Blueberry crumb cake

Blueberry crumb cake
Several months ago I made  Country Apple Crumb Cake. I wanted to try the same recipe with fresh blueberries, so I did. It turned very good and much better than with apples. Essentially, it's the same recipe, only I used blueberries. I think, I can use frozen berries in a winter time. This cake is delicate and delicious compliment to a herb tea or lemonade. It's really classy.
Servings: 12

Cake
1 3/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 lemons, zest of, grated

2 cups fresh blueberries (I think, you can use frozen ones in a winter time)
Crumb Topping
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons butter, cut into 1/4 inch pieces

Directions
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly butter a 9 inch square pan and dust with flour (you can also use nonstick spray).

For the cake, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl; set aside.
With an electric mixer, cream the butter (1/2 cup) and cream cheese in a large bowl.
Gradually add in the sugar, 1/2 cup at a time.
Add in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Add the flour mixture, a third at a time, blending well after each addition.
Add the vanilla and lemon zest.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth it with a spoon. Sprinkle with blueberries

To finish the topping, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl.
Rub the butter into the dry ingredients until you have uniform crumbs.
Sprinkle crumbs over the blueberries,

Bake the cake on the center rack for 50-60 minutes. When the cake is done,it will pull away from the sides and the top will be golden brown.
Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack.

Черничный пирог с хрустящей корочкой
На 12 порций.

Тесто:
1/2 чашки мягкого сливочного масла
1 3/4 чашки муки
1 чайная ложка разрыхлителя
3/4 чайной ложки соли
180 грамм (6оz.) сливочного сыра Филадельфия
1 1/2 чашки сахара
1 чайная ложка ванильного экстракта
4 яйца,
свежая цедра из одного лимона

2 чашки свежей черники

Тертая крошка:
3/4 чашки муки
3/4 чашки сахара
1/4 чайной ложки корицы
1/8 чайной ложки соли
6 столовых ложек холодного сливочного масла, порезанного на мелкие кусочки.

Нагреть духовку до 350Ф. Смазать маслом квадратную 9-дюймовую форму.

Приготовить тесто для пирога. Перемешать муку, разрыхлитель и соль в небольшой посуде. В другой посуде взбить миксером сливочное масло и сливочный сыр. Добавить яйца и мучную смесь из первой посуды. В конце добавить ванильный экстракт и свежую цедру. Все хорощо перемешать. Вылить тесто в форму.
Приготовить тертую крошку смешав муку, сахар, корицу и соль. Добавить холодное сливочное масло и растереть до крошек.
Выложить чернику на тесто и посыпать крошкой. Поставить в нагретую духовку на 50-60 минут. Готовый пирог вынуть из духовки и остудить, нарезать на порционные кусочки.

Cabbage and kohlrabi salad

Cabbage and kohlrabi salad

Despite of many people don't use kohlrabi a lot, I do for my salads. I was happy to see one more recipe in a new cooking book by  Yotam Ottolenghi "Plenty". By the way, I choose several recipes from his book and intend to make all of them. Now now I made a new and refreshing salad.

Serves 4
1 medium large kohlrabi
1/2 white cabbage (8 or 9 oz)
large bunch of dill, roughly chopped ( I used cilantro)
1 cup dried whole sour cherries (I used dry cranberries)
1 medium size cucumber (peeled and sliced) - my addition
grated zest of 1 lemon
6 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
salt and white pepper to tasted
2 cups alfaalfa sprouts (I omitted)

Peel the kohlrabi and cut into thick matchsticks that are about 1/4 inch wide and 2 inches long. (I grated my kohlrabi). Cut cabbage into 1/4-inch-thick strips.
Put all ingridients, apart from sprouts, in a large mixing bowl. Use hands to massage everything togehter for about  minutes so the flavors mix and lemon can soften the bcabbage and sherries. (I massged cabbage separately, then mix all ingridients together). let the salad sit for about 10 minutes.
Add most of the sprouts and mix well again with your hands. (I did not add sprouts). Taste and adjust the seasoning; you need a fair amount of salt to counteract the lemon.
Garnish with the sprouts and serve ar once.

