Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Flourless Orange Cake






I think being a mother is easy & hard all at the same time.

Some days start off with smiles, kisses, and hugs. Some days start off with trials, hisses, and shrugs. I think the thing that really mucks things up is not knowing what kind of day it’s going to be. I thought with my now 2.5 years of experience I could share some things I have learned, seven of them to be exact.


I chose the number seven since I was tagged by a lovely blogger Sara in Le Petit Village to do so, I really enjoy her blog and adventures.


Here is my list of seven things that might mean you’re in for a bad day.







Number 7. If you start off your day having to physically restrain your child to put on his or her shirt for the 17th time, that morning, chances are it might be a bad day.


Number 6. If your child asks for Chocolate Milk and you think to yourself that 15 sippies is surpassing the optimum amount of chocolate milk your child should consume…think again my friend, give in…or chances are it might end up a bad day.


Number 5. If for some reason you need to watch the news while Dora is on, watch out my friend because it might be a bad day.


Number 4. Picture this, your child, a balloon, loosely tied to their had, a wind gust...yeah bad day


Number 3. If you don’t read 87.5 books, brush just right, twirl around 5 times while chewing gum, plus arrange the teddy bears on their bed just right…watch out baby there’s a bad day in your future.


Number 2. Target, Toy Aisle, you are not there to buy a toy = bad day for sure


Number 1. I love you Indigo despite any bad day because the good ones are just too bright….speaking of bright. Number 1 if the sun comes up…you guessed it – it just might be a bad day, but just as good a chance for a great one.







INGREDIENTS
Delightfully borrowed from CitrusAndCandy

2 medium oranges, seedless (remove them if not after boiling)
6 eggs
1 C caster sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 C ground almonds / almond meal








DIRECTIONS

Preheat your oven to 350 and prepare a baking pan, I used a large spring form.


Place the oranges whole (skin and all) in a pot and fill with cold water to cover. Place over a high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer, uncovered for 20 minutes or so then drain the oranges, place it back in the pot and refill with more cold water.


Repeat the process by bringing to the boil, simmer for 20 minutes then drain and refresh with more cold water. Bring it a boil and simmer for about an hour then drain the oranges and set them aside to cool. This might take up to two hours, I did this the evening before baking.








When the oranges have cooled, roughly chop them to pieces and remove any seeds and white pith . Place in a blender or food processor (the whole thing). Blend until a fine puree. Measure out 1 1/4 cups of the puree.


Beat the eggs, sugar and baking powder with an electric mixer until thickened a pale yellow. Add in the ground almonds and mix in well.








On a low speed, add in the orange puree in two or three batches allowing it to beat for at least 20 seconds after each addition.



Pour into prepared tin and bake for about 50 minutes to an hour. Cool & serve…to your toddler if you must.



35 comments:

Rachel said...

I don't think you could have possibly summed up life with a toddler (especially a toddler girl) any better! My daughter will be 3 in 3 weeks and I can SO relate to everything you mentioned! You literally had me laughing out loud! It was all SO very true!!!!!!

Your cake looks delicious and very refreshing!

Tracy said...

Mmm, this cake sounds delicious! So bright and zesty!

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

So lovely! I adore the flavor of oranges.

Cheers,

Rosa

Fun and Fearless in Beantown said...

I think I need to make a list like this for my boss ;-)

Vittoria said...

Your photos are always so sunny and bright, I want to move wherever you are!

La Bella Cooks said...

What a lovely and bright flavored cake. Perfect for gloomy weather.

Michele said...

Tell me that's not what it looks like outside your window right now! I'm still looking at lots of grey and snow-ucky! I would trade for your view any day, however I would also settle for this little cake. I love citrus desserts and this looks very refreshing.

FOODESSA said...

I love citrus cakes...and yours turned out looking quite elegant. I can imagine the scrumptious flavour ;o)

Ciao for now,
Claudia

Unknown said...

