Carrot Cake

I don't make carrot cake very often. I like it, but I just don't think about it! So when the need arose to make a dessert I thought I'd break out the old carrot cake recipe!  This recipe calls for a 9x13 but I used 2 8x8 pans instead! Next time I may use my mini loaf pan.....just to keep things interesting! This cake is so moist and light, it freezes well and is gluten and dairy free! 

What you need:

4 eggs

1 1/4 cup oil

2 cups white sugar

2 tsps vanilla

2 cups quinoa flour (or any blend of gluten free flour I have around)

2 tsps baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon or nutmeg (I used both!)

3 cups grated carrots   (I grated an extra 3 cups to freeze for the next time)

 OPTIONAL 

1 cup chopped pecans

or 

1 cup plump raisins

or

1/2 cup of each

or

1 cup whatever suits your fancy!

 

Preheat your convection oven to 325 degrees (350 for non-convection ovens)

1. Grease and flour pan (or pans)

2. Beat eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla

3. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon/nutmeg

4. Stir in carrots

5. Fold in your option of choice! 

Pour into pan and put in your preheated oven.

Wait 40 -50 minutes or until you do the toothpick test and pass! ....tick.....tock....tick....tock....tick....tock.....tick....tock.....
OK so if you are anything like me, you NEED cream cheese icing!! 
So good news! 
You will be busy for the next 40 -50 minutes making icing! 

Cream Cheese Icing (This is obviously going to ruin the dairy free part)

 

What you need:

1 package of cream cheese at room temperature (I used fat free)

1/4 cup butter (I used salted)

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup icing sugar (sift it for a lighter, fluffier icing)

1. Beat cream cheese and butter.

2. Add vanilla

3. Beat in icing sugar ONE THIRD at a time

4. Try not to eat it while you are waiting for the cake to cool!! 

Ice the cake after it has cooled. Top with chopped pecans.....or not.

 YUM YUM!

The good old hockey game....

Yesssssss hockey is back!!

Well ok, so it never went away but the NHL is back!!

I am pumped!

My brother played hockey when we were young, I bonded with my dad over hockey games, have a photo with Lord Stanley, I got to see Lindros play in the juniors and I even dated a few hockey players in my day! Something about hockey that gets me excited and makes me happy!! Hockey has always been a part of my winter! I like yelling at the tv, getting into arguments….err I mean discussions with people about hockey and  depending who makes it - the play offs!! 

I have found that hockey is a good conversation starter when running into other Canadiens! I have a Montreal Canadiens jersey bag that I like to use when my team in playing their season....you would be surprised how many people notice it!! I can carry around my $400 Coach bag and get way less action.  I got rear ended while in a McDonald's drive thru many years ago and when I got out to deal with it I noticed the guy who hit me had a Toronto Maple Leafs license plate....so of course I let it slide.....clearly he was special.

It is always interesting to hear other people’s opinions on things and the NHL lockout was no exception! I thought I had a fairly strong and educated opinion on it until I spoke to some people who knew some of the insiders personally.  It reminded me that there truly are two sides to every story – especially when the media is concerned.

Do I think they get paid too much - I think that things are worth whatever people are willing to pay for them…..but since no one is asking me I am not sure it matters! I think a lot of people get paid too much and I think a lot of people are under paid! But that doesn’t change how I feel about watching my Habs play their way through an NHL season!  I think we all need to keep in mind that hockey, just like Duck Dynasty, UFC, and Wheel of Fortune, is just another form of entertainment!  We all have the freedom to enjoy whatever form of entertainment we want so, if you don't like it don't watch it! You aren't going to see that Honey Boo Boo freak show playing on my tv.....but good for them I guess....better than being on welfare - and it must be entertaining to someone!

As a small token of protest I may spend less money on hockey paraphernalia this year but to be perfectly honest - I have been excited about today ever since I heard they sorted out this lockout!


And what a great way to welcome back hockey with a classic match up, Montreal  vs Toronto!!  

Pass me a beer!