Orange Banana Matcha Smoothie

Zen ~ "A state of focus that incorporates a toghetherness of body and mind.  Zen is a way of being.  It's also a state of mind.  Zen involves dropping illusion and seeing things without distortion created by your own thoughts."

~ Urban Dictionary

Oh how I could use a bit of zen in my daily life.  With multiple schedules vying for my attention, a dog wanting a walk, errands and household chores to be done, meals to be made and a husband asking if I want to go to lunch, my mind often finds itself overwhelmed and in desperate need of focus.  

And that's how I expect Rebekah, of Making Miracles, must feel sometimes as well.  Making Miracles with her own family as well as spreading love to others, Rebekah also finds time to keep her blog filled with recipes.  And it was those recipes I perused to fulfill this month's Blogger C.L.U.E. Assignment of "Healthy".  Piquing my interest??  Rebekkah's refreshing Orange Matcha Smoothie.

A new find for me in 2016, matcha simply exudes health.  Definitely not a new product as green tea dates back some 5,000 years and is described as "so precious it could only be of royal origins promoting health in mind and body." ~ The Way of Matcha, but new to my kitchen and I'm ever so happy.

Thankfully matcha now finds itself available to us common folk as well as those royals, and a quick click of the mouse will have Amazon sending you an organic Japanese version in under 48 hours.

But what makes matcha healthy?  First off -  antioxidants.  Lots of them, and some special ones at that.  Apparently in the antioxidant world, catechins make up some of the most powerful antioxidants, and one in particular - the epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) - makes up some 60% of matcha's catechins.  Known for its cancer fighting properties, EGCg definitely fills that healthy bill.

In addition, matcha brings health to the mind with its calming yet focusing effects. Long used by Chinese Daoists and Zen Buddhists, matcha green tea allows one to relax while still remaining alert.  Known to enhance mood, improve memory and increase concentration, matcha shows a picture of health.

Covered during the last few weeks of growth the tea leaves are deprived of light, thereby causing a tremendous increase in chlorophyll production in the new growth and thereby bringing matcha is brilliant green hues.  With those high amounts of chlorophyll matcha adds detox abilities to its already amazing resume.  Removing heavy metals and chemical toxins from the body, matcha is more than just "zen".

Have I convinced you on matcha yet?  My husband actually convinced me weeks ago when he sent articles on matcha and proceeded to order an organic culinary (made for adding to foods, not for making tea) grade all on his own - not something he normally does.  But what to do with it?

Thanks to Rebekkah and my dad's orange crop (he dropped a Trader Joe's sized bag of the fruit on my doorstep a few days ago!) we now have a new regular smoothie in our repertoire.  Refreshing with bright orange and green tea flavors, the smoothie finds its creaminess from frozen banana.

Sighing as I slowly sipped, I closed my eyes wroking on the schedule for the busy day in front of me.  Feeling amazingly calm the schedule somehow seemed manageable.  

Perhaps it was the additional focus and concentrating power of the tea, or maybe it was just the fact I was home alone with a puppy on my lap and a fabulous smoothie in front of me... whichever, it was that Matcha Smoothie that put me into a zen state of mind.  You'll find me sipping another tomorrow.

Now join me as we focus on the rest of our Blogger C.L.U.E. Group to explore even more healthy offerings from around the world!

  

   

Apricot Muffins by Azmina from Lawyer Loves Lunch

   

Broccoli Stalk Feta Salad by Stacy from Food Lust People Love

   

Citrus Shrimp by Lauren from Sew You Think You Can Cook

   

Couscous with Chicken and Vegetables by Sue from A Palatable Pastime

   

Ginger-Citrus Grilled Salmon by Kathy from A Spoonful of Thyme

   

Irish Seafood Cocktail by Kate from Kate's Kitchen

   

Massaged Kale Salad by Anna from annaDishes

   

Mediterranean Chopped Salad by Christy from Confessions of a Culinary Diva

   

Middle Eastern Vegetable Salad by Christiane from Taking on Magazines

   

Orange Banana Matcha Smoothie by Kim from Liv Life

   

Red Lion Inn Swordfish by Lea Ann from Cooking on the Ranch

   

Roasted Carrots and Cauliflower (with a kick) by Debra from Eliot's Eats

   

Sophie's Chopped Salad by Rebekah from Making Miracles

   

Thai Salad with Peanut Dressing by Liz from That Skinny Chick Can Bake

   

White Bean Chili by Lisa from Authentic Suburban Gourmet

   

Winter Salad of Roasted Beets, Avocado and Grapefruit by Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm

Don't want your smoothie in a cup?  Turn it into a Smoothie Bowl topped with extra goodies like sliced banana, frozen blueberries, granola, seeds and nuts.

