Nov 2011

National Bundt Day: Orange Cardamom Cake

Orange Cardamom Bundt Cake

Did you know that National Peking Duck Day falls on January 18 and National Escargot Day is celebrated on May 24? Don’t forget about National Pots de Creme day on August 27, National Sangria Day on December 20, and a hundred more edible celebrations recognized throughout the year.

Food-centric holidays like these usually come and go without much fanfare on my part, but I couldn’t let National Bundt Day on November 15 pass by without some love. For the past three years, one of my favorite bloggers, Mary “The Food Librarian,” has baked 30 cakes in 30 days in recognition of the holiday. That’s a total of 90 Bundts! Her passion and enthusiasm for the pan’s round and sexy curves is hilarious and contagious. She makes me wanna be a bigger, bolder, better Bundt baker.

In celebration of my first National Bundt Day, I made an Orange Cardamom Cake. Citrus and spice shine brightly and distinctly in this moist little number. The best part is the freshly squeezed orange juice glaze that’s drizzled over the cake while it’s still hot from the oven. Tart, sweet, and  full of spice, this cake’s got it all.

Happy National Bundt Day, everyone!

For cake

  • Cooking spray
  • 3 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 3/4 teaspoons ground cardamom
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup fresh orange juice
  • 2/3 cup canola oil
  • 1 tablespoon grated orange rind
  • 2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs

For glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 4 1/2 teaspoons fresh orange juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Orange Cardamom Bundt Cake

Preheat oven to 350°. To prepare cake, coat a 10-inch tube pan or Bundt pan with cooking spray; dust with 1 tablespoon flour. Set aside.

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine 3 cups flour, sugar, baking powder, cardamom, cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl.

Orange Cardamom Bundt Cake

Make a well in center of mixture. Add 3/4 cup orange juice, canola oil, orange rind, lemon rind, vanilla, and eggs to flour mixture, and beat with a mixer at low speed or manually until well combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally.

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Nov 2011

Julian Serrano – Las Vegas (Aria Resort & Casino)

Julian Serrano Tapas - Las Vegas

After three days of reveling like rock stars at the Aria Resort & Casino, the #Foodies2Aria express arrived at its final stop: Julian Serrano. Modern tapas, traditional paella, and Chef Serrano’s favorite breakfast were all on deck before heading to the airport.

Julian Serrano Tapas - Las Vegas

Chef Serrano is best known for his Mediterranean-French cooking at Picasso at the Bellagio. The restaurant has received two Michelin stars, as well as the AAA Five Diamond Award for nine years counting.

Here at his eponymous restaurant, Chef Serrano shares the cuisine of his native Spain. From small plates to seafood to charcuterie, I was excited to revisit the flavors and dishes that I fell in love with while honeymooning in the country last year.

Julian Serrano Tapas - Las Vegas

To start, a cool shot of gazpacho with a filled sphere on the side. I’ve yet to warm up to cold soups, so I found this dish perfectly nice, but not much else.

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Nov 2011

Food & Wine All-Star Weekend: A New American Lunch at Sage (Aria Resort & Casino)

Sage - Las Vegas

For those who haven’t been following along intently on the #Foodies2Aria tour, let me catch you up quickly. After arriving in Vegas, we supped on uni risotto and white truffled fishes at BarMasa. Day two started early at Jean Georges Steakhouse, where tomahawk chops and roasted bone marrow graced the table. Next, we traveled down the hall to American Fish by Michael Mina, where we were served a suite of dishes prepared using the restaurant’s four signature techniques.

For our third meal of the day, we walked downstairs to Sage for “A New American Lunch” hosted by Chef Shawn McClain and Top Chef season 4 winner Chef Stephanie Izard. This event was part of the Food & Wine All-Star Weekend.

Sage - Las Vegas

I wasn’t sure I’d be up for a six-course lunch after such a hearty breakfast, but thankfully my appetite was game for more as soon as I sat down.

Prior to the first course arriving, both chefs stood in front of the packed dining room to welcome the crowd and to chat a bit about the food. Chef McClain explained that the first and fourth dishes belonged to him, while the second and third were Chef Izard’s. The cheese course and dessert were anyone’s guess.

Sage - Las Vegas

Chef McClain started us off with a shaved Brussels sprout salad with Taylor Gold pears, macadamia nuts, and a bacon mustard vinaigrette. The smoky and tangy dressing played nicely with the sweet pears and snappy sprouts.

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