Torta Caprese Bianca al Limone

Traveling is a great source of renewal and inspiration. If it was possible, I would spend my days traveling and exploring new cultures and the flavors they cherish the most.

Italy is one of my favorite destinations. The food culture there, like the architecture, the nature and the people is vibrant, colorful, and simply amazing. I can never tire of the sights and smells of Italy.

Few weeks ago, I went on a short trip to Naples, Capri and the Amalfi Coast. What a stunner of a region it is!

Capri, an island off the coast of Naples, is a treasure trove of breathtaking sights and enchanting citrus scents. I am no Italy expert, but if you ever plan on visiting this Mediterranean country, Capri should rank pretty high on your list of to visit regions.

Capri is famous for its Torta Caprese, which is an almond-based cake with a moist and a crumbly texture. It dates back to the start of the 20th century, and if you read about its origins you will come across various stories. Irrespective of how it started, the cake is now widely consumed by tourists in Capri and the South of Italy be it in its chocolate (cioccolota) or lemon (limone) variations. Both versions have chocolate but the bianca or white version uses white chocolate.  You can't go with either variation of this delicate almond-based cake, but the lemon flavor won my vote.

If I managed to spike your interest in this famous Italian dessert and you want to bring the bright flavors of Capri to your home, this is what you need to do.  (Note, recipe adapted from here).

Ingredients:

• 165 g almond flour (I made mine. I soaked the almonds in hot water for few minutes, then in cold water, spread them over a towel to dry then processed them)
• 100 g fine sugar
• 40 g corn flour
• 3 g baking powder
• 130 g grated white chocolate
• zest of 2 organic and unwaxed lemons 
• 30 g olive oil
• 35 g melted butter
• 4 eggs at room temperature
• 2 tbsp limoncello 
• dash of salt

Method:

In a bowl, mix the almond flour with the sugar, chocolate, salt, baking powder, lemon zest and corn flour.

In another bowl combine the eggs with the limoncello (you can substitute with the same amount of lemon juice) and beat until the batter doubles in volume and becomes pale. Fold in gently the butter and the oil then add the mixture to the flour and mix until well combined.

Pour the batter into a greased pan, covered with parchment paper, and bake for about 30 to 40 minutes in a preheated oven (175C).

Keep in mind that the baking time will vary from one oven to another, the pan size and material. You want the cake to be fully baked but not dry and with a nice brown color. Inset a toothpick in the center of the cake and if it comes out clean, your cake is done. 

The cake batter is rather liquid and during baking the edges may cook faster than the center. To have an even bake, you can use baking strips. Azlin Bloor made this cake and explains how you can prepare homemade baking strips. Her recipe yields a cake with a different texture as the amount of ingredients and method are somewhat different. Nonetheless, both recipes will deliver a scrumptious cake! 

Once baked, leave the cake to cool almost completely before removing it from the pan, then put on a a wire rack to cool completely.

You can serve the cake as it is, but  you can decorate with a dusting of powdered sugar and few fresh fruits to elevate its looks.

All you have to do now is to serve yourself a slice of this torta and enjoy the flavors of sunny Southern Italy.

Tarta de Santiago, a Delicious Northern Spanish Cake!

On my second visit to Spain, before I finally settled in Madrid, I had the chance to visit the enchanting city of Santiago de Compostela.  This city is a top Christian pilgrimage site and at times it rivaled with Rome and Jerusalem. To this day, the city still attracts thousands of pilgrims and regular visitors drawn by the beauty of its architecture and especially its impressive cathedral.

Santiago de Compostela impressed me not only with its spirituality and architecture but also with its signature dessert: Tarta de Santiago. This gluten and lactose free pie, named after Saint James or Santiago and made with only three basic ingredients, is a joy to bake and eat.

This cake melts in your mouth, it has a slightly chewy texture that will remind you of  macaroons.To the basic ingredients, the cake is usually flavored with citrus peel but some add cinnamon and vanilla.

I remember falling in love immediately with the cake just after the first bite. I took two with me when I went back home and my family loved it too. Before settling in Spain for good it was the only sweet I was asked to bring back with me each time I visited the country.

The feast of Saint Santiago is on the 25th of July and that´s why I decided that it´s time to make this cake. It takes less than an hour to be ready, it's very delicious and it can be suitable for people with certain allergies. I really encourage you to give it a try, I'm sure you won't regret it!

For an 18 cm pan you need:

• 2 large eggs
• 150 g almond flour
• 120 sugar (you can reduce the sugar quantity if you want)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• the zest of half an orange and half of a lemon
• dash of salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

First, preheat the oven at 170 C.

There are 2 methods to make this cake, the first one is to combine all the ingredients, pour them in the greased pan and bake for about 20 to 25 min or until top is golden brown.

But if you want a cake that is a bit fluffier, separate the egg whites, beat them with the salt until stiff peaks are formed. Meanwhile combine sugar, almonds, citrus zest, cinnamon and vanilla.
Slightly beat the egg yolks, fold them with the egg whites then slowly add the almond mixture. Pour the mixture into the greased pan and bake for 20-25 min or until top and edges are golden brown.