Салат из белокочанной капусты и капусты кольраби
На 4 порции

1 средняя головка кольраби
1/2 головки белокочанной капусты
2 столовых ложки укропа, мелко порезанного (если Вы предпочитаете петрушку, то можете ее использовать)
1 стакан сухой клюквы
1 небольшой огурец, очищенный и нарезанный на небольшие кусочки
тертая цедра 1 лимона
6 чайных ложек лимонного сока
1/4 чашки оливкового масла
1 зубчик чеснока, измельченного
соль и белый перец по вкусу

Тонко нашинковать белокочанную капусту.Положить капусту в большую миску. Добавить немного соли и руками перетереть. Очистить кольраби и натереть на крупной терке. Перемешать кольраби и белокочанную капусту. Добавить укроп, огурец и сухую клюкву. В отдельной небольшой посудине приготовить соус, смешав цедру лимона, лимонный сок, оливковое масло и чеснок. Залить соусом салат и хорошо перемешать. Попробывать, и если нужно добавить соль и перец. Дать постоять салату 10 минут.

Homy apple cake

Here's a typical and classic, easy and delicious apple cake, which anyone can make. Each woman used to have a very own recipe. I'm sure you can find many variations of the recipe below. I'm sure, many of them are really easy and tasty. Enjoy mine!  

Homy apple cake
Makes 8 servings
2 & 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons unsalted butter or margarine room temperature
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 eggs + 1 small egg
6 tablespoons sugar + 2 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons sour cream
3 medium size apples, peeled and chopped
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 tablespoons bread crumbs
1 tablespoon heavy cream, half and half or milk.

In a big bowl add flour. Preheat oven to 350F. Combine the flour and salt in a mixing bowl and toss together. Drop in the butter. With your fingertips, 2 knives, or a pastry blender, blend the ingredients together, working quickly, until you have a mixture of tiny, irregular flakes and bits about the size of coarse bread crumbs. Add baking powder, 2 eggs, 6 tablespoons sugar, sour cream and make a dough.

To make filling, in a large bowl, toss together the apples, granulated sugar, bread crumbs, and lemon juice until well mixed.

On a lightly floured work surface, roll out half of the dough into a 9-inch round. Fold the dough in half and then into quarters and transfer it to a 9-inch deep-dish pie dish. Unfold and gently press the dough into the bottom and sides of the dish. Transfer the apple filling to the cake shell.

On a work surface, roll out the remaining dough into a 9-inch round about 1/8 inch thick. Cover apple mixture evenly with second round of the dough. Seal the edges. Prepare egg wash.

Mix 1 small egg with 1 tablespoon heavy cream, half and half, or milk. Paint the top of your dough with an egg wash (this will make a nice finish).

Bake at 350ºF (180ºC) for 45-50 minutes. Allow cake to cool 45 minutes to 1 hour at room temperature before serving. Enjoy!

Cucumber and Israeli Couscous Salad

Cucumber and Israeli Couscous Salad
The search for healthy food is endless. We're looking for healthier ways to cook and eat all the time. I found this recipe on NY Times website and immediately decided to make it. It's quite fresh, easy, healthy, festive-looking, and very good for any occasion. I think, I will make it again for Holiday Season.
Yield: 6 to 8 servings.
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup Israeli couscous
6 to 8 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, to taste
3 cups chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (from 3 large bunches)
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
1/2 pound ripe tomatoes, very finely chopped
3/4 pound cucumbers (1 European or 4 Persian), seeded if using regular cucumbers, cut in fine dice
1 bunch scallions, finely chopped, or 1/4 cup chopped chives
Salt to taste
1 romaine lettuce heart, leaves separated, washed and dried
Heat one tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat in a medium saucepan and add the couscous. Stir until the couscous begins to color and smell toasty, 4 to 5 minutes. Add 2 cups water and salt to taste and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 15 minutes, or until the couscous is tender. Drain if any liquid remains in the pan.
Transfer the couscous to a large bowl and toss with the lemon juice, parsley, mint, tomatoes, cucumbers, scallions or chives and salt to taste. Add the olive oil, toss together, taste and adjust seasonings. Serve with lettuce leaves.

