Friday, April 4, 2014

FFWD Visitandine and Vegetable Barley Soup with the Taste of Little India


One of my grandmother's oldest friends, Mrs. Lazaar, made an incredible sponge cake.  Even the Kosher for Passover version was light, airy, and delicious.  I am no Mrs. Lazaar.  I seriously struggle with sponge cake.  I think I must not be folding in the eggs correctly.  I need to watch a video or something, or at least learn to be more patient.  They always deflate.  This time was particularly bad.  I didn't want to run the mixer after Charlotte was asleep (she's still an incredibly light sleeper), so I beat the eggs and then left them while I gave her a bath and put her to bed.  Big mistake.  When I came back the eggs had almost separated.  There were some very beaten whites (almost like snow) and then liquid on the bottom.  I also didn't do a great job of separating the eggs (no clue why), so that may have contributed.  So anyway, my cake was dense and didn't rise at all.  It still tasted good though.  I like the clean butter and sugar flavor.  I served it with whipped cream and some peaches that we canned over the summer, and we were both happy.  I'd like to make this one again.  My technique definitely needs practice.


On another note, I'd like to post a correction to my last post.  I, mistakenly, wrote that "With some supervision/instruction on my part, Paul made these tartes along with a kale and wild rice gratin."   For probably the first time ever Paul actually read that post, and wanted me to clarify that he did not need any supervision or instruction.  He wants everyone to know that he made the tarts and the gratin all by himself!  I tried reminding him that I shopped, reviewed the ingredients with him, and rolled out and cut the puff pastry rounds, but I'm trying to learn to pick my battles, so I won't argue....The Vegetable Barley Soup, on the other hand, Paul actually did make all by himself.  We were both pretty skeptical, Indian flavored barley soup in a French cookbook just sounded confused, but we actually loved it.  I thought the flavors worked really nicely.  My one quibble is with the claim that the recipe serves six.  We ate almost the entire thing in one sitting!  This is definitely a recipe I'll make again.

13 comments:

  1. Yes, you are right to choose your battles. Howard has asked me to correct statements about him and his participation in or enjoyment of certain dishes. At least we know our husbands are reading our posts!
    I messed up my cake too. I intended to half the recipe, but forgot to halve the butter, so used double the butter. Then, I almost had an oven fire. It came out alright though. I think this is a forgiving cake.
    Have a great weekend.

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  2. The things we do for our other half! Love your cake and that soup!

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  3. Jora, your Visitandine looks delightful with the peaches and homemade/canned peaches on top - the cake is supposed to be flat, so it looks perfect to me, deflated eggwhites or not.The "simple look" is what I liked best about this recipe.
    Glad that you both also enjoyed the barley soup with the wonderful warm spices.We thought it was an interesting recipe.
    Hugs to Charlotte and have a nice weekend!

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  4. Kevin reads my posts each week and has definitely given me feedback on any statements pertaining to him! I laughed out loud when I read about Paul's response to your last post. His soup looks delicious.

    Your cake looks lovely - I think this recipe is very forgiving. I also think it would be great with the whipped cream and peaches.

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  5. Jora, I think your cake looks lovely…peaches and cream…a perfect paring! I also laughed when I read Paul’s response to last week’s post. Honestly he seems to be quite capable in the kitchen. Nice soup!

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  6. My husband reads all of my post, fortunately my kids do not. Sorry you had to learn the rules of eggs... can not be left til later.. It does still look tasty.

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  7. Too funny, I laughed out loud at your retraction:-) I have yet to hear any evidence that my husband reads my posts. Probably for the better.

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  8. We have a rule. If I never mention him he won't correct my spelling and grammar mistakes.

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  9. That's funny. But nice of you to clarify for him. Your cake looks great and about that soup- it was delicious- even thought it wasn't too authentically Indian or French. Glad you liked it as well!

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  10. Hi Jora, separated eggs or not the important think is that it tasted great and you enjoyed it! We also loved the soup and I will be making it again soon. My husband acts like my editor! He corrects the posts and gives the final approval before they go live so I have no choice but to write good things about him :) :) Have a great week!

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  11. LOL, too cute about your correction :) Bill never, ever reads my posts...but sometimes the nurses at work who read my blog will make comments so I have to be a bit careful! Yeah, I've had my egg whites do that, too...I think you have to use them immediately...plus there's a fine line between beaten and over beaten.

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  12. Joe doesn't read my site, but my sister always makes a point of ratting me out if I mispeak :-)
    Eggs can be tricky - but it sounds like it worked out alright in the end. Sleeping kids take priority!

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