Almond Sponge Cake (Torta De Cielo)
Almond Sponge Cake (Torta de Cielo)
This is called literally “cake of heaven
“
1/2 lb almonds
Hot water to cover almonds
5 eggs, separated
2 pinches of salt
1/2 lb granulated sugar
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tbsp br&y
1/8 tsp almond extract
Pour hot water over the almonds so that they are well covered & let them soak for at least 6 hrs
Line the bottom of a 9-inch spring-form pan with parchment paper
Butter the paper & sides of the pan well, then dust with flour
Position oven rack to the middle
Preheat the oven to 325 deg F
Chop the nuts & grind them a little at a time
They should not be too coarse or too fine
Set aside
Beat egg whites until fluffy
Add salt & continue beating until whites are stiff
Add yolks, one at a time, & continue beating until they are incorporated
Mix the dry ingredients together &, beating at low speed of an electric mixer, gradually add them to the eggs
Add the br&y & almond extract, mix well, then pour the batter into the prepared pan
Bake for 1 1/4 hrs
Remove the cake from the pan after it is cold
This cake keeps indefinitely if stored in a cool, dry place
Do not store it in the refrigerator
Jamaica
Jamaica
2/3 cup dried hibiscus blossoms*
1 1/2 cups water
1/3 cup granulated sugar or simple syrup
In a saucepan, bring the blossoms & water to a boil over high heat & continue boiling for 3 min
Add enough water to bring the total liquid to 4 cups; add sugar
Set the mixture aside for at least 4 hrs or overnight
Strain the liquid into a glass pitcher
Add more sugar, if necessary
Serve chilled over ice with lime wedges as a garnish
* These are labeled “sorrel” & can be found in Mexican markets in the Southwest
Burritos
Burritos
1 1/2 lb lean ground beef
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
1 (7 oz) can green chili salsa
1 (7 oz) can green chiles, seeded & diced
1 (14 1/2 oz) can stewed tomatoes
1 (17 oz) can refried beans
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 dozen large flour tortillas
2 cups Longhorn cheese, grated
1 cup sour cream
Preheat oven to 350 deg F
Brown the beef in a skillet, crumbling with a fork as it cooks
Drain off the fat
Add onion, green chile salsa, chiles, tomatoes & beans
Season with salt & pepper
Cook & stir mixture for 5 min or until most of the moisture has cooked away
Place tortillas on center rack of the oven & heat until just hot, not crisp or stiff
Remove one at a time to plates & quickly place some meat mixture in the center of each one
Top with 2 Tbsp of the cheese & 1 tbsp of sour cream
Roll tortillas around filling & serve immediately
The burritos may be cooled, wrapped in foil, & refrigerated or frozen for later use