Triple Orange Holiday Biscotti

Our lights are up and twinkling, the tree is decorated, shopping mostly done and presents wrapped.  But somehow this year I feel like I'm simply going through the motions.  My heart just isn't into the season, and while I have girlfriends pledging to induce holiday spirit, so far I'm not feeling it.

Hence, the appropriate action seems to bake.  Somehow mixing together flour and sugar always puts me into a better frame of mind, but add a little Grand Marnier and we have something special, don't we?

Crunchy yet not crisp, these Triple Orange Biscotti have been a tradition on my holiday platters since the recipe release in 2003.  Featured in Fine Cooking, Susan Betz's recipe has been made close to 30 times in my kitchen with yearly requests from neighbors and friends.

A lovely hostess gift or entry into a cookie exchange, the biscotti also works wonders alongside an afternoon cup of coffee.

Adaptable and forgiving, I've "healthified" the cookies on occasion by reducing the oil and adding whole wheat or spelt flours, but for the holidays I usually stick to the original recipe and these bright biscotti induce smiles with every bite.

The recipe comments the dough will be sticky... and be aware they really mean it.  Sticky... very, very sticky - the dough almost seems slack, as if it will puddle off of the cookie sheet.  But no worries, it won't.

Attitude adjustment?  I think we have success.

Maple Orange Cranberry Sauce with a Touch of Grand Marnier

Ahhh Cranberry Sauce!  The ultimate Thanksgiving condiment.  Lovely on your holiday table, but in my opinion, even better on a day after sandwich or spooned atop a dollop of goat cheese baked in puff pastry.  But however you enjoy it, homemade is ultimately better than the one from a can.  Though I do have friends who will oppose that statement...

Over the years my tastes have moved from super sweet mostly sugar sauces to versions boosting the cranberry flavors which bring with them loads of health benefits.  

Did you know the cranberry outranks nearly every fruit in disease-fighting antioxidants with only the blueberry ranking higher?  Filled with vitamin C and fiber, cranberries have been associated with lowered risk of urinary tract infections, prevention of certain types of cancers, improved immune functions and decreased blood pressure.

But how did Cranberry Sauce come to be a Thanksgiving tradition?  A native to northeastern North America, the pilgrims most likely had cranberries available to them, however sugar was much harder to come by.  As such, cranberry sauce probably did not accompany the first Thanksgiving.  But, the Native Americans mostly likely taught the new settlers how to use cranberries and their natural preservative power - cranberries were mixed into dried meat meals to extend its shelf life.  The beginning of cranberries at Thanksgiving??  Perhaps.

Whatever the origin, cranberry sauce is here to stay and making your own couldn't be simpler.  Making a no refined sugar version this year I think I've stumbled upon a new favorite with the addition of rich pure maple syrup and sweet, freshly squeezed orange juice.  The splah of Grand Marnier??  Just adding a dash of heaven to tie it all together.

Happy Thanksgiving my friends, may your holiday be filled with delight!

Strawberry Banana Popsicles (Shhh... no sugar added!)

Seems the rest of the country is turning to thoughts of back to school and fall, but here in San Diego summer is just getting going.  Our weather has been a bit strange this year bringing rain (a rare occurrence for us), heavy marine layers that hide the sun for days at a time, and cooler temps.  Until this week.

This morning I woke to a brilliant sun peeking over the horizon and temps already warmer than some of the highs from the past few weeks.  And with no air conditioning in our house, popsicles seemed a "cool" plan.

