Monthly Archives: May 2015

Basic White Cake

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Everybody needs a basic white cake in their wheelhouse, and this is mine. Double it for a layered cake, or keep it simple – either way it is moist and delicious.

Basic white cake, today with a layer of fresh strawberries baked into the middle of the cake and served with softly whipped cream.

Basic white cake, today with a layer of fresh strawberries baked into the middle of the cake and served with softly whipped cream.

1 cup white sugar
1⁄2 cup butter
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3⁄4 teaspoons baking powder
1⁄2 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Grease and flour a 9×9 inch pan or line a muffin pan with paper liners.

In a medium bowl, cream together the sugar and butter. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.

Combine flour and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk until batter is smooth.

Scoop batter into the prepared pan.

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven. For cupcakes, bake 20 to 25 minutes. Cake is done when it springs back to the touch.

This might just be sweet little Stella's first whipped cream beater to lick …. but shhhh - don't tell anyone, Mom and Dad are away!

This might just be sweet little Stella’s first whipped cream beater to lick …. but shhhh – don’t tell anyone, Mom and Dad are away!

This cake is so versatile – tonight I spooned half the batter into the pan, covered with sliced strawberries and then covered those berries with the remaining batter.

Halibut with Caper Beurre Blanc

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Probably one of the simplest and most delicious ways to enjoy halibut – in season right now. Start with halibut from a great fishmonger – well worth it.

Moist, flaky and delicious halibut served with Caper Beurre Blanc.

Moist, flaky and delicious halibut served with Caper Beurre Blanc.

Caper Beurre Blanc

2 finely diced shallots
3/4 cup white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc work well)
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
1/2 cup cold butter, in small pieces

1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
1-2 tbsp capers, to taste

In small saucepan simmer the shallots, wine and vinegar until reduced by about half. Add butter one piece at time, whisking well until smooth and creamy looking.

Keep warm until you are ready to serve halibut, adding capers and dill right before serving – just until capers are heated through.

Halibut

6 serving size pieces of halibut fillet

1/2 cup mayonnaise
zest and juice of 1 lime
1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
2 tbsp assorted fresh herbs, finely chopped (I like basil, parsley and tarragon)
2 tbsp finely chopped chives or green onions
1 tsp black pepper

Blend the mayonnaise well with all the ingredients. Spread over the tops and sides of the halibut.

This can be done earlier in the day, and allowed to rest in the fridge. I’m not a huge fan of recipes that have fish or chicken slathered in mayonnaise – this allows the flavours of the halibut to work beautifully with the herbs and is enough to keep the fish moist. Feel free to add more mayo though if you like.

Bake halibut in 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes, depending on how thick the fillet is. Watch carefully after 15 minutes. The minute your fish starts to flake easily it is done, so remove it from the oven.

Serve with Beurre Blanc sauce – simple white rice is a great carrier for the sauce. We served it tonight with some of the first of the seasons carrots and asparagus, along with fresh garden greens – but I wasn’t fast enough to get a photo of the completed plate!

Ginger Cake with Lemon Sauce

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Sometimes an old fashioned, tried and true ginger cake is so comforting you wonder how it hasn’t been made for a while! Moist and delicious this is the perfect recipe, topped with Lemon Sauce and a bit of whipped cream to create an amazing bite.

Made for Auntie Brigette's 88's birthday dinner, this moist delicious ginger cake was delicious - thanks Vivi!

Made for Auntie Brigette’s 88’s birthday dinner, this moist delicious ginger cake was delicious – thanks Vivi!

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup molasses
1/4 tsp baking soda (YES – again)
3/4 cup boiling water
1 egg, beaten

Cream together butter and sugar.
In separate bowl mix spices, salt, baking powder and flour
Beat first baking soda into molasses until foamy and add to butter mixture
Add the second 1/4 tsp of baking soda to the boiling water and stir well
Add baking soda mixture alternately with flour mixture to butter/molasses mixture
Fold in beaten egg – the mixture will be thin

Pour into greased and floured loaf pan or 8 inch round pan.

Bake at 400 for 30 minutes.

When out of oven dust with icing sugar

LEMON SAUCE

1 lemon, grated rind and juice
1 1/4 cups boiling water
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 cup sugar
pinch salt
2 tbsp butter

Add lemon rind to boiling water, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. In a small bowl mix cornstarch, sugar and salt. Add water gradually – stirring constantly.

Return to saucepan and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes until thickened. Lower heat and cook 5 minutes longer. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and butter. Serve warm over ginger cake.

Hot Layered Bean Dip

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I know, we all have a layered bean dip recipe …. but this one is hot, creamy and delicious! Serve it with taco chips or toasted pita chips. Thanks to Lorellei for sharing this one – a brilliant addition to Sloan’s 5th birthday party.

Any time you have a crowd to please, go for this hot bean dip!

Any time you have a crowd to please, go for this hot bean dip!

1 tin refried beans
2 avocadoes (soft and ripe)
juice of 1 lemon
1 tbsp hot sauce
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 crushed garlic clove
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
3/4 cup grated cheddar
3/4 cup grated mozzarella
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, halved

Grease a 9 x 11 baking/serving dish.
Spread out beans on the bottom of dish
Mash avocado, lemon juice and hot sauce – spread on top of bean layer
Mix sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic and spices – spread over avocado layer
Mix cheeses together and sprinkle over sour cream layer
Top with halved olives, then scatter with green onions and cilantro

Bake at 350 for around 25 minutes, until cheese is golden, bubbly and looking delicious.

This can be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge until ready to heat.