A Short Word About February
This week we delve into the icy depths of February; from Skadi,the Norse Go
ddess of Winter to "The Snow Daughter and the Fire Son". But don't worry, February never lasts long. (And we're also joined by Dawn Hunt, the Kitchen Witch!)
ddess of Winter to "The Snow Daughter and the Fire Son". But don't worry, February never lasts long. (And we're also joined by Dawn Hunt, the Kitchen Witch!)
Tres Leches Cake for Imbolc
In early Irish Myth, Brigit exerts patronage over production and supply of milk and other dairy products. Milk symbolized purity in works of Irish literature The connection between maternity and milk meant that it would make sense for a maternal figure to protect dairy products. And so milk symbolizes Brigit's holy purity.
Milk was actually an essential part of the Irish diet. The lack of sunlight in Ireland means that human bodies were physiologically not able to produce enough vitamin D. Fortunately, milk is a source of vitamin D, as well as a number of important proteins. Thus it was an essential part of the Irish diet.
For the past several years, Tres Leches Cake has been part of my personal Imbolc tradition.
Tres Leches is simply a light, airy sponge cake soaked with a mixture of three milks: evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream.
When I first heard about Tres Leches I learned that it's a Mexicandesert. But I've since heard that it's of Spanish origin. While the idea of adding liquids to cake goes far back in European history, I tend to beleive that Tres Leches actually did start on this side of the Atlantic. The cake is very popular all over Latin America and in recent decades it's popularity has spread around the world. Since the year 2000, the cake has been a widespread restaurant dessert item in Albania. The Albanian version generally adds a layer of caramel to the top of the cake.
If you want to make Tres Leches Cake for your Imbolc celebration, here's what you'll need:
For the cake: Vegetable oil; 6-3/4 ounces cake flour, plus extra for pan ; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 4 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature; 8 ounces sugar; 5 eggs; 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the glaze: 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk; 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk; 1 cup half-and-half
For the topping: 2 cups heavy cream ; 8 ounces sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Now, For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil and flour a 13 by 9-inch metal pan and set aside.
Whisk together the cake flour, baking powder and salt in a medium mixing bowl and set aside.
Place the butter into the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment, beat on medium speed until fluffy, approximately 1 minute. Decrease the speed to low and with the mixer still running, gradually add the sugar over 1 minute. Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl, if necessary. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and mix to thoroughly combine. Add the vanilla extract and mix to combine. Add the flour mixture to the batter in 3 batches and mix just until combined. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread evenly. This will appear to be a very small amount of batter. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cake is lightly golden and reaches an internal temperature of 200 degrees F.
Remove the cake pan to a cooling rack and allow to cool for 30 minutes. Poke the top of the cake all over with a skewer or fork. Allow the cake to cool completely and then prepare the glaze.
For the glaze: Whisk together the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk and the half-and-half in a 1-quart measuring cup. Once combined, pour the glaze over the cake. Refrigerate the cake overnight.
Topping: Place the heavy cream, sugar and vanilla into the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the whisk attachment, whisk together on low until stiff peaks are formed. Change to medium speed and whisk until thick. Spread the topping over the cake and allow to chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
That's Tres Leches Cake! A great way to honor the Lady for Imbolc.
Milk was actually an essential part of the Irish diet. The lack of sunlight in Ireland means that human bodies were physiologically not able to produce enough vitamin D. Fortunately, milk is a source of vitamin D, as well as a number of important proteins. Thus it was an essential part of the Irish diet.
For the past several years, Tres Leches Cake has been part of my personal Imbolc tradition.
Tres Leches is simply a light, airy sponge cake soaked with a mixture of three milks: evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream.
When I first heard about Tres Leches I learned that it's a Mexicandesert. But I've since heard that it's of Spanish origin. While the idea of adding liquids to cake goes far back in European history, I tend to beleive that Tres Leches actually did start on this side of the Atlantic. The cake is very popular all over Latin America and in recent decades it's popularity has spread around the world. Since the year 2000, the cake has been a widespread restaurant dessert item in Albania. The Albanian version generally adds a layer of caramel to the top of the cake.
If you want to make Tres Leches Cake for your Imbolc celebration, here's what you'll need:
For the cake: Vegetable oil; 6-3/4 ounces cake flour, plus extra for pan ; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 4 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature; 8 ounces sugar; 5 eggs; 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the glaze: 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk; 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk; 1 cup half-and-half
For the topping: 2 cups heavy cream ; 8 ounces sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Now, For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil and flour a 13 by 9-inch metal pan and set aside.
Whisk together the cake flour, baking powder and salt in a medium mixing bowl and set aside.
Place the butter into the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment, beat on medium speed until fluffy, approximately 1 minute. Decrease the speed to low and with the mixer still running, gradually add the sugar over 1 minute. Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl, if necessary. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and mix to thoroughly combine. Add the vanilla extract and mix to combine. Add the flour mixture to the batter in 3 batches and mix just until combined. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread evenly. This will appear to be a very small amount of batter. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cake is lightly golden and reaches an internal temperature of 200 degrees F.
Remove the cake pan to a cooling rack and allow to cool for 30 minutes. Poke the top of the cake all over with a skewer or fork. Allow the cake to cool completely and then prepare the glaze.
For the glaze: Whisk together the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk and the half-and-half in a 1-quart measuring cup. Once combined, pour the glaze over the cake. Refrigerate the cake overnight.
Topping: Place the heavy cream, sugar and vanilla into the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the whisk attachment, whisk together on low until stiff peaks are formed. Change to medium speed and whisk until thick. Spread the topping over the cake and allow to chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
That's Tres Leches Cake! A great way to honor the Lady for Imbolc.
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Tons o'Stuff!
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Tons o'Stuff!
Playlist for This Week's Show
Laura Powers: "A Heart inWinter"
Dar Williams: "Mortal City"
Thunder Beat: "Star Light"
Thunder Beat: "Sirius"
This Ascention: "Mysterium"
Thunder Beat: "Star Gate"
Jennifer Hope: "The Sky is Blushing"
Rhea's Obsession: "When I Was in My Prime"
Scott Helland: "Fire Bow & Brimstone"
Yo La Tengo: "Liquid Crystals"
ePisces Projeckt: "Sun andMoon"
Magicfolk: "Little Spirit"
Copal: "Ice Crystals"
Revels:"Breton Band Set"
Hobbyhorse: "Phoenixology"
Dar Williams: "Mortal City"
Thunder Beat: "Star Light"
Thunder Beat: "Sirius"
This Ascention: "Mysterium"
Thunder Beat: "Star Gate"
Jennifer Hope: "The Sky is Blushing"
Rhea's Obsession: "When I Was in My Prime"
Scott Helland: "Fire Bow & Brimstone"
Yo La Tengo: "Liquid Crystals"
ePisces Projeckt: "Sun andMoon"
Magicfolk: "Little Spirit"
Copal: "Ice Crystals"
Revels:"Breton Band Set"
Hobbyhorse: "Phoenixology"
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