Serving double duty, these popsicles also served as temporary ice packs filled with fruit for my girl who underwent oral surgery yesterday.  Her somewhat confused teeth set a permanent tooth shooting horizontally low in her jaw and left  unchecked would have sheared off the roots of her front teeth.  Hence, the tooth needed to come out, and along with a bit of bone, she's now free of the rouge bicuspid and nursing a sore jaw.

As we know from my prior post (surgery has been all in the family this last week) the after effects of anesthesia and pain meds can be not so pleasant, hence the all fruit popsicle to reset my girl's tummy.

A simple recipe of bananas, strawberries, chia and a few splashes of oj, brought all of Liv's favorite ingredients together and packed the nutrition I was looking for.  Banana?  Filled with fiber bananas can help ease the uncomfortable after effects of narcotic pain meds, and acting as a prebiotic the fruits assist the growth of friendly gut bacteria which are wiped out by antibiotics.  Add in the fact that the high levels of vitamin B-6 can help reduce swelling and we have a real winner.

Next we have strawberries, rich in antioxidants, the Vitamin C in the berries gives the immune system a boost along with more fiber and their fabulous sweetness.

"Strawberries are the angels of the earth, innocent and sweet with leafy green wings reaching heavenward."

Jasmine Heiler

And next orange juice... also packed with that immune boosting Vitamin C, orange juice is said to help reduce inflammation and heck, it's also good for your heart.  A few splashes perk up any smoothie or popsicle and work as the perfect liquefying agent for our blend.

So here's to summer, fat lips and simply hanging by the pool.  Wishing you a happy and healthy day filled with balance and a little bit of chill.

California Quinoa Orange Salad

Living in San Diego our winter has been nearly nonexistent this year... and I'm not complaining in the least.  With recent highs tipping 78º, my roses are filled with foliage, the irises are sporting buds a month early and the orange trees are heavy with fruit.  Dad has been by weekly with bags of orange overflow from his tree, and now with our tree in peak condition I've got oranges everywhere.

Trying not to let any of the precious fruits go to waste we've been sharing with neighbors as well as dropping whole oranges into our smoothies.  The fruit has been popping up in nearly every meal.  From scones to salmon to simple salads, orange is a flavor my entire family embraces, and this California Quinoa Salad is no different.

Filled with my beloved, protein-rich quinoa, the tiny seeds soak up the orange flavors and combine with spices and cilantro to bring a winter salad, San Diego style, to the table.  Black beans up the protein content and a bed of spicy arugula, or rocket as they call it in Australia (I love the name rocket!), rounds out the ingredients.  Only a perfect avocado could have made this concoction any better, and word has it that a certain teenage boy finished off the last avo, hence we find ourselves completely unexpectedly "avocadoless" and in need of a run to the grocery store.

Bright and flavorful, this salad will bring a little sunshine into your Polar Vortex... wishing you all sun and warmth soon!

California Power Pomegranate Smoothie

After a relatively healthy 2013, the last few days of the year and the first few weeks of this year have been filled with "issues".  Everyone is currently as healthy as can be expected, but we've had hospital visits, rest home visits, veterinarian visits, along with twisted ankles and a few sniffles.  Hence, our eating habits have worked their way up to some of the healthiest we've ever enjoyed, and along with a lovely dose of California sunshine and a few of Dad's fresh from the tree oranges we're hoping to get everyone back on track.

Liv and her brother have always loved smoothies, but they have been known to be picky on occasion as they see me adding certain ingredients.  Both have different areas in their diet where they need a little boost, and as such I try to push those ingredients into smoothies.

But you should see the face of my nearly 18-year old boy as I reach for a handful of spinach to pop into his smoothie.  "No way!" he exclaims,  "I'm not drinking spinach in a smoothie!".  His face drops even further as I let him know I've been adding spinach to his smoothies since he was a baby and he never knew it.

Liv, on the other hand, pulled a face of her own as I dumped a few tablespoons of oatmeal into her sweet concoction.  "Seriously??  You're putting oatmeal into a drink?".  Yep... been doing that for years too.

So today we bring you our current favorite power smoothie... one filled with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and some fiber thrown in for good measure.  Here's hoping this beauty keeps you on the healthy track too.

