Blog Trials: Angel Food Cake

I’m so excited today because I was able to try out a new cake recipe in advance of leaving for vacation.  I recently discovered my boyfriend’s secret passion for angel food cake after he asked me to make one if he obtained the ingredients and supplied the angel food pan (always eager to bake cakes, I of course agreed).

We made this cake utilizing this recipe from Taste of Home.  I chose this recipe specifically because I did not have cake flour on hand, and it is a common angel food cake ingredient.  We also opted to use a container of Meijer-brand egg whites rather than crack a dozen eggs.  A Hamilton Beach electric hand mixer proved to be perfect in creating stiff, glossy peaks essential for the success of the recipe.

The cake turned out light and airy, just as an angel food cake should.  Cool Whip Lite was utilized for frosting, and strawberries chosen for decoration.  I love the potential that angel food cake offers – just a dash of one more ingredient, be it cocoa powder, instant coffee, or a fruit extract, creates another wonderful cake flavor to try.  As someone that makes a lot of desserts, I also appreciated that this cake does not include any butter.  I look forward to making this again!

Upon Removing from Pan via Inversion

Fluffy Interior

Decorated Portion

Decorated Portion

Blog Trials: Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables

After a few days of taking visiting family out to various Ann Arbor restaurants, I’m back in the kitchen trying out new recipes!  I leave for a weeklong vacation in just a few days, so my boyfriend and I picked out a recipe that would generate a quantity of food ideal for feeding us well but not having waste.  We made the Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables from my all time favorite blog, Joanne Eats Well With Others (check out her site!).  I was also excited because this recipe gave a wonderful excuse to break out my new ceramic baking dish from Target.

We love recipes involving zucchini and yellow squash, and were particularly excited to see a baked penne recipe incorporating our favorite veggies.

The one clarification I would make in the recipe is that it calls for 1 cup of fontina cheese – this is definitely 1 cup of grated fontina.  Maybe that is obvious, but for some reason my boyfriend and I bought a 10-oz block of fontina with the intention of grating one cup (8-oz).  We quickly realized we ended up with over 4 cups grated.  For the “3 cups of good marinara sauce”, we used one 24-oz jar of Prego Tomato Basil Garlic.

This recipe was unanimously deemed a “winner”, with the perfect ratio of well-seasoned vegetables to penne and cheese.  We will definitely be making this again as a school-year favorite, as it was very easy to make and generated 6 very large and filling servings (enough for a week!).

Chopped Vegetables Pre-Roasting

Before Baking

Finished Product

Yum!

Damage Done

Review: Blank Slate Creamery

Garden Mint Chip

Wolverine Tracks

Tonight, I am reviewing an extremely popular Ann Arbor destination: Blank Slate Creamery!

The lines here can become VERY long (legitimately wrapped around the block and then some), but tonight the line was relatively short, at about a 10 minute wait.  The store has a few parking spaces, but there is a ticketed parking garage across the street containing ample parking.

The staff here (officially called “scoopologists”) are all very bubbly and friendly.   When you reach the counter, you are able to ask to try a flavor or two before ordering.  Thanks to that wonderful policy, through repeated trips I have had the fortune to try almost all of Blank Slate’s flavors.  My trials include:

• Browned Butter Cookie Dough
• Cookies and Cream
• Fresh Basil
• Garden Mint Chip
• Gingerly Lime (NEW!)
• Lavender Lemon Honey
• Madagascar Vanilla
• Matcha
• Non-Dairy Coconut
• Roasted Pistachio
• Salty Caramel Coffee
• Strawberry Basil Sorbet
• Wolverine Tracks

Out of all of these flavors, the only one I have ever disliked even a little bit is Matcha.  I felt that it was almost a chalky type of flavor, though that can perhaps be attributed to the natural taste of matcha itself.

Tonight, I decided to have a 1 scoop ($3.75) of Garden Mint Chip in a cone, and it was exquisite.  Take a second to think about the taste of mint chocolate chip ice cream bought from the grocery store.  For myself, the thought of toothpaste comes to mind.  Fortunately, Blank Slate’s version of this flavor is in a completely different league.  Blank Slate is able to perfectly capture the true flavor of the mint herb in a manner that is delicate, light, and simply wonderful.

The scoops are generous sizes, so one scoop for dessert after dinner is a great portion size.  If you’re feeling ambitious, then two is appropriate, but I would reserve three scoops for days in which you have not eaten a single bite prior to your ice cream trip (yes, I am guilty of making such a trip).

We purchased pints Non-Dairy Coconut and Salty Caramel Coffee to bring home to my mom.  When you buy pints, Blank Slate will send you home with a bag of their house-made waffle cones (which are absolutely delicious).

Blank Slate’s strongest attribute is their ability to take complex and slightly unusual flavors (basil, mint, lavender) and create delectable ice cream flavors you will be hard-pressed to find offered anywhere else.  For this reason, I deem it worth the line.  Enjoy!

Review: Aventura, Ann Arbor

Arroc Negre | Black Paella

Arroc Negre | Black Paella

Gambas Al Ajillo | Garlic Shrimp

Carbonara de Setas | Mushroom Carbonara

Tonight, my family and I adventured to Aventura, a restaurant in Ann Arbor that is a part of Savco Hospitality.

