Healthy Eating at Cake Time

One might think that a cake or equivalent thereto might be an unhealthy thing to be eating on a daily basis. Of course we would beg to differ out of sheer principle but today's offering clearly demonstrates that we are not beyond eating health - cake hour style.  The trick is to blend the healthfulness into something that will also satisfy our demanding tastes for goodies. Well what better way to do that than to serve up a fabulous strawberry shortcake cake from Whole Foods. You might think this is caloric and you might think there is too much fat per serving given all the fresh whipped cream. (Whipped cream is mostly air!) But given the way this is made there is at least a full serving of fruit in each portion so we satisfy our appetites and probably some minuscule daily dietary requirement for fruit.  And don't strawberries have magnesium or something like that. Yes this clearly shows you can have your cake and eat it too.

Nicely Presented

Nicely decorated

Artistic use of strawberries

Stuffed with fresh fruit...ambrosia!

This cake was nicely wrapped and the strawberries were sliced and decoratively distributed around the cake giving it an artsy appearance. Don't you think?  The whipped cream was great and was nicely used to adorn the top. The big fat floral-like blobs made for some good eating for whipped cream fand if you lucked out and got a piece with one of them.  The key to the healthy aspect of this was the center of chopped strawberries that were not mixed in with the cream or some other filling. Hence we get a fresh fruit allotment and everyone's happy. This is, incidentally, one of the better concoctions that Whole Foods produces and we look forward to another one to keep our fruit intake going.

Italian Treats at Masa's Last Cake Hour

We continue on with our international theme for the week having sampled goodies from Hungary and Korea.  Today's batch of delicacies is compliments of L'Italiana in Centro di Ricerca del Fegato.  It consisted of several things and some of them made for great translations. Baci di Dama - Lady's Kiss!
Panpepato - peppered bread!  Pocket Coffee - Pocket Coffee! Okay we don't know why that last one isn't called Tasca Caffe or something similar but Mon Cheri, which was also included, isn't Italian either. There does not appear to be a translation for Krumiri but they were like shortbread cookies that resembled caterpillars.

Dolci d'Italia

Non-Hershey Kisses

Panpepato - lethal weapon!

Krumiri - shortbreads that look like caterpillars

Box o' goodies!

Mangia!

Where to start?

The Panpepato from the Pasticceria Leon d'Oro is apparently a specialty of Ferrera. (It says that on the label.) This has been described as a darker version of Pan D'Oro but it is much different. It is denser. heavier, stuffed with almonds and is chocolate. The dark chocolate coating on the outside was great.  This panpepato was so dense that you could probably seriously injure someone by dropping it on their head.  We did not intend it as a weapon and it was very, very good and went well with a regular coffee or a pocket coffee.

Panpepato with a dark chocolate coat

Inside it's nuts!

A pocket coffee is a filled piece of chocolate that contains a shot of espresso.  So in one blast you get a chocolate tasting pick-me-up. They are unique and everyone likes them as we have had them before. We only wonder why you seemingly can't get them over here. Of course we haven't really looked that hard either.

The perfect pick me up!

An international classic

The lady's kisses were like little meringue cookies pieced held together with a layer of chocolate and the krumiri were good old fashioned shortbread although somewhat lighter. Both were well received. It is only unfortunate that we did not get one more package of that brand of cookie.  According to the blue heart that was on each package, three proof of purchase seals, i.e. the blue heart, would have gotten us a gift of a wellness treatment. The offer was under the byline "Beato Chi si Ama" - Blessed are those who love. It's too bad this gift offer got overlooked.

We coulda had a spa treatment!

The big white container was full of chocolate things including classic Ferrero Rochers (made in Italy) Gianduttas, Mon Cheris, and Vitor's Golden Poker and Noir candies. (Milk chocolate and dark chocolate type pralines.)  The Pocket Coffees went the fastest indicating everyone was needing a little boost but everyone one of these are fantastico.

How many calories in this serving?

Caffe ultimo con Masa!

Although we had given him a sendoff yesterday today turned out to be Masa's last cake hour so we sent him off with a group photo.  Ciao Signor Masa until the next time!

Sayonara Shimoda-san!

Today's cake time took place a little bit earlier than normal as we bade farewell to another Japanese colleague. Our friend Masa, whose wife, affectionately known as Mrs. Masa, frequently baked us the very delightful chiffon cake, must now return to Japan.  We know he will miss being here as once back in Japan he will undoubtedly be overwhelmed by having to see patients and little time will be left for research.  Before he left we celebrated his work and accomplishments and wished him well.

Some sayonara refreshments

In addition to peach champagne we had two very good chocolate cakes. The one that ended up getting eaten was one of the famous flourless chocolate cakes. What that means is there is going to be a lot of other things that will make it denser, richer and more fattening. You know things like..butter.  But who cares..it's cake hour. The cakes came courtesy of Eastside Marketplace which does good quality stuff although the selection seemed a bit lame.  We weren't sure if there would be enough so we go the other one which is a chocolate layer cake but the one sans flour was quite enough.

