack and cool to room temperature.

January Cooking Classes

I took two cooking classes in January, which both happened to be taught by Chef Nancy (who is my favorite instructor at the Merc); Exotic Moroccan and Savory Pastries. The Moroccan one was AMAZING. Moroccan food is similiar to Indian food, but without burning your mouth off. Basically all the spices and favor without the extreme heat. The main reason that I took it was to learn how to make a chicken tagine which means that I can buy one of these pretty pots:

Nancy said that we don't need to buy a special tagine pot to make the dish, but I'll definitely keep my eyes open for one if I end up going to Spain this year. She made a harissa sauce (Moroccan hot sauce) which was incredible. I was just reading Gourmet magazine yesterday and noticed a soup recipe where they also used the harissa sauce (I'll have to try that out soon). In the chicken tagine, which was a complex dish made of 3 different recipes, she added preserved lemons (basically lemons preserved in salt for a long time). I need to start making these lemons, so that I can make this tagine dish in the near future. Amazing.

Last night, I took the Savory Pastries class. I had a nice surprise when I got to class and found someone that I knew there! In December, Terry had taken a class that I had also gone to, so I was glad to see her with her high school aged son (what a great thing to do with your older children). Nancy taught us how to make potstickers (her filling and sauce was yummy, but I prefer a more crunchy bottom), empanadas (these were amazing and I can't wait to try these at home) and samosas (Chris made me take this class just for these).

In a couple of weeks, I'll be taking another class of hers (I should just become a groupie) where she will be teaching recipes from her old Kansas City restaurant. I am really looking forward to that one. The Merc is also trying out a new type of cooking class where you pay a little more and it includes a cookbook that the chef chooses. Nancy will be teaching the first one, Vegetarian Thai, in March and I'll be signing up for that one for sure (even if I am not a vegetarian or becoming one anytime soon). I'm going to try out some of these recipes from the classes and post them soon!

My Blog

1. I have been slacking.
2. I have good reasons that don't need to be shared on this blog.
3. I haven't really been cooking anything new since I got back from the holidays. Mostly because my hubby was gone for over a week for work.
4. I have admitted that I will not meet my current goal of using all my cookbooks by my birthday (which is only 6 months from now--yikes)!
5. I readjusted my goal to the end of the year. This is also to accommodate the nice additions to the collection that were purchased during the last month or so (about 10+ more) and any more that make their way into my house this year!
6. I need to make more of the recipes from my cooking classes to post because they really are excellent and need to be shared.
7. I will try to figure out how to post in a more timely manner. Maybe every other day, three times a week, etc.? I am still working on this one.
8. I am starting to get really tired of the grocery store. I am definitely more motivated to cook when I can shop at the farmer's market.
9. I can't wait till spring.
10. I'll be posting a new recipe and about my Jan cooking classes today. :)

A Recipe From My Friend

Amy emailed me this recipe after making it a couple of times for her family. I forgot to take a picture of it, but it was wonderful. If you like shrimp and rice, give this recipe a try. Thanks Amy for the recipe!

Cajun Shrimp Casserole

Chocolate Covered Bananas

***Here is a recipe that I forgot to post from last month. It's a great one for those of you who have kids at home!

Many years ago, I purchased two of Emeril's children's cookbook, hoping that Nathaniel would want to start cooking with me in the kitchen. While he has started helping me cook more (mostly when it comes to desserts), he was more willing to tell me what recipes he wanted me to make for him! So this is one of the recipes that he does like making with me. I am not usually a big fan of bananas (I don't like the mushy texture of it), but I do love frozen bananas!



From Emeril Lagasse's There's a Chef in My Soup! cookbook



You'll-Go-Ape For Chocolate-Covered Bananas

8 servings



4 bananas

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup lightly toasted coconut or 1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts (or 1/4 cup of each)



1) Peel bananas and cut them in half crosswise so that you now have two short pieces.

2) Insert an ice-cream stick or half of a bamboo skewer into each piece so that it has a handle.

3) Wrap each banana half in a piece of aluminum foil and place in the freezer until frozen solid, 4 to 6 hours or overnight.

4) Place the cream in a small saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Remove from the heat.

5) Place the chocolate chips in a medium mixing bowl, then carefully pour the hot cream over the chips. Let the chocolate and cream sit undisturbed for a minute or two, then stir with a small spoon or rubber spatula until the mixture is blended and smooth and the chocolate is completely melted, about two minutes.

6) Place the coconut in a small mixing bowl. Or if using nuts, chop into small pieces and place in a small mixing bowl.

7) Remove bananas from the freezer and unwrap.

8) Cover a small baking sheet with waxed paper or foil.

9) Holding the stick or skewer, dip one banana half int he melted chocolate and cream until completely coated.

10) Sprinkle the coated banana with about 1 tbs of either the coconut or peanuts.

11) Set banana on the covered baking sheet and repeat with the remaining bananas and coatings.

