Month: July 2014

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Lavender Lemon Bundt Cake

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What a whirlwind of a month this has been!  Renting out our home, quitting our jobs, and moving to Washington State.  I’d say, it has been a grand adventure; one definitely worth it.  As we adjust to our new setting, and begin working away at building our businesses, it’s has been utterly lovely having ample fresh food at our fingertips.  My mom has quite a green thumb when it comes to gardening, and my dad’s woodworking and photography is pretty impressive.  It is pretty wonderful being in their guest quarters; though we are hardly guests.

I’ve busied myself with getting acquainted to my “new” kitchen; the one my dad built from scratch. It’s cabinets are a great hue of cobalt blue, and reminds me of my new-found love; Crater Lake.

Today the girls and I broke in the oven.  The four of us diligently set to task preparing and baking a lovely vegan lavender and lemon bundt cake with honey lemon icing.  It’s flavoring is so exquisite, that I need write about it while whisking away the mosquitoes that are circling my head.

INGREDIENTS:

Cake:

3 cups all-purpose unbleached flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

8 Tbsp spectrum palm shortening

8 Tbsp. earth balance

1 1/2 cups of granulated organic cane sugar

1 Tbsp. of herbs de provence

4  tsp. egg replacer  (by EnerG)

1/4 cup almond milk

1 1/2 tsp. of lemon extract

1 cup of plain coconut yogurt

1 Tbsp. of finely grated lemon zest

1 Tbsp of fresh lemon juice

Glaze:

2 Tbsp. honey

1/2 cup organic powdered sugar

1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Have all the ingredients at room temp. Grease and flour a bundt cake pan; tap out excess flour

2. To make the cake: Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

3. In a bowl, with an electric mixer, cream together the shortening, and butter along with the sugar, herbs de province, eggs, extract, and yogurt.  Add the lemon zest and lemon juice and for a short 30 seconds, whisk again.

4.  Make a well in the dry mix, and fold the wet into the dry.  Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, spreading the batter so the sides are higher than the center.   Bake until the cake comes out clean or begins to pull away from the sides of the pan or a toothpick comes out clean, about 1 hour.

5. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and allow to cool for 15 minutes.

6. To make the glaze: in a small saucepan over low heat, warm the honey until runny.  Place the 1/2 cup of powdered sugar in a small bowl along with the lemon juice and mix the honey with the two. Using a pastry brush, brush the cake with the glaze. Let the cake cool completely; at least 2 hours before serving.  Dust with powdered sugar before serving. Garnish with fresh lemon zest or lavender.

 

 

 

 

 

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Gard’s Goodbye

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Not much to post here in the ways of food lately. We’ve been super busy trying to finalize the stitching to our sweet home so that someone else feels super blessed to move into it. As a family, we have been living out of a cooler for well over a week now. On one hand, it feels like this rocky boat ride is almost over and we will soon set anchor, but I honestly think the boat ride will actually begin when we depart.  Really, what we have been doing for the last few months, is preparing for the ride; emotionally, spiritually, physically, and mentally.

In our best Gard efforts, we find this last week to be ultimately one that is both enjoyable and one that is full of accomplishments.  Nothing gets done by itself, and you must maintain being pro-active even when you feel like throwing your hands up in the air, and hiding beneath the bed to shield yourself from frustration.

We Gard’s wanted a lasting fond memory of our home; one that set the tone for our leaving and one that said something about us as a family. Our annual bathtub photo began just shy of 6 years ago.  Our home was much like a blank canvas, but was also the worst on the block.  Needless to say, the head high weeds in the yard was just the obvious of what needed fixing. Having a baby 1 1/2 days after moving in, was really quite an adventure.  It was not having hot water for 5 weeks following the birth of our second, and trying to remodel a dilapidated home, that really set the tone of our strong characters; smiling through the process.

Our bathroom was one of our first remodels.  We were so proud of it, and absolutely thrilled it was complete, that we chose to use it as the setting for our first Christmas card, in 2008-our new home. It has remained as our Christmas card photo locale.

With our departure so very near, we want to say thanks to all those who have come across our paths. We have truly felt blessed by our friendships. Thank you for giving us your time, and for enriching our lives.