I’ve been contemplating the sources of my interest in food and preferences for certain flavors. My upbringing set the compass for my culinary path, of course. Growing up eating Chinese food, specifically Hong Kong style Cantonese cuisine, dominated my developing taste buds, but my parents’ willingness to expose us to other cuisines from the East and West opened up the world of possibilities.
My parents taught me to enjoy food, savor every bite and true to the Chinese culture–NEVER waste food. Being a 12 pound new born hungry rabbit, that was never a problem. I don’t remember what age I was when my Mom told me, “We won’t buy you everything, but there will always be food for you.” These words gave me the security and comfort of a family and the importance of how food can nourish beyond the basics- they nourish and pamper my soul.
As Mother’s Day approaches, I have fond memories of hanging out at my Mom’s office after regular Saturday dentist appointment for braces. She and my Dad would take me out to lunch as a last meal before the effect of the tightened braces sets made eating so much less enjoyable.
We would also stop by the famous Maria’s Bakery to get cakes and pastries for the weekend. My Mom’s theory was cakes and pastries don’t require a lot of chewing so I could still enjoy them during the braces adjustment period. (How could you not love a Mom that’s so sensible?)
I had many favorites at Maria’s, but my Mom loved a certain Strawberry Cake with Whipped Cream Icing, and so did I. However, after years of exploration and expanding my taste and flavor profiles, I find that particular cake lacks the strawberry intensity that I want now.
1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 325℉. Line a 9 by 2-inch cake line with parchment paper, grease and flour, set aside.
2. Add lemon zest and all but 3 tablespoons sugar in large mixing bowl, rub with fingers until sugar is slightly moist and takes on a pale yellow color. Add flour, baking powder, salt, whisk to combine. add 2 whole eggs and 3 yolks (reserving whites), butter, water and both extracts; whisk until smooth.
3. In clean bowl of standing mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat remaining 3 egg whites at medium-low speed until frothy, 1 to 2 minutes. With machine running, gradually add remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, increase speed to medium-high, and beat until soft peaks form,about 2 minutes. Stir one-third of whites into batter to lighten; add remaining whites and gently fold into batter until no white streaks remain.
4. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake until toothpick or wooden skewer inserted into center of cake comes out clean, 25-35 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then invert cake onto greased wire rack; peel off and discard parchment. Invert cake again; cool completely, about 2 hours.
5. Stemmed and halve 24 of best-looking berries and reserve. Quarter remaining berries; toss with 4 to 6 tablespoons sugar (depending on sweetness of berries) in medium bowl and let sit 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Strain juices from berries and reserve (you should have about 1/2-3/4 cup). Place macerated berries in food processor fitted with metal blade, give it five 1-second pulses (you should have about 2 cups).
6. In small saucepan over medium-high heat, simmer reserved juices and rum until syrupy and reduced to about 3 tablespoons, about 5 minutes. Pour reduced syrup over macerated berries, add pinch of salt, and toss to combine. Set aside until cake is cooled.
Whipped Icing
1. Place cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and salt in bowl of standing mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Whisk at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes, scraping down bowl with rubber spatula as needed. Reduce speed to low and add heavy cream in slow, steady stream; when almost fully combined, increase speed to medium-high and beat until mixture holds stiff peaks, 2 to 2-1/2 minutes more, scraping bowl as needed.
Assembly
1. Using large serrated knife, slice cake into three even layers. Place bottom layer on cake plate and arrange half of the strawberry halves, cut sides down and stem ends facing out, around perimeter of cake layer. Pour one half of pureed berry mixture in center, then spread to cover any exposed cake. Gently spread about one-third of whipped cream over berry layer, leaving 1/2-inch border from edge. Place middle cake layer on top and press down gently. Repeat with remaining strawberry halves and berry mixture, and half of remaining whipped cream; gently press last cake layer on top. Spread remaining whipped cream over top; decorate with reserved strawberries. Chill for 1-2 hours.
recipe adapted from Cook’s Illustrated
