Cooking with Love

with Gianna Conte    (Jan)

Walnuts are so versatile......

Walnuts are so versatile......

Need a quick appetizer? Nuts are always a good choice

I need a snack for my outdoor concert tonight. I check my pantry and find a full bag of walnuts. I really don't have too much time, so I take a shortcut. By golly, they came out pretty good. Easy peasy!

16 oz bag of walnuts

1/2 cup any kind of sugar

1/4 tsp kosher salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare  cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

In bowl, combine ingredients and toss well. Place in oven for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and carefully add to saucepan. Stir constantly. Do not burn. Stir like you've never stirred before😊.

When sugar is melted, place carefully on the parchment lined cookie sheet to cool. Break apart when cooled.

Note: I cannot stress this enough, taste the nuts to make sure they are fresh before wasting your time. Keep nuts in your freezer to ensure freshness.

They're addicting....watch out!

They're addicting....watch out!



Let's get baking!


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees


 1 whole thin skinned orange, remove the stem and cut in quarters. Keep the skin on the oranges.

In a clean large food processor, add the orange quarters, 1 1/4 cups of sugar, three large eggs, 1 tsp of vanilla, 1 tsp of orange extract, 1 tbsp of Triple Sec liqueur, optional, 2/3 cup vegetable oil. 


Pulse all ingredients in the processor and then puree until mixture becomes a batter with specs of orange peel.


Add to the processor:


2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt


Process all dry ingredients until they are entirely incorporated into the batter.


Bake in a greased and floured spring pan, using a parchment paper circle on top of the greased bottom.*


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place in the center rack of the oven.  Bake for 30-40 minutes, depending on your oven.


Remove from your oven and let it cool down completely. Dust with powdered sugar or make a drizzle of 1/4 cup powdered sugar and fresh squeezed orange until thick and smooth.  Pour onto the cooled fresh orange cake.


*if you don't have a large processor, you can use a blender.


Enjoy with some espresso and close your eyes and it will feel like you're in Sicily.