A Throwback To The 70's: Blum's Coffee Crunch Cake

One of my fondest memories from my teen age years, was driving to Bullock's Wilshire with my mom, sister and sometimes my Grandma.  There was a Blum's tea room in Bullocks.  We would shop a little, then stop for dessert at Blum's.  I think the only thing I ever ate there was the coffee crunch cake.  It was so delicious, I can taste it right now.  Spongy cake, sweet whipped cream with a hint of coffee, and crunchy, stick to your teeth coffee flavored honeycomb, crushed into bite size pieces and sprinkled on top. Blums is originally from San Francisco, where they had several free standing tea rooms back in the day.  Luckily for us in LA, they made their way south, and for years, going to Blum's was a special treat.   The cake is a show stopper to look at, and one of the best desserts I've ever eaten.  The following recipe comes from Tasting Table website.  They're doing  70's themed desserts, so you can look there for other favorite foods from the 70's, many of which you can no longer find.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.

Recipes

Blum's Coffee Crunch Cake

Recreate the Bay Area classic in your own home

    

2 Ratings

100% would make again

BY TEAM TASTING TABLE

12/11/17

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Photo: Valerie Confections

The central flavor of your winter dessert table doesn't have to be gingerbread or peppermint. West Coast dessert wizard Valerie Gordon published the recipe for the long-lost (but highly beloved) cake from Blum's pastry shops in her book, Sweet, and we're making this the year of the 1970s throwback dessert.

The caffeinated honeycomb crunch adds a textural sensation to the fluffy cake, so be liberal with it—just make sure to add it right before you serve, as its melt-in-your-mouth quality means it'll also start to dissolve when it hits the whipped cream.

Blum's Coffee Crunch Cake

Excerpted from Sweet, by Valerie Gordon. Reprinted with permission from Artisan Books. All rights reserved.

Yield: One 9-inch cake

Prep Time: 10 minutes, plus cooling time

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes, plus cooling time

INGREDIENTS

For the Chiffon Cake:

1¼ cups all-purpose flour

1½ cups sugar

½ teaspoon kosher salt

5 large eggs, separated, plus 2 large egg whites

2 tablespoons water

¼ cup canola oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Coffee Crunch:

2¼ cups sugar

⅓ cup strong brewed coffee

⅓ cup light corn syrup

1½ tablespoons baking soda

For the Coffee Whipped Cream

2½ cups well-chilled heavy cream

2½ tablespoons sugar

2½ teaspoons vanilla extract

2½ teaspoons instant coffee granules

DIRECTIONS

1. Make the cake: Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F. Coat the bottom and sides of a 9-inch round cake pan with a removable bottom with nonstick baking spray.

2. Sift together the flour, ¾ cup of the sugar, and the salt into a medium bowl.

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or in a large bowl, using a handheld mixer), whip the yolks and ¼ cup sugar on medium speed until thick and pale yellow, about 4 minutes. Gradually add the water, oil, and vanilla, mixing well. If using a stand mixer, transfer the mixture to a large bowl and wash and dry the mixer bowl and whisk (or wash the beaters).

4. Add the egg whites to the large mixer bowl (or another bowl) and beat until frothy. Add the cream of tartar and continue beating until the egg whites form soft peaks. Add the remaining ½ cup sugar and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form. Add the lemon zest and juice and beat just until incorporated, about 15 seconds.

5. Using a rubber spatula, fold the yolk mixture into the egg whites. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients, approximately 1 cup at a time, until fully incorporated.

6. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake the cake for 55 minutes to 1 hour, until it is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

7. Let the cake cool completely on a cooling rack, about 45 minutes (removing the cake when it is still warm will cause it to deflate and likely tear).

8. Run an offset spatula around the sides of the cake to loosen it from the pan. Holding the rim of the pan with one hand, press the bottom of the pan up and out. Run an offset spatula between the cake and the bottom to release it. Wrap the cake in plastic wrap and refrigerate until you are ready to assemble the cake.

9. Make the coffee crunch: Attach a candy thermometer to the side of a 4- to 6-quart heavy pot. Add the sugar, coffee and corn syrup to the pot and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally with a heatproof silicone spatula until the mixture reaches 270°F, about 10 minutes.

10. Meanwhile, heavily coat a 13-by-18-by-1-inch baking sheet with nonstick baking spray. Measure the baking soda into a ramekin or cup and place near the stovetop, along with a large whisk.

11. When the crunch reaches 270°F, increase the heat to high and stir constantly until the crunch reaches 305°F. Remove from the heat and quickly whisk the baking soda into the crunch; the mixture will expand and aerate quickly, in a matter of seconds. Pour the crunch onto the baking sheet. Allow the crunch to cool, undisturbed, for at least 30 minutes.

