Let Them Eat Cake!

I married into a pretty fabulous family. It's a fact. My husbands maternal grandma was a woman of many talents whom I grew to love quickly as we would sit and talk. She lived at my in-laws for a couple of years before she passed, and during that time she was grieving the loss of her husband, the love of her life. She would talk for hours about the past, recounting details of her time she spent living with her Nanny, her job at the telephone office, and the ins and outs of raising TEN children. Yes, that says ten. I learnt many valuable lessons from Grandma through her stories, and one of them came rushing back to me as I prepared to send my sweet first born off to school this week.
Grandma and Grandpa were not wealthy, and to make financial matters even more tight they added ten children to the mix. So while they may have been raising their brood during the dawning of 'convenience' food, Grandma made every meal from scratch. Between caring for the children still at home, cleaning the home, tending the garden, and making supper, Grandma took the time every weekday to prepare an after school snack. Her snack of choice for ten children [plus friends] was usually cake. Grandma had many reasons for the after school cake tradition, from the fact that she knew everyone enjoyed cake, to ensuring that all her children would be making a bee-line for her kitchen after school - and not someone else's. 
And so it was a given that today, being Darius' first full day of kindergarten, that I needed cake waiting on the counter for him when he returned home. The sweet aroma of vanilla and butter cream drifted through our home after school as Darius came bursting in the door. His excitement was evident as he recounted his first day of school, and his eyes sparkled as he enjoyed the cupcake in front of him. He sat only long enough to devour his cupcake, then he was off to the backyard, running, laughing and playing with his little brother. And it was in that moment that Grandma's wisdom sunk in. It is that moment of laughing, sharing, and filling me in on his wonderful day while he enjoyed something I had lovingly made him, that makes the cake magical. So while I won't always have cupcakes waiting for him [sorry Grandma, but cake is a special occasion treat in our house], Darius will always find something delicious to linger over and spend time with him Mama after school. 

Flourless Chocolate Torte

We enjoyed quite the Sunday supper this week...and my favourite part? That all I had to do was dessert! Ha! But seriously, it was a real treat to have family over for dinner, and they were so super sweet and brought dinner WITH THEM. What could possibly be better than fabulous company and minimal prep time? Well, the cake we had for dessert sure gave it a run for first place, but I still think having Dad and Karen here was the best treat of the night! Since they were bringing supper I insisted on making dessert with my handy sous chef Darius. Darius and I had been perusing this months Food Network Magazine the day before, and while he had deemed most recipes 'bisgusting' there was one picture too good to resist, "oh, let's make that Mom! We could even make two cakes for my birthday - and that would be one of them!" Reading the recipe I could taste the flavors, and truly I was on board with making it right then and there if we had a reason. And so we waited a day to whip up this beautiful cake to share with true gluten free connoisseurs, hoping that the recipe would truly be as good in reality as I felt it would be when I read the recipe. And guys, let me tell you - wow was it ever amazing! Light, yet dense enough to put weight on your fork; chocolaty  creamy, and yet not too rich; smooth as silk on the inside, with a slight crust to the top and sides. Absolutely perfect! We sent the rest of the cake home with Karen [who is gluten free 100% of the time] for true enjoyment, so this picture of the magazine will have to do...and lets be honest, this cake turned out a better looking than my own, so I don't mind using it :)

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Food Network Magazine April 2013, page 159

3/4 c butter, plus more for the pan [I used vegan butter]
1 1/2 c bittersweet chocolate, chopped [I used dark chocolate]
6 large eggs
1/2 c sugar [I used coconut sugar]
Pinch of kosher salt [I used sea salt]
Unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting

1. Preheat oven to 350*. Lightly butter bottom and sides of a 9" spring form pan [I lined mine with wax paper, cut to fit the pan.] Combine the chocolate and butter in a heat proof bowl. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water) and stir until melted and combined. Remove the bowl from the saucepan and let cool slightly.
2. Combine the eggs, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and thick, 5-8 minutes. [I did this in my Bosch mixer, on level 1 for 6 minutes.]
3. Gently fold half of the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture until just combined, then gently fold in the rest.  Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until the top is no longer shiny and barely jiggles and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few crumbs, 35-45 minutes [I baked mine for 45 minutes.] Transfer to a rack and let cool completely in the pan. Remove the spring form ring and transfer to a platter, dust with cocoa powder.

Dad and Karen both deemed this the best gluten free cake they'd tasted, and the boys and I had to agree - it is really good! One of Karen's favorite parts about it was that there is no gritty-ness to it, and there is also no strange after taste; both are common problems with gluten free goodies. So, if you're firmly entrenched in gluten free fare, give this cake a whirl! 

The next gluten free recipe to conquer: pizza crust....

First

Eli turns One today! One! My baby is growing right before my eyes - literally. His sweet adventurous nature has him getting into EVERYTHING, and his big gummy grin gets him out of it all haha! For Eli's first birthday cake, I made a new coconut cupcake recipe, Darius choose to use his special dinosaur cupcake liners, and together we made one very special little boy very happy! If you have a birthday cake to make soon, read on for the recipe, and enjoy some sweet photos along the way!

Clean Coconut Cupcake

an original recipe created by me!

1 1/2 c. stone ground whole wheat flour

2 tbsp. baking powder

pinch of sea salt

1/2 c. shredded coconut

1 tbsp. honey

1 c. coconut milk

1 tbsp. coconut oil

1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce

Mix all ingredients together ensuring that the flour is evenly distributed through the batter. Scoop the batter into cupcake liners, filling them about 2/3 of the way full. Bake in a 375*F for 12-14 minutes, until toothpick inserted into the centre of the cupcake comes out clean. Cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the icing, take a look at this post. Whipped coconut cream is a delicious alternative to icing!

For a little bit more creaminess, I cored the cupcakes, and filled them with coconut cream pudding - so yum!

 Most of our swimming time was spent with Eli in tears, cuddled right into me - poor baby was so overwhelmed with the noise!

The past year has been incredible, getting to know and love every little bit of you has been an adventure, and I am so happy to be your Mommy! Thank you for brightening my day, teaching me new tricks, and laughing along the way. Your smiles are contagious, thighs are rolley-polley, and teeth so tiny yet you still manage to grind them incessantly! Darius loves you so much, and you and Daddy are inseparable!

Happy Birthday Sweet Eli!

Lest we Forget

Where we you ten years ago today? What were you doing? What were you thinking?

I walked up the stairs, glasses on, hair a mess, and crumpled clothes thrown haphazardly on  - I was home sick from school -  I walked into the family room adjacent to our kitchen and froze. The TV was on, replaying the same clip over and over, an image that to this day I can not remove from my mind. My parents were on vacation in New York City, and that morning they were to be visiting the World Trade Center before heading out to Pennsylvania to visit my Mom's brother. Shock ran through me, yet I was still unable to move; unable to do anything but watch. My older brother walked in to find me frozen in place, and immediately let me know that Mom and Dad had called. They had changed their plans after talking to us the day before, and decided to go to Mom's brother's on the 10th instead. So many parents, siblings, friends were lost that day, and I am so very grateful that mine were spared from that tragedy. In honor of all those who were lost, not only in the attack, but in the rescue efforts and war that ensued, I urge you to count your many blessings as you reflect today. Marla over at Family Fresh Cooking has asked everyone to join her in remembering - over cake.

So bake a healthy cake (or a not healthy one), call in your family, and count you many blessings as you share a moment together. Be Grateful. Be Humble. Be Present. And always Remember.