Once the cake is cooled, dust it with some powdered sugar. This cake is traditionally decorated with the Cross of Santiago. You just need to print one, make a stencil out of it, lay it over the cake and dust the sugar over it, remove it carefully and you´re done. If this seems like a hassle to you, just decorate with some icing sugar.

Serve on its own or with some cream and enjoy a truly delicious Spanish delight. 

Raspberry Cream Cheese Streusel Coffee Cake

Our lives are quite often punctuated by daily activities or rituals that we just wouldn't function without. Mine are breakfast and afternoon coffee! I always need to have something with my comfort cup of coffee and it has to be something sweet of course!

This post's cake is called coffee cake but truth be told has no coffee in it, but it's called a coffee cake because it makes such a perfect companion to coffee. In fact it tastes better when eaten while drinking coffee than if you have it alone.

I have made this cake before but with different fruits, this time I opted for raspberry and a touch of lemon for fresh and floral flavors.

There's nothing overaly complicated with this recipe but it does require some planning and if possible a bit of preparation ahead. The result is really worth all the effort you put into it.  You will get a cake with four layers all harmoniously combined. The first layer is the rich and soft base, the second is the creamy and sweet cheese layer, topped  by the third layer of tangy raspberries and finished by the last crumbly cinnamon and crunchy almonds layer! 

Let´s start caking. I used an 18 cm springform pan for this one. 

For the Streusel layer :

• 20 g cold butter, cut into small cubes
• 20 g sugar 
• 40 g flour
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• dash of salt

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and with the tip of your fingers bring everything together until you get a sandy mixture! I made this layer the night before, and left it in the fridge.

Cake layer:

• 1 egg at room temperature
• 80 g sugar
• 60 g soft butter
• 60 g sour cream or yogurt
• zest of half of a lemon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 125 g cake flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder plus 1/4 baking soda
• dash of salt

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and set aside. 

Cream butter and sugar, add the sour cream, mix until well combined, add the egg, lemon zest and vanilla and mix again. Add the flour mixture, mix for a few seconds until combined. Spread the batter on the prepared pan, making sure that the edges are about one cm higher, making room for the cheese layer. 

Cheese layer:

• 125 g cream cheese at room temperature
• 40 g sugar
• zest of half a lemon
• 1 small egg (about 50 to 55 g)
• 100 to 125 g of fresh raspberries and almonds, preferably slivered (optional)

Mix the cheese with the sugar and lemon zest, once combined add the egg and mix again until you have a homogeneous mixture.

Now pour the mixture over the cake layer, arrange the raspberries until they cover the cheese layer. 

Sprinkle the streusel all over the top and finish with the almonds if using!

Bake in a preheated over (160C) for about 40 min. It will be ready when the edges are golden brown, the middle is slightly soft and the streusel is golden in color!

Leave it to cool in the pan for 10 to 15 min, then remove and let it cool completely. You can sprinkle some dusting sugar or have it as it is with some fresh raspberries and some coffee of course!

A Gluten Free Chocolate Cake with a Spicy Twist!

It must be one of my favorite combinations: chocolate and salted caramel. Add to the chocolate chili, you will get an exquisite dessert that combines spicy, chocolaty, nutty and sweet flavors.

This cake is adapted from a Jamie Oliver´s recipe, it´s really easy to make and you can add your own twist to it. In my case I added chili, I just love how chocolate and the strong hot chili flavor combines to the perfection. I have used this combination before and for me it's a winning one. Here you can check my chili chocolate soufflé recipe, it´s really worth a try.

To make this cake you need few ingredients and a little effort.
For 4 to 6 portions you need:

• 2 large eggs, separated
• 100 g dark chocolate (I used a 72% variety)
• 20 g sugar (if you don´t want to  add the caramel you might want to add more sugar)
• 80 g ground almonds
• 20 g butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla paste
• dash of salt
• 1 chili finely chopped (use less if you can't handle the spice or more if you can!)

First melt the chocolate with the butter. I usually  melt them over a bain marie, but this time I used the microwave. The results are similar. In the microwave you need to carefully melt the chocolate in short bursts of 20 to 30 seconds at a time. Don't be tempted to leave the chocolate for a long time, as chocolate can burn really fast in the microwave if you are not careful. Ideally, put the mix of chocolate and butter for 30 seconds, remove it, stir and put it back again for another 30 seconds until the chocolate melts. Use shorter cycles once you see most of the chocolate pieces have started to melt. 

In a separate bowl, whisk the sugar the eggs yolks, until the mixture thickens and becomes pale yellow.

Add the salt to the egg whites and beat until you have stiff peaks.

Now combine the yolk mixture with the chocolate, add the vanilla, the chili and the almonds, Mix until well combined. Now add 1/3 of the egg whites and beat until you have a loose mixture, then gently fold the rest.

I used an 15 cm springform for the amount of batter, which I lined with a parchment paper and covered with baking spray.

