Spring!

“Is the spring coming?" he said. "What is it like?"... "It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine...” ~Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

We have had a very busy month over here, so I apologize to my readers for taking such a long time to get back in the groove of things. Today is the second day of April and we have showers, but we also have flowers. The highways are starting to brighten up with their annual blanket of Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush. One of the many things I love about Austin is the Spring, as it reminds me of a Monet painting. Out in the backyard we have buds bursting on the Meyer lemon tree again and the bees are busy dancing around the blossoms. Little radishes are popping their heads from the soil to say hello. Bunches of baby lettuces are making there way to salad bowls along with plenty of fresh herbs from the garden.

Whether you have a garden in the back or one in your heart, why not consider sewing some seeds of good health. It will do your soul a world of good, I'm jus’ sayin’!

Oh the Joy of Spring

Living in California my whole life spoiled me when it came to the weather. I had absolutely no idea what to expect 11 years ago when I moved to Texas. Since then I have learned much about the seasons in Texas. Like the hotter than Hades heat that kicks up in June and stretches it's sultry (I say sultry because I am trying to behave like a Southern Lady) hand deep into the fall at which time the chance of ice and sleet always seems to only be a few hours away. Don't believe me? Just ask any Texan about our crazy weather and they will most likely tell you, “Texas has four seasons: Almost Summer, Summer, Still Summer, and Christmas.” Therefore, when Spring rolls around for it's brief annual visit, we like to get out of the house and soak up as much as we can. Getting outside is not hard to do as the wildflowers blanket the highways and roads all over this big beautiful state. Taking a drive through the Texas Hill Country will make you quickly forget about the merciless heat that is around the corner. Yes, the cool breezes, the colors, and the smells - it is all so breathtaking that even the morning commute is quickly forgotten. The summers can be pretty tough if your not used to the heat, which is why Spring is so cherished in these parts. I consider it a blessing to have been born in a beautiful state like California but I must say it's been an absolute pleasure to be raising our family in this gorgeous big state of Texas, too. Yes, there are many ways to survive the weather in Texas, but I prefer to look at it as a fun amusement park ride where I learned years ago to keep my arms and legs in until the ride comes to a complete stop - stopping to smell the flowers, that is. I'm jus' sayin!



I am fortunate enough to live within walking distance of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Lady Bird had a very special gift when it came to beautifying our lovely town. It would have been an honor to have met this Southern gem and in her honor, I am sharing her famous Lemon Cake. This recipe is all over the internet and it appeared to be one of the specialties the First Lady served in the White House.

3/4 cup butter or margarine (at room temperature)
1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
8 egg yolks
2 1/2 cups cake flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Lemon Icing
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine (at room temperature)
1 lemon, grated rind only
1 lemon, juiced
2 teaspoons cream (or more, until spreading consistency)
yellow food coloring, if desired

DIRECTIONS:
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. In a separate bowl, beat egg yolks until light and lemon-colored; blend into creamed mixture. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt; resift 3 times. Add sifted ingredients to creamed mixture in thirds, alternating with milk. Beat the batter thoroughly after each addition.

Add vanilla extract, lemon rind and lemon juice; beat 2 minutes. Bake in greased 10-inch bundt pan in preheated oven at 325 degrees F for 1 hour or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. You can also can use three 9-inch round cake pans and bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes. Double the frosting recipe for a layer cake.

Lemon Icing: Combine ingredients and beat, adding cream until desired consistency.

"The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances."
~ Robert Flatt

On this Easter Sunday… Forgive someone. Tell someone you love them. Let your light shine.
~ Author Unknown

Spring Forward... To That Nice Weather!

Spring. I love all that it evokes. The trees have little buds on them, my garden is producing beautiful baby lettuces (first time ever!), and the weather is warm with a slight chill in the evening - which seems to be the only time of the year that it does that in Texas. Spring is also when most of our friends and family choose to visit us. We clean off the lawn chairs replacing the leaves and dirt with comfy pillows and side tables with vases of flowers and good reading books. I re-plant my herb garden and shower colorful geraniums all over the dried up flower beds. I even start hanging the laundry out too dry to soak in that fresh spring air. OK, so that last one was out of necessity because the dryer took a dump, but hey, it did get those sheets into the lovely sunshine!

