Sharing Old Fashioned Desserts and Comfort Food, come on over to see what's baking!

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Lemon Blueberry Buckle

Blueberries are in season now and they just shine in this moist and lemony cake.  Half of the blueberries are added to the batter and half are spread on top with the sweet lemony crumble.  The berries sink in and "buckle"  dispersing throughout the cake.   You get the sweet juicy berries and tangy lemon in every delicious bite.   This recipe is a keeper!
 
 
Crumb Topping:
1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/8 tsp salt
zest of 1 lemon
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed and at room temp
Cake:
1 1/2 cups plus 2 Tbsps flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
6 Tbsps unsalted butter at room temp
3/4 cup sugar
zest of 1 lemon
2 large eggs at room temp
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups blueberries, rinsed and picked over
Lemon Syrup:
1/3 cup sugar
juice of 2 lemons
Instructions:
Butter a 9" square baking pan.  Make the crumb topping:  mix the flour, sugar, salt and zest together in a bowl.  Add the butter and using your fingers or a fork cut in the butter until you get a coarse crumb size.  Place topping in the fridge until ready to use.
Make the cake:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg in a bowl.  In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter, sugar and lemon zest together on med speed for about 4 mins until light and fluffy.  Add the eggs one at a time, mixing and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.  Add the flour alternating with the sour cream, just until incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.  Add 1 cup of the blueberries and mix on low just until incorporated throughout the batter.  Spread the batter into the prepared pan, then distribute the remaining 1 cup blueberries over the top of cake. 
Remove crumb topping from fridge and sprinkle over berries, then bake for about 45 mins, or until lightly golden and firm on the top.   
Make the glaze a few minutes before cake is done:  combine the sugar and lemon juice in a small saucepan and whisk until blended.  Cook over med-low heat, stirring occasionally for about 8 mins, until syrupy.  Pour the glaze over the cake as soon as it is removed from the oven, to let it seep in over the berries.  To store:  cover in plastic wrap, will keep at room temp for 2-3 days.
 
Recipe adapted from a wonderful cookbook:  Rustic Fruit Desserts, book is available here:  http://astore.amazon.com/rosscoubak-20/detail/1580089763 

Enjoy!




Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Fresh Ricotta Salad with Tomatoes and Pesto

I came home with some farm fresh ricotta amongst the treasures from my local farmer's market this weekend.  I wanted to use it to make something good, but did not feel like cooking after much Easter baking.  So I found this recipe from Giada De Laurentiis at The Food Network for a Whipped Ricotta Salad - no cooking required.  I adapted it just a bit and it turned out to be such a fresh, bright and delicious appetizer at our Easter table.  We served it alongside a basket of thinly sliced Italian bread for spreading on (also acquired at the Farmer's Market) and really enjoyed it!
 
 
Recipe:
1 1/4 cups fresh ricotta cheese or whole milk ricotta
2 tsps. olive oil
1/8 tsp salt
 
1 cup fresh basil leaves
2 1/2 Tbsps pine nuts, toasted
1 tsp white wine vinegar
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
3 Tbsps olive oil, plus 1 tsp
 
1 cup diced ripe tomatoes
 
First whip the ricotta in a food processor fitted with a metal blade with the olive oil and salt, until light and smooth, about 30 seconds.  Spoon out and set aside.  Then put the basil, pine nuts, vinegars, salt and pepper and olive oil in the food processor and process until desired consistency - pesto like consistency.  Toss the pesto mixture with the tomatoes.  Spread the ricotta onto a small serving platter, then top with tomato/pesto mixture.  Serve alongside sliced Italian bread to use as a dip or spread.

 
 
Fresh Ricotta from Mecox Bay Dairy in Bridgehampton:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mecox-Bay-Dairy/137207606300895?fref=ts
All the fresh farmer's market goodies found at The Riverhead Farmers Market: https://www.facebook.com/RIverheadFarmersMarket?fref=ts
 
Enjoy!

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