Monthly Archives: February 2014

Brazilian Coconut and Caramel Swirl Cake.

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Filed under Desserts

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In Brazil this recipe is called “Bolo de Coco com Baba de Moca”*. It literally means, “Coconut Cake with Young Woman’s drool”. I know it is a strange name but maybe it has to do with the fact that a young woman is sweet? I don’t know for sure! Anyway, I always had trouble making cakes from scratch in the US it never seemed to work until I found the wonderful American cake mixes. It works perfectly every time and the combination of coconut and caramel makes all the difference. The flavors are great together, you would not guess it started from a box.

Ingredients:

1 Pkg of your favorite brand of white cake mix.

1 Can of coconut milk ( shake well).

1 Cup of shredded coconut* optional.

1/2 Tsp coconut extract.

1 Cup of sugar.

1/3 cup hot water.

3 Eggs

Vegetable oil.

Directions:

1)  Heat oven to  350 F. Grease a flute cake pan or arrange cupcake molds, whatever you prefer.

2) Prepare cake according to package directions but substitute the water for coconut milk and save the remainder for the syrup. Add  coconut extract and bake cake according to package directions.

3) While cake is baking, melt sugar in a sauce pan over medium heat stirring constantly until caramel color. Add hot water and reduce heat to low, keep stirring until there is no candy sugar formed. Then add the remainder of the coconut milk and keep stirring over low heat until forms a syrup. Pour in a glass container and set aside to cool.

4) When cake is ready, go over the sides with a knife to loosen if using flute pan and set aside to cool. If doing cupcakes just set them aside to cool. Meanwhile, place coconut caramel syrup in refrigerator for 30 minutes. the syrup has a tendency to separate so mix it again with a spoon as needed.

5) When cake is cooled, flip it over with a help of a plate, swirl the coconut caramel syrup on top saving some to add to the slices on a plate.

* I would like to apologize to the Portuguese speaker since I could not find a way to correctly spell ” Bolo de Coco com Baba de Moca”. I don’t have the Portuguese language characters in my computer and there are a few accentuation missing that can  change the meaning of words.

Pasta and Roasted Tomatoes with Herbs

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Filed under Main Dishes, Vegetarian

Pasta with roasted tomatoes and herbs with pancetta

A variation with added ricotta

This recipe is fantastic! It is easy, prepares in 45 min or less, a very simple and yet so flavorful. The aroma of the roasted fresh tomatoes and herbs will make your mouth water, It is a very light dish and perfect for anytime of the year. A mainly vegetarian dish but you can kick up this recipe with some prosciutto, pancetta or bacon for the meat lovers or add dollops of ricotta cheese for a cremier bite or just add them all ❤

Cooking in Brazil, I would roast Roma style tomatoes cut into quarters but I substituted to heirloom grape and cherry tomatoes. They are sweeter and it saves a step!

Ingredients:
1 Pkg of pasta of your choice ( Rigatoni, Penne, fusili )
1 lb Red heirloom grape tomatoes
1 lb Golden heirloom grape tomatoes

1 orange sweet pepper cut in similar size of the tomatoes

1 shallot chopped

4 garlic cloves thinly sliced
Olive Oil
2 teaspoons fresh oregano chopped
2 teaspoons fresh thyme
Salt and Pepper to taste.
A bunch of fresh basil chopped
6 slices of prosciutto, pancetta or bacon is optional and ricotta cheese is optional*

Directions:
1) Heat oven to 375 F.
2) Cook pasta according to pkg directions, drain and set aside.
3) Place tomatoes, peppers, garlic and shallots in a sheet-pan. Drizzle about 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle fresh oregano, fresh thyme and salt and pepper to taste. Make sure all tomatoes are well coded with oil and herbs. Roast in oven for 30 min.
3) Meanwhile if using pancetta,prosciutto or bacon, cook them until crispy, drain on paper towel and chop them in small pieces.
4) When tomatoes are ready, place pasta in to a large elegant bowl, add the tomatoes with herbs and all the liquid that formed, add fresh basil,
5) Add bacon or prosciutto or dollops of ricotta cheese if using them Garnish with more fresh basil.

* Prosciutto is Italian bacon it is not smoked but you can use regular smoked bacon or even turkey bacon.

Enjoy!❤😋