I have been here four times, and each time have been impressed.  Tonight, my family ordered two tapas, Gambas al Ajillo [Garlic Shrimp] ($14), Albondigas de Cordero [Lamb Meatballs] ($12).  The tapas arrived promptly after ordering, and were thought delicious by everyone at the table.  The lamb dish comes with six small-sized meatballs in a wonderful sauce, and the shrimp dish came with five pieces.  Both were very enjoyable, though I believe the lamb was a bit better.  In the past, I have also savored the Coliflor Frita [Fried Cauliflower] ($9).  I felt that this is on par with the lamb meatballs, and was even loved by my mom, who generally does not eat fried food of any kind.

We also ordered an Arroc Negre [Black Paella] ($38), which comes in a very generous portion size meant to be shared by multiple people as an entree.  This particular paella includes “calamari, scallops, squid ink, shrimp, piquillo peppers, green peas, sofrito”.  This dish is absolutely delicious, and comes with an even better presentation.

My sister ate a Carbonara de Setas [Mushroom Carbonara] ($14), which was described by her as relatively mediocre.

All of my experiences here have left me impressed with the waitstaff, who are kind and friendly without being overly intrusive.  They are knowledgeable about the menu and are always willing to give spot-on recommendations – for example, our waitress tonight recommended a Chardonnay to my mom that proved to be high quality.

I was fortunate to come here with a group of 6 friends during Ann Arbor restaurant week, and the waiter at that time was able to guide us in designing a culinary experience that enabled sharing a variety of dishes rather than ordering repetitively amongst us off of the restaurant week menu.  His recommendation resulted in each of us being full, happy with our meal, and paying less per-person than we would have had we chosen the special restaurant week option.

This restaurant does tend to become very crowded, particularly on weekend nights, so making a reservation is definitely recommended.  My one complaint would be that the restaurant in its crowded state can become very loud and difficult to hear the voices of those in your party.  Regardless, Aventura will remain a favorite Ann Arbor restaurant of mine, and I look forward to returning!

 

Review: Zola Bistro, Ann Arbor

Michigan Peach French Toast Special

Americana

Chicken Salad Plate

Today, I’m going to review Zola Bistro, a wonderful Ann Arbor restaurant.  There is a second, slightly smaller location called Cafe Zola in downtown Ann Arbor, but we opted to go to the larger one on Washtenaw Avenue.  I personally love this restaurant (I went two days in a row), as it has a wide selection of brunch options, all of which I would love to try.

The first day, I ordered the Michigan Peach Toast special on challah ($16.95) and the Americana.  Their website states that the toast special is “Michigan Peach French Toast, Michigan Peaches, Mascarpone, Whip Cream, Confectioner’s Sugar, Mint Leaf, And Your Choice of Challah or Cinnamon Raisin Bread.”  This dish was heavenly.  The portions were generous, and the toast was light and perfectly complemented by the sweetness of the peaches.  We all loved it!

The second day, I ordered the Americana ($13.95) with smoked sausage.  This is “Two Eggs Any Style, Rosemary-Garlic Roasted Potatoes, Choice of Benton’s Hickory-Smoked Bacon, Bavarian Ham, Edward’s Smoked Breakfast Smoked Sausage or Locally Smoked Artisanal Polish Sausage.”  I feel that the price for this dish is a little bit steep, though I admit the quantity of food was filling and all of us at the table enjoyed the sausage.   I did request my eggs be over medium, but the runny yolk was certainly over easy.

On Day 1, my dad ordered the Chicken Salad Sandwich ($12.95).  He enjoyed the chicken salad, but felt the amount of accompanying challah toast was slightly overbearing.  On Day 2, my sister ordered the Chicken Salad Plate ($12.95), which comes with red grapes that are absolutely delicious.  This is the same as the sandwich, just without the bread.  She loved the chicken salad.

The drinks we ordered included a cafe mocha for me, cafe latte for my dad, and earl grey tea for my sister, all of which we liked.

The service was prompt and our waitress both days was attentive and kind. Overall, I would highly recommend Zola Bistro!  I will definitely be going back!

Review: Slurping Turtle, Ann Arbor

Spicy Salmon Donburi

Spicy Salmon Donburi

Shoyu Tofu Mushroom with 2 Orders of Shrimp

Last night, my family and I went to Slurping Turtle, which is a restaurant in downtown Ann Arbor oriented towards Japanese-style noodles, though they have other options as well.

I ordered the Pork Belly Bao Bun ($4) and Spicy Salmon Donburi ($18).  I enjoyed them both, however the unexpected star of the meal was the bowl of miso soup that comes with the donburi.  Without exaggeration, it was the best miso soup I have ever had.  It was flavorful, there were ample amounts of scallion, and the chunks of tofu were larger than average.  It was so tasty that both my dad and sister ordered their own bowls after one taste.  I enjoyed the donburi and felt that the quantity of salmon justified the price (there was more salmon present than one can see in the picture).  The dish came with a separate sauce meant for pouring over it.  This sauce was a little bit too spicy for my taste, but I felt the dish was great without it.

My dad ordered the Shoyu Tofu Mushroom ($15) with 2 orders of shrimp ($5 each).  He is not the biggest fan of ramen, and his expectations were low, but he ended up thoroughly enjoying it.

My sister ordered the Spicy Miso Tonkotsu ($15) and simply said it was “amazing” and “I would go to Slurping Turtle every day if I could.”

The weather outside was very pleasant and we were able to sit outside.  The staff we interacted with were all very nice and created a comfortable environment.  I will definitely go back!