Saturday, December 31, 2011

HAPPY NEW 2012! BLACK EYED PEAS AND LEMON CHIFFON CAKE

Well, I've been in a bit of a slump.......Holidays have been really difficult for me but must "get a grip" so here I am again........Lots of traditions for New Years Day meal.......one of course is good luck for the new year if you eat black eyed peas.  Now, I have never found them too exciting by themselves but here is a recipe that perks them up a bit.

Heat a little olive oil in a skillet.......add sliced onion (about 1/2 cup) some sliced mushrooms (about 1/2 cup) and about 2 smashed garlic cloves.......Saute til onions are soft.
Add about 1 1/2 cups chicken broth (could use vegetable broth but I find it very boring.)  Then add about 1/2 Tblsp of tomato paste, a can of drained black eyed peas, salt, pepper and a good dash of Tobasco.  Reduce the heat to med low and simmer about 20 min........until sauce thickens a bit..........Then, optional, stir in a bunch of greens (kale, turnip or mustard greens) THIS is very southern...........I live in the south now! 
I will serve these with baked ham (bone in) mashed potatoes, red eye gravy and corn bread.

I woke up so hungry for this cake.......Lemon Chiffon........not sure where I got this recipe but it is totally delightful!!  Great dessert for you New Years Dinner.

In big bowl combine.......2 cups flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 TBLSP baking powder, and one tsp salt. Mix it up with your hand and make a well in the middle.......
Add 3/4 cup water and 7 egg yolks,1/2 cup vegetable oil, zest of two lemons and 2 tsp vanilla.
Whisk the dry ingredients into the yolk mixture til the batter is smooth. Set aside.
In your mixer beat 8 egg white and 1/2 tsp cream of tarter til frothy.......Increase speed of mixer and beat til the whites are stiff But not too dry.  This was a problem with me for years......in making an angel food cake........I was beating my whites way too long.......SOFT peaks! 
Then fold 1/3 of beaten whites into the batter, folding, then fold in the rest of the whites........Pour into a ungreased tube pan and bake 1 hour at 325 degrees.......when done.......prop your pan upside down on a wine bottle and cool completely.  Then Run a long knife around the edge of the cake and dump out on plate.
Frosting........
Mix together: 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar with 2 Tblsp PLUS one tsp of fresh squeezed lemon juice, 2 Tblsp melted butter and 1 tsp of lemon zest.
Smear this on top and let run down the sides.........just made my mouth water!!

Don't forget to put out bird seed on New Years Day.........this gives you "nesting" good luck!

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