Triple Orange Biscotti ~ #ChristmasWeek #CakeBossBaking

Welcome to Day #6 of Christmas Week, a multi-blogger event co-hosted by Kim of Cravings of a Lunatic and Jen from Juanita’s Cocina!  Each day we will be celebrating the holidays with a different set of Christmas-themed treats, as well as a fabulous Christmas giveaway.  We hope you enjoy this fabulous event.  Tune in each day starting today, Monday, December 9th and ending Saturday, December 14th.

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A few weeks ago I posted about my holiday spirit... or as you may remember, it was my lack of holiday spirit that concerned Liv and had her proclaiming how much more joyful other moms made the season.  Well, this year I've been working on it, and I'm succeeding!

Christmas Spirit just may be a state of mind, but embracing this season has had my December a really joyful place.  From decorating and shopping to  wrapping presents and writing cards, this season has been amazingly fun and I owe a part of my joyousness to Kim and Jen for setting up #ChristmasWeek and including me in the festivities.

Reading the cheerful and jolly posts from this fabulous group of food bloggers, one's heart can't help but soar.  And today, we wrap up this celebration with even more treats and one final giveaway... the best of the week according to Liv.  Everyone knows Buddy from the Cake Boss right?  Check below for this awesome Cake Boss bakeware and tools giveaway!

But first we have a treat.  The amazingly bright Triple Orange Biscotti.  If you're a regular reader of Liv Life, you can probably guess my favorite ingredient of the orange trio... that heavenly and luscious Grand Marnier. 

While the recipe includes only a few tablespoons of the ambrosial liquor, I've found the ingredient truly takes the biscotti up a level.  Along with fragrant orange zest in combination with the juice of a seasonal sweet orange, these crunchy treats bring a brightness to your morning coffee and a perk to an afternoon treat.

Packaged in a cute tin or a clear bag with a bow, these cookies make an ideal hostess gift, and with the decent sized result from the recipe, there are always plenty to save a few for yourself.

I've been making biscotti for some 20 years, and while I love everything about these cookies, I have to admit their sticky dough is one of the most challenging I've worked with.  A Fine Cooking recipe from 2003, I've made this recipe several times as written as well as with a few variations, all with success.

With olive oil included in the ingredient list, I've occasionally left the oil out to reduce the calorie count, and I've also substituted whole wheat flour for a portion of the all-purpose.  But for the holidays I usually stick to the original recipe and these sunny biscotti are always welcomed with a smile.

The recipe comments that the dough will be sticky... and be aware that they really mean it.  Sticky... very, very sticky.  Making my biscotti yesterday I decided to try two batches, one exactly as written in 2003 and the second, making changes where I figured I could probably make the biscotti better.

How did they turn out??  Well... lets just say both versions were exceedingly good, and while my version was innately easier to work with, the Fine Cooking version baked up better.  Hence, I'm sticking with the sticky dough (it almost seems slack, as if it will puddle off of the cookie sheet, but it won't) and admitting that Fine Cooking really might know as much as, or perhaps... a little more than I about baking.

But who knows more about baking than anyone??  The Cake Boss!!  And wouldn't you love to be the lucky recipient of this fabulous giveaway???  Liv looked at it this morning and exclaimed, "Why, oh why did you have to write for this one?  What were you thinking??"  I believe I got one of my first serious eye rolls included somewhere in there too.  But she's kind of right, how cool is this???!!!

Today’s #ChristmasWeek giveaway comes courtesy of Cake Boss Baking. Cake Boss Baking is the new branded bake ware from Buddy Valastro, the talented chef and baker behind the TLC TV show, "Cake Boss". Cake Boss Baking features a full line of cake pans, decorating tools, dessert plates and more, with product for all levels of expertise. Cake Boss Baking is offering one #ChristmasWeek reader the opportunity to win a prize package full of baking tools and essentials {ARV: $260}, including: 

To enter, read the details and use the Rafflecopter below!
 
 ***This giveaway is for one Cake Boss Baking baking essentials prize pack (details listed above).  This giveaway is open to Continental US residents only.  When the contest concludes, the winner will be chosen by random draw.  The winner will be notified through e-mail and they will have 3 days to respond or another winner will be chosen.***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And now that you've entered to win that awesome prize package, take a trip with me to see what everyone else brought to close out this fabulous #ChristmasWeek!