12) Serve immediatedly or cover tightly and return the bananas to the freezer until ready to serve.

Brother's Birthday Lunch

My brothers both have birthdays in December, then Nathaniel is a New Year's Eve baby. I get pretty tired of celebrating holidays by Christmas time. Since my brother's birthday is three days after Christmas and then three days later is Nathaniel's, so sometimes a chore to figure out where to eat for my brother. Nathaniel always picks sushi (his favorite), so my brother usually tries to pick something quite different. In the past, we have eaten anything from steaks to Swedish food to French to seafood. This year, we went to Charlie Palmer's restaurant in Bloomingdale's at South Coast Plaza. For you foodies out there, you probably already know who Charlie Palmer is (not to be confused with Charlie Trotter, another well-respected American chef). But for those who don't, Charlie has written four cookbooks and owns restaurants all over the States. I believe this is his first restaurant in Southern California and it was well worth the wait.

The adults decided to have the three course prix-fixe lunch, while Nathaniel dined on Kobe steakburgers and freshly made french fries.

First Course:

ARUGULA AND FRISEE SALAD BLUE CHEESE, WHITE BALSAMIC, GOLDEN RAISIN

I picked this one, while my hubby picked the soup. I usually don't like blue cheese, but this one was very light and palatable to my taste buds.

or the ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH BANANA SOUP HAM HOCK AND APPLE RAVIOLI

I don't like fruit in my soups, so I passed on this one. But Chris and my mom really raved about it. They brought out the soup bowls with the only apple ravioli in it, then poured the soup out from small containers at the table. Very elegant.




Main Course:

BUTTER POACHED BABY SHRIMP MEYER LEMON RISOTTO, PARSLEY ESSENCE

This is what my mom and I got. It was good, but I wished that I would have picked the steak.


CHARCOAL GRILLED HANGER STEAK ROSEMARY FINGERLING POTATOES, CARROT EMULSION

This steak was fabulous! The flavors were amazing and it was cooked to perfection. I kept stealing bites off my husband's plate.
Nathaniel's Kobe Steakburger Sliders. These came with a tuffle mayo on the side. The sliders were delicious (I took a very small nibble), but not sure that the fries were worth the $8 or whatever they cost to go along with them.

Dessert:
MOLTEN CHOCOLATE PRESERVED MEYER LEMON, ESPRESSO ICE CREAM

I am not a chocolate person, but almost everyone else ordered this dessert. They even "accidentally" made an extra one for Nathaniel, who didn't eat the prix-fixe meal. He LOVED it. He even loved it more when my mom gave him most of hers!

APPLE TARTE TATIN CRANBERRY SEMIFREDDO, CINNAMON ICE CREAM

I LOVED this one. The ice cream was very tasty and the cranberry semifreddo (a lot like a mousse) was good enough to still think about.

It was an amazing birthday lunch. Nathaniel keeps talking about the sliders and wants to go back next time we are in town. Can't say that I blame him!

Foodies in Santa Fe Part 4--Dinner #2

We had spent most of Sunday walking around the Plaza area. Right before the holidays, the Native Americans bring their goodies to sell. I am not big into the turquoise jewelry, but there was plenty to choose from if you are. We did pick up an etching of a cat from a local artist that Nathaniel picked out. While walking around, we made sure to look at all the menus posted in front of the restaurants to see which places might be a good one for the whole family because while Nathaniel isn't as picky as some children, he still has his dislikes.

We continued to go back to read the menu at the Sleeping Dog Tavern, which is an upscale bar and grill that you are able to peep into the kitchen from the street. After watching the dishes that the chefs were preparing, we decided that we would give it a try.

When we got there around 7:30, there was no one eating at all (people were at the bar watching football) and we were questioning our choice of restaurants. But we are worries were swept away when we got our delicious food.

Nathaniel's fish and chips, made with salmon (his favorite):

Chris' duck confit with mashed sweet potatoes

And my favorite dish, Local Free-Range Steak with Horseradish Butter. Yummy!

The restaurant did start to get busier the longer we sat, so we didn't end up being the only ones eating in there. They also had some yummy beers on tap. Chris and I like to try out local beers whenever we travel somewhere. A great dinner to cap off our trip to Santa Fe!

Foodies in Santa Fe Part 3--lunch

Tecolote Cafe is another Roadfood find restaurant that is only open till 2 PM.



Pork tamales covered in green chile and cheese with pinto beans and hominy. The tamales look small, but they are actually quite thick and filling.

Chris' original plan had been to eat a green chile burger (a must in Santa Fe), but we had only eaten 3 hours before (we had to rush to get there before it closed since the burger joint that we first planned on going to was closed on Sundays). So instead, he opted for the smaller dish Frito pie--green chile, Fritos, cheese, ground beef, beans, lettuce, onions and tomato.

Nathaniel ordered a plain cheeseburger that was so tasty that he ate most of it before I could get my camera out. They also came with these delicious, thinly sliced, lightly fried potatoes instead of regular fries. At first, Nathaniel wasn't a fan of them, then he just continued to eat them until they were all gone!

