Strawberries, strawberries,

When my neighbour called and asked whether I would like some strawberries never did imagine that I would have 4 huge baskets of strawberries ! The strawberries are more than likely the last of the season but a huge amount of them where still firm and Oh my so sweet.

So without much hesitation I went about cleaning and hulling the stems, while my brain was already thinking up recipes for pies, and tarts and jams, and just plain old freezing these lovely berries for smoothies that I will enjoy long when the hot days of summer are over.

But for today, I knew that Ron would enjoy his favourite pie Rhubarb and Strawberry.

A quick trip to the freezer, a frozen bag of rhubarb and some  of today's strawberries, and voila dessert for supper! Done.

Enjoy.

LEMON CHIFFON CAKE II

I've been absent from  this blog mainly because when things get hectic meals become quick, plain, and unexciting. It shouldn't be this way, because when I look at the title of my blog it puts me to shame. Food should be a celebration, a meal with a loved one should not be rushed. We have become a society of everything being "Now" and "Instant" and sometimes I too need a little reality check, take a breath and just calm down and relax and enjoy the simple things that are meaningful , like preparing a meal with a little more thought and not  something that has become another chore on my never ending list of things to do.

This lemon chiffon cake was just another example of the "OOPPS", in my life lately.
I was in a hurry, seems to be my mantra lately, and wanted just a simple light no fuss cake. I have posted a fancier lemon chiffon cake in the past, but this time just wanted something that would go good with a cup of tea or coffee and could last all week as I  was under time restrictions.
Looking at this cake you can probably already see all the BooBoo's.
1. I used 1 tsp. of baking powder instead of 1 Tablespoon.
2. Then I wanted a light drizzle on the cake and well I don't quite know what happened but it turned into a big blob mess.
Let's just say it was one of those days when you just want to sit down and cry for no reason at all! Yes, I have those days also.
All in all, the cake really was delicious, even with all the mistakes I had made, so you can imagine how really good it can be had I not screwed up.Please give it a try.

LEMON CHIFFON CAKE
3-4 lemons
21/4C. cake flour
11/2C.sugar
1TABLESPOON baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 c. water
6 large eggs separated at room temperature
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

GLAZE
2c. icing sugar sifted, more if needed
2T. lemon juice , extra if needed
1T. heavy cream

DIRECTIONS
In a clean bowl combine the egg whites and cream of tartar.
With a whip attachment beat until soft peaks are formed.
Sift together flour, sugar , baking powder and salt on a sheet of parchment.
In another bowl combine oil, water, egg yolks, lemon juice and some lemon zest whisk until well mixed.
Switch to a spatula and combine dry ingredients into the wet and mix until combined.
Gently fold 1/2 of the white eggs into the batter until almost fully incorporated then add remaining whites until just combined.
Batter should be smooth but foamy, pour into tube pan.
Bake until toothpick comes out clean. 45-50 minutes at 325 degree oven.
Invert on a rack let cool completely for 45 minutes . To loosen pan, tap against counter top until cake disengages.
 For the glaze whisk ingredients adding more lemon juice as needed if too thick. Pour and let it drizzle along the sides.

Rhubarb Sour Cream Pie

I've been absent from blogging for a while, I apologize to my readers who have been missing my entries, but I've always maintained that when blogging becomes a chore I will give it up. Thankfully, that is not the case, it's just a matter of being extremely busy with work, the house, and family obligations.


One of the things that I love about May's bounty is the asparagus and the rhubarb. I especially love the white asparagus, but that will be highlighted in another blog.


Something sweet and tart and good with a cup of coffee was the way my tummy was feeling.


This Rhubarb Sour Cream Pie, is a recipe from The Canadian Living Magazine, I forget which issue but can be easily accessed from their web site or right here.


The recipe also calls for a topping which I chose to omit and instead substituted with a dollop of whipped cream.

Ingredients:

1-1/2 c. flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 c. cold butter cubed

1/4 c. cold shortening cubed

1 tsp lemon juice or vinegar

1/3 c. ice water

FILLING:

4 c. chopped Rhubarb

1 egg

1-1/2 c. sugar

1 c. sour cream

1/3 c. flour

TOPPING:

1/2 c. flour

1/2 c. packed brown sugar

1/4 c. melted butter

Preparation:

In a food processor combine flour, salt, butter, shortening. Pulse until crumbs are formed. In liquid measure beat egg yolk and lemon juice, mix in enough iced water to make a 1/3 cup. Add to crumb mixture and pulse until ball forms. Form dough into a disc and wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 Min's.

On a lightly floured surface roll out dough and fit into a 9" pie plate, trim edges and flute.

Filling:

Arrange rhubarb evenly in pie shell. In a bowl whisk egg, sugar, sour cream and flour until smooth. Pour over fruit evenly.

Topping:

In a small bowl mix flour with sugar, drizzle with butter and mix until crumbly. Spread over filling.

On bottom third of a 450F bake for 15 Min's. Reduce heat to 350F. and bake until edges puff, filling is slightly jiggly and topping is golden about 40 Min's. Let cool before serving.