12. Using a cleaver or other heavy knife, chop the crunch into quarter-sized pieces. (The crunch can be made ahead and stories in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.)

13. Make the coffee whipped cream: Combine the heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, and coffee in a large bowl and whip with a handheld mixer until medium peaks form.

14. Assemble the cake: Place the cake on a turntable or cake stand and, using a long serrated knife, slice the cake horizontally in half. Remove the top half and place cut side up on a plate. Cover both halves with whipped cream, using approximately ½ cup per side. Scatter 1 cup of the crunch evenly to cover the bottom half. Place the top half, cream side down, on the top of the crunch layer and press gently to even the layers. Frost the sides and top of the cake with the remaining whipped cream. Refrigerated until ready to serve.

15. When you are ready to serve the cake, cover the sides and top with the remaining crunch (if you apply the crunch in advance, it will start to melt and lose its bite).

This cake is best enjoyed the day it is assembled; store it in a cake box or under a cake dome in the refrigerator.

DIY Strawberry Facial

A trip to the spa for a facial will set you back about $60.  A homemade facial will only set you back about $3 and you probably have most of the ingredients in your kitchen right now.  After performing this treatment on your face, you will feel rejuvenated, your face will be exfoliated, and you will smell like strawberries and cream.  Here's the recipe.

                               Homemade Strawberry Facial

3 strawberries, macerated
1 T. honey
2 T. oats (uncooked oatmeal)
1 T. plain Greek yogurt
1 T. bentonite clay (available in health food stores)

All ingredient amounts are approximate.  Add a little more or less to get a nice paste for a facial mask.  Apply mixture to face, avoiding eye area.  Let it set for 20 minutes.  Wipe clean with a cloth.  Do not wash your face.  Your face should feel smooth and soft and smell wonderful.  The oatmeal acts as an exfoliation, so you will have removed dead skin.  Give it a try and see what you think.

Food Halls Are The Next Big Dining Trend

We all know how successful Liberty Station's two year old food hall has been.  It is packed for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, with 30 choices for diners.  Well, James Markham, the restauranteur who created Pieology, Project Pie and now Crackheads (breakfast), thinks that food halls are the next big food concept.

Markham secured the lease at the old TGIFridays in Carlsbad (big windmill hovers above it), which has been vacant for two years.  Years ago, this spot was the home of Anderson's Pea Soup.  Here, Markham plans to create the Carlsbad Windmill Food Hall, 12,000 square feet of 11 individual food vendors, bar, and games for the children.  Games will include Skee Ball, Pac Man and Ping Pong.  In order to free up servers to help customers rather than have to spend time processing credit cards, Markham plans to create a single point payment system, similar to the system used at the KAABOO concert in Del Mar last year.  When customers arrive, they check in, get a key fob linked to their credit card, which will be swiped at each booth for payment.  I can't wait for Carlsbad Winmill Food Hall to open.

Markham might be right about the food hall trend.  In June, Little Italy Food Hall is set to open.  Also this summer, Whisknladle Hospitality will open Park Commons, formerly San Diego Tech Center, in Sorrento Valley.  It will be 10,000 square feet of food hall space.  One chef will oversee multi concept food stations.

San Diego and North County are seem to be keeping up, perhaps even setting trends in food right now.  First breweries and gastro pubs, now food halls.  I hope the concept lives up to the hype.

Tennessee Children's Home Society

Today, adoptions are carefully controlled.  Public or private, adoptions are scrutinized.  This was not always the case.  From the 1930's until 1951, Georgia Tann ran the Tennessee Children's Home Society.  The scandals that took place, the thousands of adoptions that were arranged under questionable means, resulted in adoption reform laws in Tennessee in 1951.  Unfortunately, this was too late for the children that were stolen and sold on the black market.  Those that did survive and placed for adoption, were subjected to harsh mistreatment at the hands of George Tann before they were adopted.  Children were stolen and adopted by clients of Tann.  Tann also in collusion with some local area doctors who informed the Home of unwed mothers. Tann would take the newborns under the pretext of providing them with hospital care and would later tell the mothers that the children had died and that their bodies had been buried immediately in the name of compassion.

When the scandal was finally investigated in 1951, investigators discovered that the Society was a front for a broad black market adoption ring, headed by Tann.  They found irregularities and secret bank accounts.  In some cases, Tann skimmed as much as 90% of the adoption fees when children were placed out of state.  Officials also found out that Judge Kelley had railroaded through hundreds of adoptions without following state laws.  Kelley received payments from Tann for her assistance.  Tann died in 1950, Kelley retired that same year, and was never prosecuted for her role in the scandal.

