A very "special" Valentine's Day Cake

Like most events in life, my expectations for this cake and the end result were two very different things.  While not the most attractive cake (icy, bleeding heart I'm looking at you), it is extremely rich and delicious.  It was intended to be a strawberry "cheesecake" (I used this recipe to guide me) but turned into a crumbly "Cashew Butter" cake. Where did I go wrong you may ask? Well, I had planned on making the cake about a week ago so I soaked the cashews for about 4-6 hours in water.  Then, the big snow storm hit and the grocery store suddenly ran out of dates (maybe Portlanders value that over bread).  Since I didn't have all the right ingredients I decided to make it later for Valentine's Day but in a moment of foolishness placed the wet cashews in the cupboard instead of the refrigerator.  Fast forward to about a week later to find me opening up a tupperware container full of moldy cashews.  I am fairly convinced had I used the soft cashews instead of the hard, raw ones it may have turned out a little better.  Also, the strawberries had started to rot but I am nothing if not stubborn and WAS GOING TO MAKE THE CAKE FOR VALENTINE'S DAY! 

Even if it had turned out to be a complete bust taste and looks-wise, at least I'm having a pretty good hair day. 

The French Quarter, "Ladies of the Night," Chocolate and Birthday Sweets

The Book of the Week: Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys 

In a Nutshell:

For as long as Josie Moraine can remember, her life has been tumultuous as the daughter of a prostitute in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Tired of the the seedy men and selfish choices of her mother, Josie creates a plan to escape the big easy. However, a mysterious death in the Quarter lures her into a quest for the truth, entangling her relationships with her mother, friends, and Willie Woodley the sharp-tongued, hard-edged madam on Conti Street. Caught between her dream world of elite colleges and the complicated people and places of her reality, Josie is forced to make difficult choices that could determine the course of her future. Amongst the secrets, lies and complications she learns that her decisions, not her past, will determine who she becomes.

Cast of Characters:

Much like her novel Between Shade of Gray, Ruta Sepetys creates a world of vivid, yet not always relatable characters.  I did find myself connecting with the main protagonist, Josie, especially for her love of books.  She came across as a hardworking, intelligent young woman who was quiet yet strong-willed.  She did make a few really stupid decisions that made me want to shake her a few times.  Her mother was almost the least believable character and came off as practically cartoonish in her mannerisms and "evil" ways.  The real prize goes to her mother's mobster boyfriend/sugar daddy who plays out like one big stereotype.  The book does redeem itself through the fascinatingly complex Willie who runs the prostitution house.  She's acidic in tone and very rarely gives compliments but the beauty of her person is slowly revealed throughout the novel.  I also adored Cokie, Willie's chauffeur whose tokens of love for Josie melted my heart as well as Sweety, a kind-hearted prostitute.  Jesse,  the motorcycle wielding, leather wearing car mechanic is also a likable guy though he felt a bit like a stock character at times.

Novel Seller or Storyteller?:

Sepetys rich descriptions of her characters and their surroundings kept me drawn to the story until the very end. 

I saw her hand first, veiny and pale, draped over the arm of an upholstered wingback. Her nails, glossy red like pomegranate seeds, could pop a balloon with a quick flick.  Clusters of gold and diamonds adorned nearly every finger. 

Willie's rolltop desk sat on an antique Aubusson rug next to a buttercream marble fireplace.  An ornate birdcage hung empty from the ceiling in the corner.  As usual, Willie sat in the center of her high bed, propped against the pillows in her black silk kimono, platinum hair combed, red lipstick freshly applied. 

A trickle of perspiration slide between my shoulder blades in a single stream and landed at the base of my spine. 

I found the dialogue to be inconsistent.  Sometimes it boiled with tension.

"Oh, no?" He took a swig of his martini.  "Well, where is he?"

"I believe you know what I mean."

"I know what you mean," he said, leaning back over the desk toward me, "but I don't believe you.  You're trying to hustle me, kid.  You're slick witted."

Other times, especially when Josie interacted with her new friend Charlotte, everything came off cheesy and unnatural.  I have never overheard a conversation between two eighteen-year-olds that sounded like this.

"Oh Josephine, do consider Smith.  It has a wonderful literary legacy.  In addition to Margaret Mitchell, there's a promising talent named Madeline L'Engle who graduated from Smith."

"Smith? Oh, I don't know," I said. 