Израильский салат с кускусом и огурцами
На 6-8 порций
1/4 чашка оливкового масла
1 чашка израильского кускуса (крупный)
6-8 столовых ложек свежего лимонного сока (добавлять по вкусу)
3 чашки мелко нереззанной свежей петрушки
1/4 чашки мелко нарезанной мяты
250 грамм мелко нерезанных свежих помидор
350 грамм мелко порезанных свежих огурцов (1 большой или 4 небольших)
1 пучок мелко нарезанного зеленого лука (я взяла немного красного  и немного зеленого)
Соль и перец по вкусу.
1 головка "romaine lettuce", листья отделить, помыть и посушить.
Нагреть 1 столовую ложку оливкового масла в невольшой кастрюле и добавить кускус. Варить 4-5 минут, слегка помешивая. Добавить 2 чашки воды и соль по вкусу, довести до кипения, уменьшить огонь, накрыть крышкой и варить 15 минут. Снять с огня, отцедить оставшуюся жидкость.
Переложить кускус в большую миску, дать немного остыть и перемешать с лимонным соком, петрушкой, мятой, помидорами, огурцами, и луком. Добавить оливкового масла, соли и перца. Подавать на "lettuce" листьях

Recipe from Martha Rose Shulman is the author of  "The Very Best of Recipes for Health" printed in New Times

Honey Cake

Rosh Hashanah is coming. In 2 months we will celebrate one of the major Holidays and, of course, we have to have tested recipes for the feast. I began testing earlier. Therefore, my readers and I will have time to experiment at the kitchen. Last several years I tried different recipes for honey cake, and this year I began with recipe from "Joy of cooking". It's easy, healthy and can satisfy 10-12 people. Here its' is.

Honey Cake (Lekach)

Makes 1 big Bundt cake
Preheat the oven to 350F. Combine in a medium saucepan and cook, stirring gently, over low heat until well combined.
1 & 1/2 cups honey (I took 1 cup)
1 cup coffee
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoon vanilla
Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. Whish together in a large bowl:
3 & 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 & 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 cup raisins
3/4 chopped walnuts
Beat in a medium bowl on high speed until thick and pale yellow, 4-5 minutes:
3 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
Beat the cooled honey mixture into the eggs. Add the dry ingredients and beat until well blended. Scrape the batter into Bundt cake form and spread evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, 40-45 minutes (I baked 1 hour).
Let cake cool completely in the pan on a rack before cutting.

Beef tonque with pink horseradish sauce

Beef tongue with pink horseradish sauce
Many years ago it was a delicatessen in any table, especially Jewish one. We used to eat beef tongue only (exclusively) for Holidays. It goes very well with any veggie salad.
1 beef tongue
Salt to taste
2-3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon pink horseradish
Pink horseradish is available in all Russian stores, if you can not find, please add a 1/2 teaspoon of tomato paste to regular horseradish.
Place the tongue in a soup pot with the salt, and add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook until the outer skin begins to peel off, about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Peel off the thick outer skin, cut, and serve.
Mix mayonnaise, mustard, and horseradish and serve along with tongue.

Вареный говяжий язык с розовым соусом.
1 говяжий язык
соль по вкусу
2-3 столовых ложки майонеза
1 чайная ложка горчицы
1 чайная ложка розового хрена (если нет, то добавить 1/2 чайной ложки томатной пасты к белому хрену.)
Положить язык в глубокую суповую кастрюлю, добавить воды, чтобы покрывала язык, закипятить и варить до того момента пока внешняя шкурка не будет легко отделяться, приблизительно 2 &1/2 - 3 часа. Готовый язык, вынуть из кастрюли, очистить от внешней кожуры, дать остыть, нарезать на порционные куски и подать с розовым соусом.
Для соуса смешать майонез. горчицу и хрен.