Over several decades, nineteen of the children who died at the Tennessee Children's Home Society under the care of Georgia Tann were buried in Elmwood Cemetery, with no headstones.  In 2015, the cemetery raised $13,000 to erect a monument in their memory.  It reads, in part, "In memory of the 19 children who finally rest here unmarked if not unknown, and of the hundreds who died under the cold, hard hand of Tennessee Children's Home Society.  Their final resting place unknown.  Their final peace a blessing.  The hard lesson of their fate changed adoption procedure and law nationwide.

If this topic interests you, read "Before We Were Yours" by Lisa Wingate.

Engaging Young Voters In The Election Process

From time to time I get political and write about how I view our world.  I mentioned a while ago that I thought women would be a huge factor in elections this year.  The #metoo movement has led to thousands of women thinking about running for office, hundreds probably running.  It's our time.  Now I add another voting group that I think have a chance to make a difference:  Young voters, age 18-25.

With the shooting of 17 people in Parkland, Florida, students, some not even of voting age, are standing up.  They are tenacious, they are "in your face" blunt, they are articulate, and they're not to be ignored.  What has come out of this tragedy is simply amazing.  Students from around the country marching for responsible gun ownership, meeting with lawmakers, both local and national, speaking out on social media, and letting their voices be heard.The 18-25 year old voters have typically been apathetic.  Perhaps this tragedy will get them motivated.  They can make a change, if they choose to get involved.

Getting young voters involved is the challenge.  How do we do it?  First, we get great students to speak for the many.  That's already done.  The leaders of the student movement from Florida are articulate, informed, and willing to fight for what they believe.  So how do we get the rest of the young voters registered?  I think social media is the key.  I'm not much of a social media expert but there are people who can make that happen.

Women and young voters, get registered to vote.  Vote for candidates that agree with you on important issues.  That's the way we can make America great again.  The fact that numerous teenagers have signed up to run for political office in Kansas (where there are no age restrictions on holding political office) tells me young people are getting involved.  Voting is a right, not a privilege.  Let's get everyone registered to vote.  That would be a great thing.

Spicy Citrus Popcorn

Here's a great snack from The Lark, the hottest restaurant in Santa Barbara.  It's addictive.  I hope you like it.

                                 Spicy Citrus Popcorn

1 cup canola oil (225 grams)
1 cup popcorn kernels (225 grams)
1 tablespoon salt (7 grams)
1 teaspoon chili oil (5 grams)
2 teaspoons olive oil (10 grams)
Zest of 2 limes
Zest of 2 lemons
2 tablespoons cilantro (10 grams), chopped
½ teaspoon citric acid (2 grams)

Directions

1. In a wide, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat along with 2 or 3 individual popcorn kernels. When they pop, add the remaining kernels and cover.
2. Let the popcorn pop, shaking the covered pan frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the popping slows down.
3. Pour into a large bowl, toss with the remaining ingredients and serve.

1 cup canola oil (225 grams)
1 cup popcorn kernels (225 grams)
1 tablespoon salt (7 grams)
1 teaspoon Calabrian chile oil (5 grams)
2 teaspoons olive oil (10 grams)
Zest of 2 limes
Zest of 2 lemons
2 tablespoons cilantro (10 grams), chopped
½ teaspoon citric acid (2 grams)

Directions

1. In a wide, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat along with 2 or 3 individual popcorn kernels. When they pop, add the remaining kernels and cover.
2. Let the popcorn pop, shaking the covered pan frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the popping slows down.
3. Pour into a large bowl, toss with the remaining ingredients and serve.

Food Trends: Charcoal Lattes

Charcoal lattes are the next food trend, starting in the UK and parts of Asia, and now moving into the U.S.  The magic ingredient is activated charcoal, and is said to have major benefits to your health.  It can cleanse your digestive system.  It also reduces bloating and gas and increases energy.  It is also said to relieve a nasty hangover.  There are, however, some important things to consider before consuming a charcoal latte.

Activated charcoals is also used for drug overdoses and poisoning.  It is non discriminative and therefore can remove beneficial nutrients or medications as well as impurities.  It must be used in small doses.  Anyone who takes medications (probably everyone reading this blog) should avoid consumption of activated charcoal, according to some dieticians and nutritionists.  PLEASE, check with your doctor before making this drink or ordering it at a coffee bar.  Maybe this is a drink best enjoyed by the young and the healthy.  I don't know if it is served yet in San Diego, but you can find it on the menu in Chinatown in New York City at The Good Sort.  Below is a home recipe for it, if you dare.  Please, drink responsibly and check with your doctor before consuming.  I was all  ready to try it before I read about the negatives.  Proceed at your own risk.