Flourless but not fatless chocolate cake

This one will have to wait

As usual we presented Masa with some appropriate parting gifts and gave him a Brown gear makeover.  We also continued our practice of presenting something that is sure to be a nuisance to carry back on an airplane. Fortunately those overhead compartments can handle good size framed pictures. It was clearly appropriate that the Brown winter scene be included as his departure was preceded by a blizzard.

Before

After the makeover

Yep, you have to take that on the plane!

 
Most everyone was philosophical about yet another departure but some clearly were in despair.  We think they will be fine!  To Masa we say さようならand 幸運 and we will see you at the AASLD.

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night.....

...shall stop cake hour. So what if it is the first blizzard of 2011?  Just because there is supposed to 15 inches of snow in Providence doesn't mean you stop everything.  Sure, just about every business in the downtown is closed but hospital personnel are essential! So here we were all 6 of us.  We got a few extra bodies later in the day as the roads became passable and those that really needed to get something done figured they no longer had and excuse.  Fortunately we happened to have a few things in reserve to satisfy our sweet teeth.  There were a few Lebkuchen left from before Christmas.  Lebkuchen and Stollen are both known for a similar thing - they keep a long time so these were still good.  It would have been the perfect day to be outside with a cup of Glühwein to go with it but you can't have everything. 

We can always come up with something!

Frango mints .. now exclusively at Macy's. Who knew!

A little bit of Christmas remaining....

We also were holding onto some Frango Dark Chocolate Mints.  These were originally  made by Frederick and Nelson's Department Store in Seattle which was bought by Marshall Fields in Chicago.  They were subsequently acquired buy Macy's who produces over a million pounds a year! (BTW if the Former Marshall Fields Department Store on State Street in Chicago, now presumably a Macy's, is one of the best department stores there is anywhere.) These were more like mint truffles and were nowhere near as minty offensive as something like a peppermint patty or that God-awful candy cane cake that someone once brought.  So for those of you who took the storm as an excuse not to research we just want to let you know that we were fine here and kept the cake time going despite the weather.  Neither snow....like you see in these pictures from the cake room..nor rain shall stop the appointed cake time!

What's a little blizzard anyway?

Not too many cars visible on that Interstate!

Korean Konfection

Yesterday it was Hungarian, today it is Korean. Another one of our wandering researchers has returned from the home country and brought some goodies for the cake hour crowd.  Obviously with the amount of time required to travel from the Far East it was unlikely that we were going to get home baked goodies. So a suitable alternative was sought in some Korean sweets that are mass marketed and easy to take on the plane.  As we are open to everything we were happy to partake of the offerings from Daehanminguk aka the Republic of Korea.

Korean Sweets

Oh, Ye!

Crown Creambles

Admirable to say the least

 We had two types to choose from. One was called Ye and the other name we could not read but appeared to be translated as Creamble made by Crown company.  The further description referred to it as a "Fresh Cream and Admirable Cake"...."an original cream cake baked by pound cake style".  In some respects it was admirable.  In the end they appeared to be Korean versions of whoopie pies or something similar.

Chocolate, cream and a strawberry layer

Korean Whoopie Pie

Ye had chocolate on the outside and was filled with a marshmallow like cream with a strawberry layer in the center.  It was very light, was not too sweet and tasted good as the chocolate and strawberry complemented each other.  The Creamble was a sandwich of two cookie like cakes with a cream center and a coating of chocolate on the outside. In some respects a step up from the classic Whoopie Pie.  It was explained that this was a very popular product with Korea;'s neighbors and was exported all over. Now we understand why!

Creamy fillings with a serving of fruit

Creamble had a panel on the back for Art Block. Since it was all in Korean we could only try to interpret some meaning from the pictures. Event 1 looked the most interesting because it's possible all those pictured items were being given or raffled away.  Feel free to check out the referred to website although it too is only in Korean! 

What's up at ArtBlock? Who knows!

Hungarian Happiness

It's international week at cake hour!  That's because a number of our colleagues are returning from foreign lands and bringing home the goodies. Today we got a special treat of sweets schlepped back from Miskolc, Hungary.  The stuff was so impressive looking that security at the Frankfurt Airport attempted to confiscate it probably for no other reason than they intended to consume it themselves! But our intrepid colleague impressed on them that the sweets were destined for cake hour and, of course, the Germans relented rather than corrupt cake hour.

Back from the homeland!

