By the time y’all read this column I’ll have been to the Great State Fair of Texas on opening day on Friday, September 28, for my husband’s and my “FUN DAY”. After that it’s volunteering for the Youth Livestock Committee and entering the many food contests. Both are very rewarding emotionally and spiritually, but also require many hours of work. We happily do this every year. The thank you’s from the kids who enter the livestock contests are from their hearts and mean so much. That’s a reward in itself and better than any ribbon could ever be.
I have to share one more of Paula Bonchak’s recipes that placed in the 2010 State Fair of Texas. Paula is from my hometown of Bonham, Texas. She is a terrific cook and a great competitor at the State Fair every year. All her recipes are delicious and I know y’all will love this one.
Lemon Poppy Seed Angel Food Cake
Recipe adapted from State Fair of Texas 2011 Cookbook – Prize Winning Recipes courtesy of Paula Bonchak, Bonham, Texas
Ingredients
1 cup cake flour
1½ cup sugar
¼ tsp salt
12 large egg whites
1 tsp cream of tartar
1½ tsp grated lemon zest
1 TB poppy seeds
½ tsp lemon extract
½ tsp vanilla extract
Glaze
6 oz cream cheese, softened
2 TB lemon juice
2 tsp lemon zest
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ cup heavy cream
1¼ cup confectioners’ sugar
Instructions for Cake
Preheat oven to 325. Use a 9”ungreased angel food tube pan.
Combine flour, ¾ cup sugar and salt. Whisk thoroughly.
Whip egg whites until frothy. Add cream of tartar and beat on medium until eggs whites turn white. Pour in remaining sugar in a slow, steady stream. Whip until they’re shiny and hold soft, floppy peaks.
Stir in remaining ingredients until just mixed in. Strain ¼ cup flour mixture into egg white mixture and gently fold in. Repeat with remaining flour mixture in ¼ cup increments.
Bake 50 minutes until gold brown and top springs back when touched. Invert pan. Allow to cool one hour before removing from the pan.
Instructions for Glaze
Combine all ingredients in food processor. Blend until smooth. Drizzle over cake. Let stand 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
I’m not ready to leave the Great State Fair of Texas yet. So, y’all will have to bear with me until I can get to another subject. Sorry I haven’t come up with a recipe in Burnt Orange yet. Suggestions are always welcome! Hook’em Horns!
Until next time…
Bon appétit!