Pour the batter into the pan and bake between 15 to 20 min in a preheated oven (175C). The longer cooking time will give you a more set and cakey cake whereas the shorter cooking time will give you a soft and gooey center! You choose depending on your preference.

If you want to serve it with salted caramel here is my recipe for a luscious caramel sauce.This cake is a must try if you love adventerous food combinations or if you are a fan of heat in your food!

Serve the cake with a dust of cocoa powder and coffee, or add the caramel on top of a vanilla ice cream scoop, and get one amazing dessert that will please everyone!

Pear and Honey Cake.

I love fruits, but quite often I don't eat enough, so whenever I am baking something sweet, I often go for recipes that do well with fruits whether fresh or dried. Some fruits are best served fresh along with the baked sweets, but others really shine when baked. Fruits such as apples and pears are of this latter category.
This recipe incorporate pears which are excellent when baked. In fact, I think they taste even better when cooked properly and with respect.

This simple recipe features pears as the star ingredient spiced up with cinnamon and some citrus zest. It is quite simple, easily prepared in under 30 minutes, and is perfect served with tea or coffee.

For a 15 cm pan you need:

• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 80 g sugar
• 30 g honey
• 120 g flour, all purpose
• 100 g softened butter plus extra 10 g for the pan
• 3/4 tsp of baking powder
• dash of salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• zest of half a lemon and half an orange
• 2 tbsp of orange juice (or lemon)

For the pan bottom you need:

• 2 pears 
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp of chopped almonds
• a sprinkle of cinnamon and the extra butter

Start by generously buttering the bottom of the pan, and the sides too. Sprinkle the sugar, cinnamon, and the almonds and set aside.

Combine flour, baking powder and salt and set aside.

Add the cinnamon to the honey and heat a bit until it becomes rather runny.

Cream the butter with the sugar and the honey, using a whisk or a wooden spoon, (but save a tbsp of the honey to drizzle on the pears later). Add the eggs and mix well. Add the lemon and orange zest then fold in the flour. Finally add the orange juice and mix until combined.

Before adding the batter to the pan, slice the pears and arrange the pieces. Drizzle the remaining honey over the pear and pour in the batter.

Bake the cake for about 35 to 40 min in a preheated oven (180C). Let the cake cool about 5 minutes in the pan before removing it.

The cake is great with coffee, but you can also serve it with whipped cream, or Greek yogurt and honey. Rich and moist, it is perfect for breakfast, picnic or for a lazy and relaxed coffee break!

A journey into the 1001 Arabian Nights world of sweets and a recipe: Hays cookies

Two years ago I started this blog and a whole world opened up for me on the internet. I discovered  new ingredients, amazing techniques but above connected with amazing people who are fond of food and gastronomy like myself.

On Google Plus I´m an active member of several food communities, one of them is called Foodies, a very active community where I met amazing people. Foodies feature a monthly theme and this month's theme is "Cook A Book" where you have to share a recipe that you have read in a book be it a recipes book or a novel. I really liked the idea but finding that specific recipe you really wanted to share was quite challenging.
I thought really and in my mind came images from the world famous ancient book of 1001 Arabian Nights. It's a book that described with vivid imagination the world during those fabled times. Of course, the book drew upon the lives of ordinary people and featuring several aspects of their living, including the foods they enjoyed and the sweets they craved for.It this this enchanted world of love and intrigue, of djinnis and flying carpets, of Shehrezade and Aladdin that inspired me to make this recipe.

The 1001 tales offered an insight into the amazing foods the heroes of the plots enjoyed. Delicious ingredients like dates, figs, all kind of tasty nuts, honey and also the amazing world of aromatic spices like cardamom, cinnamon and much more were the basis of the food featured in the tales and the staple of much modern Middle Eastern cuisine.

After some research I decided to make a recipe I've never heard about before:unbaked cookies called Hays. As much as I love baking, but the chance any time I steer away from the oven is pleasant and even magical like the Arabian Nights tales.
The cookies featured in this recipe are so simple to make but I guarantee the result will amaze you as it amazed me. They are packed full with the flavor of nuts, honey and spices. What more can you ask for?

For these nuts cookies you need:

• 30 g pistachios
• 30 g almonds
• 40 g  bread crumbs or cookies crumbs
• 1/2 tsp of cinnamon
• 20 to 30 g brown sugar (I used panela)
• 1/2 tsp of honey
• 15 g of butter
• Few drops of rose water
• A pinch of grated nutmeg

In a food processor combine all the ingredients except for the honey and butter. Process until you get the consistency of fine crumbs. Add the honey and mix and finally add the butter and mix until well combined.

With a small spoon form quenelles with the cookie dough, just fill the spoon and press it againt your palm then carefully release the cookie on wax or parchment paper. You can make different shapes if you want.
Once finished forming your cookies, put them in the fridge for at least half an hour before you serve them.

Try these cookies with a cup of minted tea or coffee and enjoy a trip to culinary wonderland where you  imagine yourself hovering atop of a magic carpet cruising over the gold and white castles of ancient Baghdad and Damascus!