How To Make Perfect Gingerbread People by Cravings of a Lunatic

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Cobbler by Juanita's Cocina

S'mores Fudge by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks

Cherry Noir Noel by Noshing With The Nolands

Japanese Blondies by Ninja Baking

Peanut Brittle by Food Lust People Love

Elf Nibbles by Dizzy Busy and Hungry

Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookies with Salted Caramel by Rants From My Crazy Kitchen

Gingerbread Men Cookies by Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts

Mint Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookie Bars by Mom's Test Kitchen

Penuche by Cooking In Stilettos

Triple Orange Biscotti by Liv Life

Homemade Caramels by Jen's Favorite Cookies

Kerstol (Dutch Christmas Bread) by The Dutch Baker's Daughter

Dark Chocolate Orange Ricotta Tart with Honey Almond Crust by Cupcakes & Kale Chips

Tropical Toffee Brittle by Home Cooking Memories

Chocolate Raspberry Linzer Cookies by Pineapple and Coconut

Lemon-Pistachio and White Chocolate Biscotti by The Little Ferraro Kitchen 

 

Irresistible Orange Sweet Potatoes with Almond Streusel

Some dishes only come around a few times a year.  And while I  really can't think of a good reason to wait an entire year for something so good, we do.  While we do eat Sweet Potatoes often, these orange laced, incredible, awesome, fabulous, luscious, irresistible, exquisite, heavenly, sumptuous sweet potatoes usually only find their way to or table around the holidays and I savor each and every bite.  Why I wait all year to make something I love so much I don't know, but, a holiday tradition for years, these sweet potatoes are something I can't have Thanksgiving without.

Laced with the essence of orange and enhanced with a generous splash of my beloved Grand Marier, this sidedish is low on added sugar and butter and relies on fresh ingredients to bring that luscious mouth-feel and flavor to the plate.  Sprinkled with a toasted streusel of almond and a touch of paprika, these sweets aren't your over the top ooey-gooey marshmallow topped sweets of your childhood.  They're so much better.

I'll admit I've tried for the last 3 years to bring a decent photograph to you, and even though I'm still not thrilled with this year's shots, I've decided this recipe is just too good not to share.  My favorite Thanksgiving dish of all time, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!  Happy Holidays my friends!!

Spinach Salad with Orange Vinaigrette and Prosciutto

As spring unfolds her wings here in San Diego my yard is stretching its chilly limbs towards the warming sun.  Rose bushes are bursting with new growth, bulbs are nearly ready to bloom, and my orange tree is sending off scents of heaven with its fresh, new blossoms.  We haven't, however, finished the sweet crop of oranges from last season and these beauties need to come off the tree.   As such, most of our meals of late include orange in some sort of fashion and this fresh, flavorful spinach salad has recently become a favorite.

Simply filled with baby spinach, oranges and onion, the salad is dressed with a bright orange vinaigrette that whips together in a flash.  Using fresh squeezed orange juice is always a treat, and combining balsamic, honey and garlic brings a sweet yet savory complement to the spinach.  Prosciutto sprinkled on top adds that salty "pow" that keeps you heading back for more and chopped fresh orange segments bring you right back to the bright sweetness.

From San Diego to you... Happy Spring!

Orange Mango Sunshine Smoothie

"Mom... can you make that to go?"  This request seems to come more and more often as teenage schedules become busier and busier.  Hence, finding a quick fuel "to go", or one that can easily be eaten on the run, ranks high in my menu plan.

Enter the smoothie.  Filled with vitamin rich fruits and/or veggies, our versions frequently add yogurt for a protein plus bone-building calcium boost as well as all sorts of add-ins including wheat germ, flax meal, protein powder and nuts.

Loving those thick, smooth concoctions we find at the local smoothie store, I've spent the better part of 15 years searching for a powerful blender that won't break the bank or simply just break.  Over the years, blender after blender has raised my hopes only to dash those same hopes when my frozen smoothie ingredients bring the blender motor to a grinding stop complete with yucky electrical aromas.

