Sponge Cake with Creamy Poppy Seed Filling


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If you’re a big fan of poppy seeds then you’ll love this cake.Soft sponge cake with lightly sweetened pastry cream,dulce de leche, and of course poppy seeds.I love anything with poppy seeds especially cakes.

 

Ingredients:

 

7 eggs

 

1 cup sugar

 

1 1/4 cup sifted self rising flour or regular but add 1/2 teaspoon baking powder.

 

Cream:

 

Prepared pastry cream

 

2 butter sticks softened at room temperature

 

1 can cooked condensed milk ( dulce de leche)

 

1 1/2 cup poppy seeds cooked and grinded

 

1/2 cup toasted and crushed hazelnuts

 

To cook poppy seeds:

 

Place poppy seeds in a small sauce pan.Cover with water.Bring to a boil,then reduce heat to low.

 

Cook for 30 minutes,strain, and let it cool.

 

Grind poppy seeds using a meat grinder.

 

Syrup:

 

1 cup boiling water

 

3 tablespoon sugar

 

-Combine and let it cool

Directions for cake-

Heat oven to 325 degrees.

Using a mixer, beat eggs with sugar until thick and pale in color.

Gradually add sifted flour and mix on low.

Pour the batter in to a lined round 9 inch baking pan(10 inch will work too)

Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown in color.

Let it cool completely.

Cream:

Whip softened butter with a mixer.Gradually add in pastry cream by 2-3 tablespoons at first 2-3 times.Reserve half of pastry cream for later.

Add cooked condensed milk and poppy seeds.Whip it on high speed for few minutes.

Assembling:

Divide sponge cake to equal 3 layers.

Spray or pour syrup on the first layer.

Spread a generous amount of poppy seed cream.

Cover with the second layer and repeat the steps.

Place the third layer on top and spread the reserved pastry cream on the top and around the sides of the cake.Add crushed hazelnuts to the sides of the cake.Decorate the top as desired.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:16]

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Caesar Salad Dressing


I love homemade dressings and sauces. The taste is not comparable to the store bought. It’s delicious and fresh without any preservatives or all that stuff you might not know that is the bottledĀ  store bought dressings.Making dressings and sauces from scratch is just better for you health wise.Most of the time it’s made of simple ingredients that you have on hand.So you can have a delicious fresh salad anytime.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:15]




Farro with Creamy Mushroom Sauce


Farro is the oldest ancient grain that was very popular in middle east during biblical times.In modern days it’s popular in Italy,some parts in Europe and Middle East.It’s texture and taste is very similar to barley and spelt with lower gluten level then wheat.
This creamy mushroom sauce can be served over pasta,rice or farro.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:17]




Brie Cheese Sandwiches


These sandwiches are very fast,and easy to make. They are perfect for appetizers at birthdays, potlucks,bridal showers, baby showers, or tea parties.I often make them for our sisters-get-together party.It’s fun,simple and delicious.

Ingredients:
Brie cheese (your favorite)
avocado sliced
tomato sliced
cucumber sliced
red onion sliced
baguette sliced

Directions:

Place a slice or spread brie cheese (if creamy type) on bread.
layer with onions,tomato,cucumber, and avocado.