"Why not? You're obviously an accomplished woman, practically running a publishing business and living on your own in a unique and decadent city like New Orleans.  So many eccentric characters, I can't imagine what you've experience here," she said with a wink. 

Theme Song: 

While searching for music that would fit the location and tone of this book I came across the song House of the Rising Sun.  Rumored to be about either a prison or house of prostitution, I thought the somber chords and lyrics suited the events of the story. 

The Verdict: 

There were times while I was reading that I felt transported into the colorful streets of New Orleans; I could smell, see and taste everything.  I felt the unforgiving heat and the mild chill.  Sepetys built a world I felt as though I could literally step into.  Adventurous, exciting and intriguing, it was a book that was a challenge to put down. Upon reflection though, there was a subtle sense of authenticity missing in the story. I felt as though certain stereotypes of the south were played up which made it difficult to see certain characters as truly fleshed out.  I couldn't see them existing outside this particular story.  Part of the problem could be that I'm not the intended demographic for this story (it's in the Young Adult category).  While I found it to be an entertaining and engaging read, I would say this is better suited for high school students.    

Tasty Eats of the Week: 

Granola with Coconut Milk (or Homemade Yogurt)

I posted the recipe for the granola in a previous blog post. I actually soaked most of the nuts for several hours this time before baking them because they are easier to digest.   I decided to skip drying them out properly and they never quite baked correctly so I recommend putting them in the oven for about an hour first after soaking them. Pure coconut milk can be found at both Trader Joe's and Whole Foods.  At Trader Joe's  it is only 99 cents per can and half the fat, so I would only buy the milk from Whole Foods if I wanted to make coconut whipped cream.  I actually preferred eating the granola with homemade yogurt because I personally think coconut milk is too strong. Almond milk may work better.

SCD Pizza with Tomatoes, Mushrooms and Bacon 

I was really excited about this recipe because I have been craving pizza since I've started the SCD diet. The crust turned out a bit dry so I may try putting in a dab of yogurt in it next time.  It's much heavier than regular pizza which I didn't anticipate.  I overate on my first tasting and gave myself a bit of a stomach ache.  Here is the recipe:

Crust Ingredients:

2 cups of blanched almond flour

1/4 teaspoon each dried basil, dried oregano, and garlic powder (one or more are optional)

1/8 teaspoon sea salt 

2 eggs

1 cup shredded cheese (Cheddar, Parmesan, or a mix of soft and hard cheeses)

1 tablespoon olive oil

Topping Ingredients: (amounts may vary depending on personal preference)

6 strips of bacon

1/2 cup of mushrooms 

1/3 cup of tomatoes (chopped)

Sauce:

Mezzetta Napa Valley Bistro (Arrabbiatta)

Topping Directions:

1. Fry the strips of bacon in a pan until done (set aside)

2. Add the mushrooms and tomatoes in the pan with olive oil and cook for about 2-3 minutes

Crust Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit/ 175 degrees Celsius

Nutella Bites

These Nutella bites are actually illegal on the SCD diet because they contain chocolate.  However, I couldn't find a good argument against chocolate from any of the experts on the SCD diet.  I am an avid chocolate lover, so I decided to give this recipe a whirl.  They were absolutely delicious! Unfortunately after consuming the bites, hot chocolate, and putting cocoa nibs in my yogurt I started experiencing stomach pain and a small rash outbreak on my arms.  I hope someone can enjoy this eggless, sugarless and yet very delightful treat! 

Sweet Birthday Moments and Treats

A few days before my birthday, Oregon was hit with some very wintery weather.  The duck pond in my neighborhood (which is always a source of entertainment) became quite the spectacle when half of it froze over and all the critters were forced to share a small part of the water.  My mom and I saw numerous fights amongst the ducks and several geese tentatively trying out the thin ice.  A pair of ducks tried to scramble of the snowy bank but they were sadly unsuccessful.  

By the time my birthday rolled around, we were basically snowed in.  While I had planned to go out for the occasion I really enjoyed the cozy alternative.  My mom made the sweetest slideshow of pictures displaying chronological moments in my life.  We got to enjoy a few movies and watched the Olympics, but most importantly my step-dad made a big run to the grocery store before the roads became too dangerous.  

Here are all the delicious items I devoured: 

Breakfast: Eggs Benedict 

Inspired by the scene in Runaway Bride where Julia Roberts tries all different types of eggs, I requested  Eggs Benedict since I had never eaten it before.  I have to say I'm not a fan of the runny quality of the egg so for now I still enjoy scrambled eggs the best. 