Gorgeous. I love that there are only 5 ingredients. And by the way... I'm having a glass (or 2) of wine tonight. You know, because it's a Tuesday.

Reeni said...

Any day is a good day with this ray of sunshine cake in it! Simply scrumptious!

teresa said...

oh how i remember those days! i don't have to restrain my five year old daughter to get her dressed, but we still fight about what she's going to wear! loved this post.

and i love that cake, oh my goodness, that would cure any bad day!

Rosy said...

I could really use some citrus in my life. I'm so ready for spring! Looks beautiful.

scrambledhenfruit said...

A whole orange? Interesting! Sounds delicious. My kids are all grown, but you sure did bring back memories! :)

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Fantastic recipe ~ loooks great!

ahh... how I remember some of those bad days. But they pass and the good ones always make up for the harder ones :)

Blessings sweet blogging friend!

Laurie {Simply Scratch} said...

#2 for sure!! OMG.. laughing hard at these!They are SO true... I hate to tell ya this, but even when they are 6 and 9 it still the same!!! Xo!

Sara Louise said...

So very funny funny and true! The one about the toy aisle and not being three to buy a toy brought me back to my childhood and feelings of. "but it's not fair!".
Thanks for playing alone, I really liked your seven things :-)

Bo said...

This is a most unusual recipe...sounds like a must try!

Heather S-G said...

Aw, so sweet =) And the cake looks fabulous, too. And can I tell you how jealous I am of that gorgeous sunny day outside your window? SO JEALOUS!

Unknown said...

I can't decide, after reading those 7 things, if I'm happy or sad that I don't have kids?? lol
The cake looks incredible! I love the simplicity of the ingredients!

Sue said...

The perfect cake for a bright sunny day, and eating it is a good way to make any bad day, good!

Unknown said...

The cake looks incredibly delicious. It will definitely make my bad day, good.

Clements Family said...

I love flourless cakes! That looks delish!

Anna said...

OMG, you have no idea how long I've been looking for a recipe for a flourless orange cake! I had it several years ago while on vacation in Australia at a tiny cafe and I loved it, but I haven't been able to find a recipe since. I need go get my hands on some oranges pronto!

And thank you for the lovely comment you left on my blog, you're very sweet :D

Georgia | The Comfort of Cooking said...

Oh my, this cake looks incredible Jen! You always make the most scrumptious looking desserts. Must, must try this with my surplus of citrus! Thanks for sharing.

Jenn @ Peas and Crayons said...

This looks soooo good! I need someone to come bake for me! <3

Is the take home lesson that kids run your life? Please tell me they are 100x worth it! haha or i'm in for some troooouuuuuuble!

xoXOxo
Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

Deborah said...

First of all, I wish that was the view out my window right now!! And I can relate to every single one of those points! Your cake looks lovely and like it would turn any bad day into a good one.

Eliana said...

Hmmm - this cake looks and sounds delicious. Full of the bright citrus I need to get me through what is left of this winter.

rebecca said...

i donno what looks prettier... the cake or the pics!

aipi said...

Do I smell citrus or is my mind playing games with me... seriously, the cake looks so nice and moist you could almost smell it from the snap..

US Masala

Monet said...

This cake looks and sounds delicious. And I loved hearing your list...Indigo and you are just precious, and I know that all the trials can't begin to compare with the joy that she brings. Thank you for sharing your tasty treat with me. I hope you are having a happy and warm Wednesday night.

Holly said...

Love your 7;) This orange cake sounds like summer!

Bite my cake said...

Lovely post and beautiful cake. I've just stumbled upon your blog and I love it, looking forward to keeping track :)

Lorraine said...

With this wonderful cake, it is all good:) Sounds delicious.

Val said...

My mouth won't stop drooling!!!

erica said...

Oh my word!!! This looks and sounds absolutely HEAVENLY! I will definitely need to make this!

xo