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Ultra Lemony Lemon Bundt Cake with Almond Glaze

Ultra Lemony Bundt Cake with Almond Glaze

#CitrusLove

“In my basket, under my clothes, you’ll find two books—new, so be gentle with them. It’s two volumes by a man the world is going to hear from. You can start reading if you want and it will raise your lid a little.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

When I won Mary’s give away and received Baked Occasions by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito I was (almost) overwhelmed with all the fantastic recipes. This cookbook is just as scrumptious as Baked Elements! How about Pistachio White Chocolate Cheesecake or Chocolate Pop Tarts with Peanut Butter and Jam Filling? Black Forest Cupcakes and Strawberry Supreme Cake have been bookmarked. When I found Ultra Lemony Lemon Bundt Cake with Almond Glaze there was no turning back. How could I resist making a cake that required the zest of 10 lemons! This was a cake that I had to make. What did I do with all the leftover lemon juice? Made lemonade!

This Bundt is moist and lemony. Magically the rum and almond flavors meld with the lemon to make a mighty fine cake. If lemon desserts are a favorite this is a must bake cake. This cake travels and keeps well and can be made a day before it is eaten. The recipe for Ultra Lemony Lemon Bundt Cake with Almond Glaze can be found here. READ MORE . . .

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Garlicky Kale with Beans

Garlicky Kale with Beans

The Easiest of Recipes

“Charles placed seven eggs on top of the warming oven and built his fire carefully of small pieces of kindling until it burned fiercely. He put the skillet down next to the flame. His sullenness left him as he fried the bacon.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

This is barely a recipe. It started, as many things do, with items from the pantry. There was the push to get dinner done and fresh kale that needed to be used. The first time I stirred together just garlic, kale and beans. It needed more and I added the red pepper flakes along with the garlic. Later lemon zest and a sprinkle of cheese made this into a recipe. It has become a favorite. Fresh, quick, full of healthy ingredients, an easy recipe like this deserves to be shared. READ MORE . . .

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Thirst Quenching Lemon, Mint and Cucumber Water

Lemon-Mint-Cucumber-Water

The Steinbeck Festival, Tour of Hamilton Ranch

“I must depend on hearsay, on old photographs, on stories told, and on memories which are hazy and mixed with fable in trying to tell you about the Hamiltons. ”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

The annual Steinbeck Festival is held in Salinas each year. I try to attend at least one event that grows my Steinbeck knowledge. Even better is a learning experience that includes local history and the novel, East of Eden. This year a tour of the Hamilton Ranch in King City was an event I didn’t want to miss. Susan Shillinglaw, a local Steinbeck scholar and author was our tour guide. READ MORE . . .

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Daffodil Cake

Daffodil Cake

In the Box

“Kate rolled the paper and tied the ribbon around it and put it in the box and closed the lid.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

My family history includes a predilection for collecting. For some of us the tendency often veers into hoarding. Like a beacon I can see the disease shining on my collection of cookbooks and cake plates. And baking pans. I still have my button, ribbon and lace collections. One of my brothers who hoards without shame brought me a box stuffed with papers and a few rusted and bent enamel ware cups. I added the cups to my growing stash of enamel ware and wondered what to do with the stack of papers. Although my brother can read, he struggles. His Dyslexia has a more powerful grip than mine. It never occurred to my parents that we all had learning disabilities. We just needed more discipline and better study habits. The schools we attended didn’t notice either. I learned to work with it. My spelling and pronunciation is memorized. My brain doesn’t understand phonics. Although spellcheck is phenomenal sometimes it has no idea what word I want. READ MORE . . .

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Cherry Cream Cheese Cookies

Cherry Cookie

A Perfect Valentine

“Come here, Kate said, and while the girl waited beside the desk Kate slowly addressed the envelope and stamped it. I want you to run a little errand for me, she said. Go to Bell’s candy store and get a five-pound box of mixed chocolates and a one-pound box. The big one is for you girls.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

For a little sweetness on Valentine’s Day I have the perfect cookie. Sour cherries, almond and lemon are nestled in an ethereal cream cheese cookie. Flaunting an alluring Bing cherry this cookie surpasses the swagger of the overly sweet candy of Valentine’s Day. READ MORE . . .