Fresh Cherry Gallette

Fresh Cherry Galette

Makes 4 portions.
1/2 package refrigerated pie dough (such as Pillsbury) - 1 disk
3 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
3 1/2 cups pitted fresh cherries (about 1 1/4 pounds)
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoons buttermilk
1 tablespoon turbinado sugar
Preheat oven to 400F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unroll pie dough onto parchment, and roll to a 12 1/2-inch circle. combine 1 tablespoon sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch, stirring wuth a whisk. Sprinkle cornstarch mixture over the dough, leaving 2-inch border.
Combine cherries, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, rind, and juice; toss well to coat. Arrainge cherry mixture over dough, leaving a 2-inch border. Fold dough border over cherries, pressing gently to seal (dough will only partially cover cherries). Brush edges of dough with buttermilk. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar over cherries and edges of dough. Bake at 400F for 25 minutes ot until dough is browned and juices are bubbly. Remove from oven; cool on pan at least 20 minutes.

Французская галета с черешней или вишней

На 4 порции

Галета - французский термин, обозначающий любой круглый,плоский торт,выпеченный не в форме,а на противне. тесто может быть дрожжевым или простым пресным, как в данном случае. Галета может быть сладкой или острой, с начинкой из джема, орехов,мяса или сыра,а также фруктов...Это довольно грубоватые на вид торты подают во Франции в деревенских бистро и на фермах к ужину.

1 диск теста из пакета с замороженным тестом для пая (фирма Pillsbury)
3 столовых ложки сахара
1 1/2 чайной ложки кукурузного крахмала
3 1/2 чашки черешни или вишни без косточек
1/2 чайной ложки свежей лимонной цедры
2 чайные ложки лимонного сока
1 1/2 столовыe ложки кефира
1 столовая ложка крупного сахара (turbinado)
Нагреть духовку до 400Ф.

Приготовить лист пергаментной бумаги. На него положить и развернуть тесто. Раскатать тесто в круг диаметром около 25-30 см., присыпав стол и тесто небольшим количеством муки. В небольшой миске перемешать 1 столовую ложки сахара и 1 1/2 чайных ложек кукурузного крахмала. Посыпать смесью тесто, оставляя от края 4-5 см на бордюр. Добавить в вишню 2 столовых ложки сахара, цедру и лимонный сок. Перемешать и выложить на тесто, оставляя 4-5 см на бордюр. Завернуть края теста, частично покрыв вишню. Смазать край кефиром и посыпать крыпным сахаром. Выпекать в духовке 25 минут. Вынуть из духовки и остудить в течении 20 минут.

Recipe adapted from Cooking Light

Cashew Curry Shrimp Salad

Cashew Curry Shrimp Salad

This recipe adapted from magazine "Diabetes & you", summer 2012, available at all Walgreen stores. Yiddishe mama is diabetic type II. Moreover she does not like shrimps. she was so skeptical about my attempt to make the salad, but... She loves it.  Can of shoestring potatoes is available in any American supermarket in snaking aisle. It's a quite fulfilling salad, therefore you can not eat too much of it. It's good for family brunch or potluck.  

Curry Dressing
1/2 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 tablespoons lemons juice
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon curry powder
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Salad
1 cup frozen sweet peas
1 package (12 oz) frozen cook deveined peeled shrimp, thawed, drained, tails shells removed
2 medium stalks celery, thinly sliced
1/4 cup red onion, finely shopped (my addition)
1 1/4 cups shoestring potatoes
1/2 cup cashew halves
1 head Belgian endive (optional)

In a small bowl, mix all dressing ingredients.
Cook and drain peas as directed on a bag. Rinse with a cold water; drain. In medium bowl, place shrimp, celery, onion and peas. Add dressing, toss to coat. Cover; refrigerate at least 2 hours to blend flavors.
Just before serving, gently stir shoestring potatoes and cashews into shrimp mixture. Arrange endive leaves, pointed ends out, around edge of medium serving platter. Spoon shrimp mixture into center of platter.