Polish Easter Bundt Cake

A simple, sweet holiday cake that goes great with steamy espresso.

Makes 1 regular-sized bundt cake

4 egg whites
¾ cup sugar
4 egg yolks
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup potato starch
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 sticks lactose-free margarine, gently melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a regular-sized bundt cake pan and set aside.

In a mixing bowl, beat egg whites and sugar until stiff peaks appear. Add egg yolks, starch, flour, baking powder, and vanilla. Mix well. Stir in melted margarine.

Pour batter into bundt cake pan. Bake for about 30 minutes. Turn cake out onto wire rack and let cool. Sprinkle powdered sugar over the top and enjoy!

Express Apple Cake

Apple cake anyone?  This one is great for a quick brunch or dessert!

Makes 8-10 servings

4 eggs
1 envelope of vanilla sugar
1 cup cane sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
1 Tbsp orange peel
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder (Click here for a recipe for corn-free baking powder)
½ cup vegetable oil
3 apples, peeled and thickly sliced

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

With an electric mixer, mix eggs and both sugars until the mixture becomes lightly yellow. Gradually add flour while continuously mixing at low speed.

Add baking soda, baking powder, orange peel, and oil. Mix well. Arrange apple slices on top.

Grease the bottom of a large spring form pan. Pour the mixture into the spring form. Bake for about 50-60 minutes.

Serve warm by the slice. Try it a la mode!

Unexpected GMO Products

The term GM foods or GMOs (genetically-modified organisms) is most commonly used to refer to crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques. These plants have been modified in the laboratory to enhance desired traits, such as increased resistance to herbicides or improved nutritional content. The enhancement of desired traits has traditionally been undertaken through breeding, but conventional plant breeding methods can be very time consuming and are often not very accurate  (www.csa.com).

Genetically modifying food leads to changes of a plant’s DNA and may lead to unintended and undesirable health effects.

Corn is one of the top genetically modified (GM) crops. Research shows that GM giant Monsanto corn is linked to organ failure in rats.  Researches wrote:

"Effects were mostly concentrated in kidney and liver function, the two major diet detoxification organs, but in detail differed with each GM type. In addition, some effects on heart, adrenal, spleen and blood cells were also frequently noted. As there normally exists sex differences in liver and kidney metabolism, the highly statistically significant disturbances in the function of these organs, seen between male and female rats, cannot be dismissed as biologically insignificant as has been proposed by others. We therefore conclude that our data strongly suggests that these GM maize varieties induce a state of hepatorenal toxicity.... These substances have never before been an integral part of the human or animal diet and therefore their health consequences for those who consume them, especially over long time periods are currently unknown."

Other varieties of GM corn may also pose health risk.

Considering that corn can be a hidden ingredient of many of the foods we consume everyday, we must be vigilant about ingredient list as well as do our own research.

Did you know that table salt, baking powder, and even medications could contain GM corn?

1. Table salt: Iodized salt contains cornstarch to help iodine particles adhere to salt crystals. You don’t even see cornstarch on the ingredient list…


2. Baking powder: It contains cornstarch! You may find baking soda with potato or wheat starch in a local specialty store.


3. Medications: Yes, even medicines contain corn derivatives. If you want an alternative, inquire at your local compounding pharmacy and be ready to pay the price.

Recipe for cornstarch-free homemade baking powder

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon potato starch

Mix all ingredients until well combined. Use immediately or store in an air-tight container.

Yield: 1 tablespoon of baking powder

Orange Biscotti

Great served with coffee for dessert or breakfast.

2 cups all-purpose flour

¾ cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. baking powder (click for the recipe for corn-free baking powder)

3 eggs

2 tablespoons orange zest

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and vanilla. 

In a separate bowl, blend eggs and orange zest. Add to other ingredients and mix well. Divide dough in two and shape into 2 wide loaves. Place on a cookie sheet. Bake for 35 minutes. 

Slice into long biscotti cookies and let cool on wire rack.

TIP

Add dried cranberries for a sweet treat. 

Speedy Apple Carrot Salad

This is a new take on traditional slaw. Instead of cabbage, try apples!

Makes 2-4 servings

3 carrots
2 apples (Empire or Granny Smith)
3-4 teaspoons sugar
lemon juice
1 tablespoon Sassy Sour Cream* (optional)

Shred carrots and apples or slice them in strips. Sprinkle with lemon juice to prevent from turning brown. Add sugar to taste. 

Curry Bean Stew

This fragrant, hearty dish is great on its own or spooned over rice or potatoes.

Makes 2-4 servings

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, diced
1 Polish sausage, cubed
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon curry powder
2 cans butter beans, drained
5 tablespoons ketchup
1 cup water
salt and pepper to taste

In a pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and sausage, and cook stirring occasionally until onion turns golden brown. Add garlic and curry and cook until fragrant, about 20-30 seconds.  Add beans, ketchup, salt, pepper and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook about 15 minutes. Uncover and cook until sauce is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes.

Serve topped with cilantro or parsley.

Chicken Cutlets

Crispy and full of flavor, these chicken cutlets are lightning quick to prepare -- great for an easy meal after a long day at work.

Serves 2-4

4 chicken breasts
½ cup Italian dressing
1 egg white, beaten with a fork
1 bowl fine bread crumbs
salt and pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying)

Tenderize chicken breasts with a meat mallet. Then coat the cutlets with Italian dressing and refrigerate at least 1-2 hours. (You can leave these marinating overnight or all day while you're at work.)

Add salt and pepper to egg white. Dip each cutlet in egg white, then in crumbs. Fry in hot oil until done.


Serve with mashed potatoes sprinkled with dill or parsley.