Carrot Cake with Apple Sauce

 

The Carrot name came from the Greek word karōton, originally from the Indo-European root. Carrots are rich in dietary fibre, antioxidants, and minerals. 

Carrots can be selectively bred to produce different colors

I never knew that carrot roots are so useful. Ethnomedically, the roots are used to treat digestive problems, intestinal parasites, and tonsillitis or constipation.

I browsed a lot of recipes to find carrot cake without using much oil but i didn't find much or a recipe that would satisfy me. Here in this recipe I tried to use unsweetened apple sauce instead of vegetable oil which made be feel so happy to bake and eat it without any guilt.

Ingredients:

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1 cup (100 grams) pecans or walnuts coarsely chopped

3/4 pound (340 grams) raw carrots (about 2 1/2 cups finely grated)

2 cups (260 grams) all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

4 large eggs

1 cup 300 grams) granulated white sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1tbsp vegetable oil or canola oil

1 cup apple sauce/ crushed pineapple

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Method:

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1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Butter or spray 10 inch round cake pan and grease bottom of pan with butter and flour. 

2. Peel and finely grate the carrots. Set aside.

3. In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. Set aside.

4. In bowl of electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the eggs until frothy (about 1 minute). 

5. Gradually add the sugar both white and brown and beat until the batter is thick and light colored (about 3 - 4 minutes).

6.  Add the oil and apple sauce/crushed pineapple and then beat in the vanilla extract. Add the flour mixture and beat just until incorporated.

Carrot Cake

7. with a large rubber spatula fold in the grated carrots.

8. Pour the batter in the two prepared pan and add the chopped walnuts/pecans over the top and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  

Mission Viejo Plumber

I believe I have posted blogs about this in the past.... But nevertheless "Here it goes".

As I "man the phones" here in the office it amazes me how many people call in looking for prices and are willing to compare our rates to a competitor as far away as Corona!

My question is "Why would you hire a plumber to work on your Mission Viejo home when he is 50 miles away?"
Now I understand that our office is not exactly in Mission Viejo .... but come on!!!!!
We have Technicians that live in Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Buena Park, Orange and other surrounding cities - we truely access and serve Orange County with some of the best plumbing service around!!

Here's an example of what I am talking about.

Last month I had a new client call in and request a quote for a water softener system for his Ladera Ranch home. As I arrived for our afternoon appointment I was greeted by the Owner and he was in "panic mode". Ironicaly, a leak was coming from the upstairs Master bathroom just as I arrived and our attention quickly went from the quote to the leak.

I was quickly able to diagnose what I thought the source of the leak was and guess what? Turns out he had contracted a plumber from Chino Hills to come out and install some new toilets for him AFTER the new tile was put down .... approx 9 months ago. Wel'p they did not extent the closet flange up to the new tile height and tried to just "stack gaskets" to make up the gap. Needless to say this is not a code compliant method of installation but rather a way to "cheat".

I suggested to the client he should try and call the company he originally hired to come out and warranty any installations. He did and guess what? "Sorry sir ..... it is late in the afternoon and our Tech's live in Chino .... we can't get there for a day or two!"

Although that did not surprise me and this was a painful lesson for this Owner. He did admit that "the price was great and they did great work ..... but now I guess I got what I paid for ...... lowsy service and follow through"

Now don't think for one second we did not help this guy out ...... of course we did. With one push o f button, one of our Technicians was onsite in 30 minutes! That's because we live and work in the areas we service!

To any and all people reading this blog, please consider situations like this when making decisons to hire companies outside of your (or their) area!

Talk to ya soon!

Illinois Sweet Corn

Susan Pachikara (COPYRIGHT 2010)

One of the most comforting sights for me are the rows upon rows of corn that shoot by when I take the train to southern Illinois. It's probably politically incorrect to admit this. Most of the corn grow in Illinois is subsidized and ends up as cattle feed or corn syrup. I don't support the subsidies or approve of their impact: the artificially low price of beef and the omnipresence of corn syrup in the American food system.

Yet, I treasure the taste of sweet corn and believe it's one of the most underappreciated gifts Mother Nature provides this time of year. I love sandpaper-like feel of the husks and the silky softness of the tassels. I love how the taut, plump kernels pop in my mouth after a quick boil, like perfectly ripened berries. They're sugary and savory. I never add salt or butter. As far as I'm concerned, it just gets in way.

Susan Pachikara (COPYRIGHT 2010)

At the farmer's market I carefully pull back the husk and tassels by an inch or so to make sure each ear is fresh. I look for plump kernels. During a recent visit, another shopper told me that smaller ears are more flavorful. She also recommended smelling the tip as part of the freshness test, but I didn't know what scent was the right one.

Anyone know about the smell test?

Susan Pachikara (COPYRIGHT 2009)

BOILED SWEET CORN

Bring a pot of water to boil. Make to add enough water to cover the corn.

Add corn and boil for about 4 minutes.

Remove from heat. Drain water.