Enter Sandy, the KitchenAid Dream Blender.   Well, to be exact her professional title is the "KitchenAid 5-Speed Blender with BPA-Free Pitcher", but Liv prefers to call ours "Sandy".  I'm not sure why our Tangerine colored blender received the name Sandy, but Liv now asks, "Mom... would you have Sandy whip me up a smoothie please?"

Though my ever growing smoothie repertoire includes a rainbow of variations (another recipe coming in our next post), the family favorite always returns to this original version of the first smoothie I ever made.  A few basic ingredients made even more handy with the seasonal oranges off of our backyard tree, the Orange Mango Sunshine Smoothie packs a powerful Vitamin C punch.  Topped off with a small carton of vanilla bean yogurt, a handful of frozen mango chunks and half of a frozen banana, this smoothie simply oozes sunshine in every sip.

And with Sandy on the job, blending our sunny frozen concoction is as simple as pushing one of the blender's easy to clean buttons.  Over the last few weeks we've put this blender to the test pureeing soups, mixing salad dressings, blending the perfect frozen margarita, and whipping up numerous thick, frozen smoothies.  Not once has the motor groaned in protest or given off an overworked electrical smell.  Not once has the blade ground to a halt, and not once have we had a chunky smoothie that doesn't flow through a straw.

It may have taken 15 years, but I've finally found a blender that works and won't empty your wallet in the process.  Thanks KitchenAid for suggesting the perfect blender for my kitchen and for sending Sandy to our home.

Cranberry Orange Muffins

Since she was born, Liv has had quite a penchant for sugar.  As a matter of fact, when asked her favorite food she will often respond, "Sugar!", and she does indeed like it straight from the sugar bowl.

Usually I do my best to tailor recipes to reduce this sweet ingredient, but baking for my carpool girls today, I felt the need for something special.  I went full out, and Darla at Bakingdom provided us with a most ideal recipe not skimping on the sugar.  Not only do her muffins use a full cup of sugar in the batter, but the tops of the tender muffins are not only dipped into a sugar glaze, but then dipped again into a fabulous orange flecked sugar which provides a perfectly delectable topping.

Pulling out my rarely used over-sized muffin tin, 6 extraordinarily generous muffins lent an aroma of heavenly orange to my kitchen as they baked.  Dried cranberries provided the perfect tart foil to the muffin sweetness, but I have to admit that the orange flecked sugar topping won our hearts.

For your sugar fiend, these muffins are sure to be a hit.  As I made the recipe exactly as printed on Darla's blog, I'm going to send you there for the recipe... let her know we sent you, and then let us both know what you think of your own version.  We call ours irresistible.

Cranberry Orange Muffins ~ Click these words to see the recipe at Bakingdom!

Orange Almond Granola

Inhaling as I wander past my blooming orange tree, visions of spring flash through my mind.  The white blossoms cover the tree from head to foot, well... from top to bottom anyway, and lend their scent to the entire side yard.  Little, baby oranges make their way out of the center of the blossoms and in a few months, they will be the juice on my table.  Or perhaps they will be the peel in my granola as I'm certain that this last batch of Orange Granola won't last long.  

This year I'm lucky to have my Dad's tree supplement my orange crop, as my crop totaled 3.   Yep, 3 whole oranges.  Unfortunately, our usually prolific tree received a cut from the gardener last year just as it was blooming.  I didn't think it was possible to be moved to tears over a mere tree, but as I walked outside and saw the leaves and blossoms lying on the ground I could hardly hold it in.

Next year's orange peel...

The guy was new and in my broken Spanish I begged him to stop cutting, but the damage was done.  He was only trying to shape the tree in a "pretty" way, but... well... but.   Words can not describe my disappointment at seeing my entire orange crop on the ground, however, a year later the tree has regenerated, and is, I might add, thicker and even more prolific than ever due to its untimely trimming.

With a bowl of Dad's oranges on our counter and the granola bin empty, inspiration hit late this afternoon.  Granola has been popular around our house as of late, as well as at the dance studio where one of my daughter's friends has been gushing about our flavorful Maple version.

