Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Citrus Ginger Cake with Spiced Orange Compote

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup mild-flavored extra-virgin olive oil
2 large eggs, at room temperature, separated (see Tip)
2 tablespoons freshly grated orange or Meyer lemon zest
1/3 cup fresh orange or Meyer lemon juice
5 tablespoons chopped crystallized ginger, divided
1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar
Spiced Orange Compote

PREPARATION
Preheat oven to 350°F. Oil an 8-inch round cake pan (see Variation), line with parchment paper and oil the parchment.

Stir together honey, oil, egg yolks, zest, juice and 3 tablespoons crystallized ginger in a medium bowl. 

Sift whole-wheat pastry flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt into a large bowl. 

Beat egg whites with an electric mixer on high in another medium bowl until soft peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes.

Stir the honey mixture into the flour mixture with a wooden spoon. Gently fold in the egg whites with a rubber spatula until they are well combined. 

Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. 

Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. 

Run a knife around the edges of the pan to loosen the cake and turn it out onto the rack. Let cool completely.

Just before serving, sift sugar evenly over the top of the cake and garnish with the remaining 2 tablespoons ginger. Serve with Spiced Orange Compote on the side.

TIPS & NOTES
Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 4, tightly wrap in plastic wrap and hold at room temperature for up to 1 day. | Equipment: 8-inch cake pan (see Variation), parchment paper
Tip: To bring an egg to room temperature, set it out on the counter for 15 minutes or submerge it (in the shell) in a bowl of lukewarm (not hot) water for 5 minutes.
Variation: You can use a 9-inch cake pan for this recipe, but you will get a thinner cake. Reduce the baking time to 25 to 30 minutes. You can find 8-inch cake pans at well-stocked kitchenware stores or online at surlatable.com.

NUTRITION
Per serving: 280 calories; 7 g fat ( 1 g sat , 5 g mono ); 42 mg cholesterol; 52 g carbohydrates; 4 g protein; 3 g fiber; 175 mg sodium; 189 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (80% daily value)

Carbohydrate Servings: 3.5

Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 3 other carbohydrates, 1 fat

SOURCE

Red & White Salad

INGREDIENTS
4 cups thinly sliced hearts of romaine
2 heads Belgian endive, cored and thinly sliced
1 bulb fennel, trimmed, cored, quartered and thinly sliced
1 15-ounce can hearts of palm, drained, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
1/2 head radicchio, cored, quartered and thinly sliced
1 red apple, cored and cut into matchsticks
1 cup thinly sliced radishes
Champagne Vinaigrette
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

PREPARATION
Toss romaine, endive, fennel, hearts of palm, radicchio, apple and radishes together in a large salad bowl. Add vinaigrette and toss to coat. Season with pepper.

TIPS & NOTES
Make Ahead Tip: Prepare salad without dressing, cover and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Toss with vinaigrette just before serving.

NUTRITION
Per serving: 111 calories; 7 g fat ( 1 g sat , 5 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 11 g carbohydrates; 2 g protein; 3 g fiber; 424 mg sodium; 324 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (30% daily value).

Carbohydrate Servings: 1

Exchanges: 1 1/2 vegetable, 1 1/2 fat