Lunch: SCD Tuna, Mashed Cauliflower and Steamed Carrots 

My step-dad found a mayonnaise that is SCD legal (which I used to eat before I went on the diet, ha!). Spectrum Canola Mayonnaise is good for anyone on a gluten free, clean eating diet.  Here is the mashed cauliflower recipe:

Ingredients

1 head of cauliflower

1/2 cup of SCD yogurt (for non-SCD people sour cream works as well)

4 tablespoons of butter

Salt and pepper to taste 

Cheese to top 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit

2. Steam cauliflower until soft

3. Drain and put in large glass bowl

4. Add softened butter, yogurt/sour cream, salt and pepper

5. Mash together until it looks like lumpy mashed potatoes (ha!)

6. Place in an oven-safe baking dish and top with cheese of choice (for SCD use cheddar or harvarti)

7. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden

Warm Snack: Hot Chocolate 

This was obviously before I came to grips with the fact that I could no longer do a "chocolate cheat" on the diet.  This basically consists of 3 Tablespoons of pure, unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 Tablespoons of honey, and 1 Tablespoon of coconut milk.  It was bitter compared to typical hot chocolate but I really liked it.  I pretended I was a high ranking Mayan official as I gracefully sipped my drink. 

Dessert: SCD Strawberry Cake with SCD Cream Cheese Frosting 

The whole cake before it was devoured in two days!

Blowing out the candles for the big 2-7!

I may or may not have had three more slices after inhaling this piece.  This cake was delicate, light and very moist.  Most baked goods on this diet are very heavy and sometimes dry so this was a true joy to eat! This was originally supposed to be just a plain yellow cake but I thought it would be tastier to jazz it up with strawberries.  

Strawberry Cake

Ingredients

1/2 cup blanched almond flour

1/4 cup of coconut flour

1/4 teaspoon salt 

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

3 eggs

1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted) or cooking oil

3 tablespoons honey

1/2 cup coconut milk (or other dairy-free milk)

1 teaspoon vanilla extra

1/2 cup of strawberries 

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit/ 185 degrees Celsius.  Line the bottom of an 8-inch round cake pan with a parchment paper circle or other nonstick covering, or grease the pan well.  

2. Blend all ingredients together in an electric mixer. 

3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

4. Let the cake cool on a wire rack for about 15 minutes, or an hour if you plan to frost the cake. Gently run a knife around the outside edge of the cake to make it easy to remove.

5. Once completely cooled, store covered at room temperature for a few days, or store in the refrigerator for about a week. 

Cream Cheese Frosting 

Ingredients

8 oz of butter (2 sticks)

1 cup of yogurt 

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract 

1/4 cup of honey

Directions

1. Mix butter until smooth

2. Mix in honey

3. Mix in yogurt and vanilla 

Enjoy! :) 

Reading and Eating: Australian Boarding Schools, Flashbacks, Cupcakes and Hummus

Book of the Week: Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

In a Nutshell: 

  Eighteen years ago a brutal accident on Jellicoe Road brought five kids together changing the course of their lives forever.  

  Years later, at the age of eleven, Taylor Markham is abandoned by her mother on the same road.  By seventeen she is reluctantly appointed the student leader of Jellicoe Boarding School as the territory wars with the Cadets and Townies loom ahead.  When Hannah, the closest thing Taylor has to family disappears, she is left with a host of unanswered questions.  Desperate for answers but clouded by misunderstanding Taylor must find a connection between her mothers whereabouts, Hannah's departure, a hermit who once whispered something in her ear, the boy in her dreams, the events of eighteen years ago and even the reappearance of the enigmatic Jonah Griggs if she is to piece together the puzzle of her past.  For in doing so, she may be able to change the direction of her future.