Taking that maple version, adding a little of this and deleting a little of that, today's Orange Granola took on a delightfully light orange flavor.  Keeping the crunch brought by the baked egg white, this granola truly hit the spot.

Low in fat, yet filled with whole grain oats and nutrient-rich almonds, the granola has been my snack of choice each time I've passed the overflowing jar.  Tomorrow we'll share some with Liv's Maple Granola-addicted dance friend, Ellie, and see what she thinks.

I'm thinking it's a good thing next years crop is looking to be bigger than this year's...

Orange Angel Food Cake - A Guest Post by Liv

With my Mom's birthday being in late December, we always make an effort to separate her day from the Christmas Holidays and to make the day a celebration all its own.  This year Liv was instrumental in choosing the cake we made for Mom, and here, in her first Guest Post of 2012, she will fill you in on how she came to decide on this special Angel Food Cake for Susu.

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For Christmas many girls get things like makeup or clothes, but for me, this year I got something very special from my grandma.  This year my grandma gave me a guardian angel pin.  The golden angel is meant to be worn on my shoulder and will help guide me through the days and nights and brighten my life.  Now, when I am not wearing the angel I keep it in a special heart shaped box beside my bed or in other words, "in my heart".

Because my grandma gave me this beautiful pin I decided to make her Angel Food Cake for her birthday dessert, because I think she is an angel as well. My grandma is one of the most important people in my life, and I know no matter what happens she will always be there for me.

It is always a great time when I am with her, whether we are making something in the kitchen, teaching me how to make gravy (which my mom can't do), or just sitting watching TV.  She always finds a way to make it fun.  I also love to play games with her and the rest of my family, like Hearts.  Even though she gives me the Queen of Spades sometimes, that is okay because I know if she could have given it to anyone else she would have (well, maybe...).

I love my grandma very much and I would not be who I am today without her.  She truly is the best grandma anyone could ever have.

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Our Orange Angel Food Cake is based on a recipe from Ina Garten, and is light and airy, indeed feathery enough for those angels among us.  With orange peel only hours from the tree in Dad's yard and a glaze made with the juice of the fresh squeezed oranges, the cake is light and bright and a wonderful way to celebrate any special day.

Chocolate Espresso-Orange Cheesecake with Grand Marnier Ganache and Candied Orange Peel

Rich in color and flavor, textures slowly melting on your tongue, the slight crunch of the cookie crust adding complexity.... Combine this with the competing flavors of chocolate, coffee and orange darting around your mouth and your first bite of this decadent dessert will assure you that there is indeed a heaven - and that when you get there, Grand Marnier enhanced cheesecakes will be on each and every menu.

Already slightly euphoric following a delightful Christmas Eve with family and close friends, one of those where nearly everything goes right, this luscious, exquisite, sumptuous finale to our holiday meal brought a heavenly end to a wonderful day.  Our laughter filled afternoon had parents sharing stories of holidays past while filling in our young teens on their toddler antics and embarrassing moments.  Taken well in stride, the kids laughed along with us with exclamations of "Did I really do that?" followed by contagious giggles and even more stories.

The Prime Rib was overcooked, but well-done loving grandma was thrilled with the "perfectly cooked for her" end piece.  Luckily the rest of us were OK with medium even though medium-rare would have been optimum.  The green beans were steamed and simply adorned with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt as Liv had requested, and the Irresistible Orange Sweet Potatoes had us all reaching for more.  Ahhh... that streusel is simply divine.

With our appetites already satiated, slices of Chocolate Cheesecake magically appeared, beautifully adorned with sweet strips of candied orange peel.  The surprise arrived when the first bite brought flavors not only hinting of espresso, but also a brightness of orange.  A brightness enhanced with a lovely Grand Marnier finish eliciting delighted groans of pleasure with each delicate bite.

Spiked with pure espresso grounds and Kahlua, the coffee flavors complemented the rich chocolate filling along with flavors of pure orange from the juice and peels of fruits picked less than 24 hours earlier from our own yard.  Topped with a version of my favorite luscious Grand Marnier Ganache, this heavenly dessert must have appealed even to angels watching over us.