Foodies in Santa Fe Part 2

Harry's Roadhouse is off the highway right outside of Santa Fe. It's a great eclectic restaurant that we found out about on the Roadfood website again. Since it was Sunday morning, we lucked out by only having to wait for 10 minutes when we got there for breakfast. When we left, there was a huge line waiting.

Chris' dish: Sunny side-up eggs over smoked salmon potato hash.

Mine: Huevos Divorciados, one corn tortilla with green chile sauce, shrimp & cheese, the other with red chile sauce, avocados on top of refried black beans (I am ok with black beans, but usually don't eat them all) and a homemade flour tortilla to soak up all the sauce. Messy, but really tasty.

Nathaniel wanted one of their famous cinnamon rolls. It was baked in a huge muffin tin. He loved it and the side of ham that he ordered too.

Santa Fe was cold when we were there, so we were luckily seated next to a fireplace. But during the warmer months, it would be lovely to sit in the sitting area that overlooks the back patio. I recently read that the desserts are very well known, so I guess we'll have to go there for lunch or dinner next time. Oh, bummer.

Foodies in Santa Fe part 1

During the 2007 holiday season, we drove out to So Cal via Santa Fe, NM (and Phoenix...not that exciting). Chris and I ended up loving this foodie destination, so we ended up doing it again for two nights this trip. We have not had a bad meal in this city and the quality of the ingredients is very evident at the restaurants that we ate at. Being a foodie, the thought of having Trader Joe's, Whole Foods and Wild Oats within a very small 1-mile radius makes me very happy because it's a sign that the people of Santa Fe care about their food. I have often read in food magazine about the Santa Fe chefs who insist on fresh, local ingredients, which means usually means quality food. This does mean that eating in the NM capital won't be cheap, but it's worth it for a foodie.

This time, we also had my foodie son in tow (he flew last time), who is a very vocal food critic. After being a picky eater as a little child, he has grown into a young teenager, who will try everything at least once. We started with a Roadfood.com find that we had ate at the year before, The Plaza Cafe. I have actually been dreaming about eating there again since we decided to drive to CA again (heck, I am still thinking about it). The restaurant is in the plaza (go figure) and was packed when we got there at 8 PM. Everyone was very happy with their meals (including the food critic child, who happily ate the entire plate). The one thing that I wished that I would have taken a pic of was the dessert that Nathaniel got to go (there was no way that even my two endless pit boys could eat another bite at the restaurant). He picked the chocolate cake, which consists of multiple layers of cake and frosting. It was so big that the chocoholic couldn't finish the cake and only ate half of it (he did manage to eat the rest in the morning).

There are our pics from our first meal in Santa Fe:
My dinner salad. I hate when you order a dinner salad and they bring you iceberg lettuce, a couple of shavings of carrot and a big tomato wedge. This was definitely a major improvement on a dinner salad--jicama, lots of carrots, homemade ranch (I think it might have been a Southwestern one, but very tasty. I need to start taking notes at restaurants) and a small scoop of a tasty bean salad (I ate the green beans, but not the pinto).

Nathaniel's dish was fish tacos. He has recently discovered that he loves fish tacos. I believe this picture was taken after he had actually already eaten one. BIG plate of fish tacos. Very tasty. He ate all of them, but not the plate of rice and beans that also came with his meal. The two little cups of sauce are homemade green chile sauce (my favorite) and fresh salsa.

Chris ordered a pork dish, the Anchiote Pork Plate--browned pork with Yucateacan spices and topped with your choice of chile (always green for us) and grilled onions. It was amazing. My favorite out of all of them, but then they were all really delicious.

Cashew Mole enchiladas--chicken enchiladas with mole sauce and sour cream. There is two in there and they were big. I could barely eat one (my hubby happily finished number two after cleaning his plate).

I did not get a chance to take a picture of the HUGE sopaipilla that comes with the Southwestern meals (there is also a good variety of Greek stuff since the owner is Greek, but we never get that far in the menu). They are always freshly made and come hot from the fryer. Nathaniel had never had one and I told him fried Mexican doughnut that you can pour honey on. Sold. Another sopaipilla fan. Maybe I couldn't finish my meal because I ate my sopaipilla and most of Chris', but I'll never admit it. :)

P.S. Nathaniel got home from school today and I showed him the pics of this blog entry. He is still talking about this meal!

Happy 2009!

I hope that everyone out there had a great holiday season! Best wishes for a great 2009! The holidays seemed to have just flown by and now it's finally all over. Phew! I have been on vacation at my parents' house for awhile now and all this relaxing has made me lazy with the blog. I have been eating non-stop (my mom thinks that we don't eat in KS or something) and our happy stomachs will be sad to leave in a few days.

I'll be back home on Monday, so expect some new recipes and restaurant food pics soon. Hope my readers haven't given up on me! I promise I'll be back to blogging more regularly once I get home! Happy New Year!