Cast of Characters:

One of the strongest elements of Jellicoe Road is the abundance of characters who practically breathe through the pages.  Marchetta masterfully describes multiple aspects of each person's personality  through just a few lines of dialogue. At once intimidating and vulnerable Taylor Markham is a force to be reckoned with as far as literary characters go.  She's fierce, headstrong, courageous, loyal and deep down longs for lasting relationships despite all the walls she builds around herself.  Luckily she has a friend in the sensitive, determined Raffy, a great foil for Taylor's tough exterior.  Rounding out the trio is goofy Ben who sort of dances to the beat of his own drum (or to his own violin music).  Jonah Griggs, the leader of the Cadets at first appears to be a stoic, tough guy character but as he becomes more integral to Taylor's life a softer, sympathetic side is revealed; the chemistry between the two characters sizzles as well! The story goes back and forth between present day characters and lives of the kids who lived on Jellicoe Road eighteen years ago.  Narnie, Webb, Fitz, Jude and Tate have an amazing bond.  I loved each and every one of them; my heart broke at their tragedies, I smiled at their adventures and longed for their happiness.  Even characters with smaller roles to play were wonderful.  There is Jessa, a younger student at Jellicoe School who is bright and loving; Santengelo, the charming leader of the Townies and Santengelo's parents who are hilarious and nurturing.  By the end of the story, I wished I could transport myself into the book and becomes friends with every single person. 

Novel Seller or Storyteller?:

Deceptively simple, Marchetta's writing eased its way into my soul, creating a world and characters that left an indelible mark.  From the very first page I was captivated by the gut-wrenching beauty emanating in each line of dialogue and description:

I remember asking "What's the difference between a trip and a journey?" and my father said, "Narnie, my love, when we get there, you'll understand," and that was the last thing he ever said." 

"Taylor Markham," she said, "I'm going to say a prayer for you." And although I wanted to mock her and explain I didn't believe in anything or anyone, I realised that no one had ever prayed for me before. So I let her." 

For reasons he couldn't understand a sadness came over him and it was then he saw the girl standing on the other side of the dirt road, her eyes pools of absolute sorrow, her light brown hair glowing in the splinters of sunlight that forced their way through the trees.

And I told him everything.  About my first memory, sitting on the shoulders of a giant who I know can only be my father.  Of touching the sky.  Of lying between two people who read me stories of wild things and journeys with dragons, the soft hum of their voices speaking of love and serenity.  See, I remember love.  That's what people don't understand. 

There are also moments of humor wonderfully dispersed throughout the novel.

On the other side of the cell Jonah Griggs and Santengelo are too busy sizing each other up like two demented pit bulls who have to prove who's got the biggest....attitude.

The Mullet Brothers are offended beyond words, staring at Santangelo as if he has betrayed them, and without even having to consult each other they turn and walk away towards the stage in a huff.

"What she actually means, girls, is what was it like out there? Kind of describe it to us," Jessa says, beaming at them and then at me.  Trini beams at her and there's a lot of beaming happening. 

Theme Song:  

Songs and musicians are intertwined throughout the story ranging from Guns'N'Roses to Kenny Rogers.  Perhaps the most vital to the story is the song Flame Trees by Cold Chisel.  However, I think the cover by Sarah Blasko would suit a film version as opposed to the original  which may sound too dated for a modern film.  I also think the change in arrangement catches the wistfulness so many of the characters feel.  

The Verdict: 

Jellicoe Road is a magnetic, entertaining and at times, devastating story.  I found myself suctioned to each page, entrapped in the lives of its characters.  While there was some confusion at the beginning, everything came together beautifully.  Rarely do I read books I want to revisit but this one was just as amazing the second time around.  I was confronted with the side of myself that longs to belong, to be apart of a community of family and friends, to feel loved unconditionally and to find home.  This may be one of the best books I have ever happened upon in my life, and it will not be soon forgotten.  

Tasty Eats of the Week: 

Peanut Butter Surprise Cupcakes 

My friend P. from London sent me this recipe a few weeks ago.  I had written off using coconut flour exclusively in my recipes after making coconut cookies the first week I was on the SCD diet.  They turned out tasty but EXTREMELY dry.  To my surprise and delight these cupcakes were light and buttery.  You can get the recipe for these here.  I cut the recipe for the peanut butter surprise part in half which turned out really well.  You can also substitute with almond butter.  

Garlic and Lentil Hummus with Carrots and Dried Apricot

I used to really enjoy eating hummus before I went on my diet.  Most store-bought hummus contains garbanzo beans and lots of additives both of which are illegal on the SCD diet.  This turned out a bit blander than I had hoped but it goes really well with vegetables and dried apricots (weird, I know!).  Next time I am going to add more spices and even more garlic.  I used pressed garlic from a bottle I bought at Trader Joe's instead of roasting the garlic and crushing it up myself.  That could have influenced the taste as well.  The directions call for soaking the lentils up to 6 hours, however you only need to do this if you are on the SCD diet.  If not, you can skip that step! The recipe for the hummus is here.