Lemon Apple Crumb Cake

 

Makes a 9x12 inch sheet cake (recipe easily halved)

The apple keeps this cake particularly moist.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit

4 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups white sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar

4 teaspoons grated lemon peel

1/2 cup melted salted butter

1/2 cup canola oil

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl, blend together until crumbly and set aside 2 cups for the topping.

1 cup sour cream

1 cup milk

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 large apple cut into small cubes

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or cardamom

Blend the remaining ingredients into the first mixture in the large bowl. Pour into greased 9x12 inch pan. Top with the 2 cups of reserved crumbly topping. You could even add in 1/2 cup of chopped nuts (I used almonds in this recipe and it was delicious) to the crumbly mixture. Bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean near the middle. 

Spaghettini with Brussels Sprouts, Bacon, and Gorgonzola

 

1 pound spaghettini (or any thin long pasta)

1 pound of brussels sprouts, thinly sliced

1 large onion, sliced thinly

6-8 ounces thick-cut bacon, sliced crosswise into 1/4 inch strips

3 ounces crumbled gorgonzola cheese

salt and pepper to taste

In a large pan, saute bacon over medium heat until fat is rendered and bacon is almost crisp. Remove bacon from pan, saving the fat in the pan. Saute onions in the pan over medium heat until golden and softened. Increase heat to medium-high, add brussels sprouts and stir once in a while until cooked and bits are getting caramelized. Add bacon to this mixture.

In the meantime, cook pasta in large pot of salted water until al dente and a bit firmer than you want in the end. Drain, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water. Add pasta to the vegetable-bacon mixture while on medium heat, tossing the pasta. Add gorgonzola and 1/2 cup of pasta water, keep tossing until the water is absorbed. Add more water if it seems dry. Season with salt and pepper and serve piping hot.