A plate of Hungarian Delights

Gerbauds, Túró Rudi and Kókuszgolyó

What came back was quite a spread of Hungarian Happiness.  We were also very pleased and honored to learn that the featured treats were homemade by the mother and aunt of our returning colleague!  The featured item was Gerbeauds - ground walnut and jam filling between layers of sponge cake covered with chocolate. It looks a little bit like baklava but the chocolate and the jam distinguish it. This is a signature specialty of the Cafe Gerbeaud in Budapest and we are thrilled to now have experienced two of the most famous Hungarian confections - the Doboc Torta and now the Gerbeaud! Many, many thanks to Mama Derdak for taking the time to make these and for giving cake hour an international flair. Mama Derdak - mi szeretünk téged and your Gerbeauds.

Homemade Gerbauds!

Lots of layers with good stuff!

Auntie Derdak made another Hungarian specialty known as Pogácsa which seem like a type of small scone albeit not sweet. These were made, I believe, with some potatoes and cheese.  They were also very good and offset the sweet things very well.  I'm not sure if the longer version in the picture is also Pogácsa but they were very similar and also included caraway seeds or something similar. They were light and airy - sort of a Hungarian Cheesy Poof!

Different versions of Pogácsa, we think!

There was more on the sweet side, however, and that was Kókuszgolyó –  translated as Hungarian Coconut Rum Balls and as you can see they look like coconut balls. These are apparently made from crushed cookies and include some chocolate, cherries and of course rum or they wouldn't be called rum balls.  They were a little bit like a truffle but not as fatty. Nor were they too sweet which made them very easy to consume.  Another hit from the Derdak family!

Rum flavored coconut balls!

Lastly, as if all this was not enough happiness we got to try a classic Hungarian candy bar sort of.  We were told it was something very popular with children.  These were the famous Túró Rudi chocolate bars which are filled with a sweetened type of cheese or quark. (Sort of a cross between yogurt and soured cream.) The taste was not that common among us Americans and most sort of tried to figure out what it tasted like some thinking it was like sour marshmallow or tangy pastry cream.  Since it was not too familiar we may have to classify it as an acquired taste. There were plenty to go around and we even sent some home with people to give their children a Hungarian Delight. We'll check back to see what the kids thought and if they are like-minded to their Hungarian counterparts.

Bag o' Túró Rudi

Quark filled chocolate!

Quite a spread thanks and now we all want to go to Hungary!

So now there is a dilemma - we've been spoiled and now cannot let our resident Hungarian stay away for the next five years like he did the last five. Otherwise he is going to have to learn how to make all these things in the event that we get a craving for them. Thanks to him, however for this unexpected "Taste of Hungary" and to Mama and Nagynéni Derdak we say köszönöm szépen!

Stollen Day 2011

Since today is the last day of Christmas for this season it is appropriate for the annual Stollen Day to take place.  Every year this cake hour commando gets presented up to 3 or 4 Stollens for Christmas. That's a lot of Stollen for one person to eat so since it is the season of giving a few of them are given up for Stollen Day at cake time.

Dimpflmeier Stollen

Tbe rum version - note the advisory "Keeps for a long time"

The classic look

Sugar Coated for the finishing touch

For those of you who don't know a Stollen is the traditional German Christmas Cake. It is associated with the City of Dresden where they make the largest Stollen in the world every year at their Striezelmarkt or Christmas Market.  (If you haven't been to Dresden you should go as it is one of the most interesting cities in Europe and used to be on the Grand Tour of Europe. The Green Vault is of particular interest. Check it out here:


http://www.skd.museum/en/museums-institutions/residenzschloss/gruenes-gewoelbe/index.html

But I digress..Stollen is a bit like a fruit cake but it is edible.. I mean unlike a lot of American fruit cakes it actually tastes pretty good.  There are several versions the favorite being the one filled with Marzipan but today we had Rum Stollens that were flavored with - you guessed it - rum.  The dough is always folded before baking giving it the unique shaped and it is always covered with powdered or granulated sugar.  It goes real well with Glühwein as you are standing out in a cold Christmas market but it's always good with coffee or tea and helps to make the season bright kind of like turkey and some mistletoe.  These Stollens are courtesy of Dimpflmeier Bakery in Toronto, Ontario. www.dimpflmeierbakery.com.
In addition to Stollen, they make all sort of the thick, seed filled breads that Germans love and that really keep your digestion going. They are pretty good so if you are so inclined check out what they have to offer.

There was the added treat of some Weinbrand Bohnen or dark chocolate bean shaped pralines filled with brandy.  (This is a rare occasion where the German expression is shorter than the English.)  A nice treat to go with the Stollen and a cup of java.

Brandy Beans - direct translation

Classic shape with the good stuff inside

Today we tried to figure out the best way to get one of our cake hour comrades home within a reasonable time frame.  She lives three miles away and it takes her half an hour to drive there thanks to construction work on I-95 in Providence. You do the math. That's 6 miles per hour.  Those of us that live in East Providence or Boston spend less travel time.  Several suggestions were made and we look forward to hearing how and if the various routes will ameliorate the three mile commute from hell.