Since I tend to be outside more in the Spring taking full advantage of the weather, my kitchen, in a sense, moves outside too. I will pick and eat from the garden, work on quick meals and drink more sun tea and my desserts tend to be quick and fast. If you live in Texas, you know that the hotter-than-Hades sun is upon you quickly and you only have this small window of opportunity to enjoy hanging out all day in the yard. So I intend to take full advantage and if I need something to break down (dryer) to get those sheets hung or house guests to get my yard cleaned up then so be it! Whatever works - it's all in my flavor or *ahem* favor! I'm jus' sayin'!

Here is one of those quick, stay out of your kitchen recipes. Simple foccacia, which is always my stand by when I have fresh items on hand or left overs in the fridge. I touched base on this in the last post but felt like it deserved a center stage due to it's diversity. It can be made for quick tapas or even as a Friday night pizza replacement. You make the dough and then put whatever you like on it. It can be grilled out back or baked in your oven.




Make it your own Focaccia

Start this recipe 1 hour before you want to eat.

In a large stainless steel bowl mix the following:
4 cups all purpose flour
2 cups warm water
2 Tbs. instant dry yeast
2 Tbs. sugar
1 tsp. salt

Stir them all together until a sticky dough is formed. Cover the bowl with a moist kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm area for about 30 minutes. It should double in size with plenty of air bubbles.

Turn the dough onto a floured board and knead with your hands (and a bit of extra flour if needed) 5-10 times or until the dough forms a ball and is no longer sticky. Divide dough in half and on 2 large parchment-lined cookie sheets (or pizza stone), hand press your dough into a large but not too thin square shape. Of course it can be any shape you want - we're just going for a rustic look here. With your finger tips, gently press down and dimple the top leaving little pockets or indentations all over (this will be to hold the toppings later). Drizzle some really good extra virgin olive oil over the top and let rise for 5 more minutes. While it's rising start thinking about your toppings.

If this is a tapas, you may want halved grapes or dried fruit with some chunks of blue-veined cheese and some toasted nuts. Roasted garlic, sun dried tomatoes and fresh mozzarella are equally good choices. Or how about pears, procuitto and a drizzle of agave syrup for something unique?

If you are doing this for a side on salad you may just want the olive oil, a sprinkle of garlic powder and some fresh herbs. After baked, cut into cubes for lovely croutons or mound the salad right on top of the bread and cut strips.

For a main course check out your fridge. If you have any cured meats hanging out, slice them up and throw them on it. Another one of my favorites is using roasted vegetables. I have even been known to take some cold leftover meatloaf and cube it and throw it on. Be creative and be fast. (Don't want to waste valuable cocktail time, right?)

If you want this to be dessert, bake it up with just the olive oil and when it comes out of the oven, spread some nutella and sliced fresh fruit on top. How about some warm marmalade and shaved chocolate? Do you see where I am going with this?

Make it your own. Take a basic, easy recipe and customize it so that you will have more time to sit and relax and enjoy the nice Spring evenings. Oops! Like Alice in the rabbit hole, I became side-tracked with the toppings and I forgot to tell you how to bake it! Bake in preheated 375' oven for 15-17 minutes or until lightly brown and golden on top. Cool and cut into squares or strips.



Quick Citrus Sangria

In a large pitcher or jug combine the following and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 4 hours before serving. Serve over ice.

2 oranges sliced
2 limes sliced
1 lemon sliced
1 peach or stone fruit sliced
1 bottle of red wine (no need to go expensive on this one)
1 can of peach nectar
1 cup of orange juice
1/4 cup of brandy or orange liquor
Top off with sparkling water (If you don't have room in the pitcher for this just top each individual glass off to give a little lift to the sangria)