Activated charcoal latte

3 cups of almond milk
1 tsp activated charcoal
2 tsp vanilla extract

Any sweetener, as desired

Heat all ingredients in a saucepan, then blend in blender until frothy.  Enjoy.

Dogs Helping People

Ron and I were in the Scripps Lab waiting for him to get blood drawn, and in walks a lady with a beautiful lab/golden retriever dog.  The dog was wearing a jacket identifying him as a canine companion in training.  The woman sat down and of course I started talking to her, wanting to hear all about her role in training a dog to help man.  She was happy to talk.

Although I never got the name of the organization she volunteered for, I do know this.  The organization trains and places canine companions to disabled and handicapped persons and wounded warriors.  They do not train dogs for the blind.  That is another organization.  These dogs, by the time their 18 months of training is completed, know dozens of commands that enable the dogs to assist persons in wheel chairs or walkers, the hard of hearing or those with any affliction that requires assistance.  The woman I talked with was raising her 13th canine companion.  She said that although it was difficult to give up a dog after working with one for 18 months, she knows that another puppy is just around the corner, waiting for her love and training.  Also, she knows that the dog she has just trained is going to a worthy person who is going to have years of love and assistance from the dog she has trained.  For many, a canine companion enables them to get back into society, out in the world, and live a complete and satisfying life.

Thank you to all the men and women that volunteer their time and expertise to making programs like this work.  They are truly making a difference!

The Brilliant of the Women Code Breakers of WW11

I took history in high school and college, yet never did I hear about the important role that women played in breaking code for America and its allies.  In 1944, the code-breakers intercepted 30,000 water transport messages a month, that they were able to solve through an intensive search for patterns and some "golden" guesses.  That information enabled the Navy to pinpoint and sink almost every supply ship heading to the Philippines or the South Pacific.  Additionally, before D-Day, the female teams of code breakers participated in the effort to give the Germans false information and fake radio traffic about the site of the Allied landing.

Why did we hear nothing about this for almost 70 years?  Partially because of the vow of secrecy each woman who entered the program took.  Recently, collections in the National Archives have been declassified, and surviving women, in their 90's have started to tell their stories.

Women were often recruited for this top secret endeavor from colleges, but some were also taken from the classroom.  New college graduates just starting a teaching career thought the prospect of learning code and helping the war effort exciting and patriotic.

Because of the excellent work of these unsung heroes, both the WAC's and WAVES were formed.  Army WAC's were accepted beginning in 1942, while Navy WAVES came along a bit later.  The Navy's female code-breakers had the opportunity to become commissioned officers.  They went to boot camp, cut their hair short, and were subject to harsh Navy discipline.  However, they loved the pride and camaraderie, and in a year there were 4,000 code-breakers at the WAVES barracks D, working three shifts a day, marching and singing, "I don't need a man to give me sympathy/Why I needed it before is a mystery."

Just as the book and movie Hidden Figures revealed the role of women, African American women, had played in the space program, Code Girls, by Lisa Mundy, reveals the important role women played in winning WW11.  Why we're just hearing about this now, I do not know.

Artisian Bread In Carlsbad

Looking for a good bakery in Carlsbad?  I've found one.  It's Praeger Brothers in Carlsbad.  Owned and operated by Clinton and Louie Praeger, born and bred in Carlsbad, it's a real find.  When they opened their business several years ago, their main focus was bread, and it became a big hit.  They began selling at local Farmers' Markets, and can now be found at outdoor markets in Carlsbad, La Jolla, Hillcrest, Little Italy, Vista and Escondido.  Their bread is also available at Jimbo's and Seaside Markets.  Since first opening a few years ago, they have expanded their products and their retail store.

I was there recently and bought delicious soft pretzels (New York style), French baguette, chocolate chip cookie and flatbread with pumpkin seeds.  They have beautiful loaves of wheat, rye and sour dough bread, in addition to croissants and several sweet bakery items.  Prager's retail store is open Monday-Saturday.  They have recently added sandwiches and drinks to their menu of items, so you can go for lunch and buy your baked goods for the week.

Prager Brothers is located just a few blocks from Faraday and El Camino Real, on Palmer St.  You'd never know it was there if someone didn't tell you about it.  You'll be glad you know if it.  The bread and baked goods are just delicious, and who doesn't want to support a local, independent business, that makes such a great product?

Do Dogs Get Colds?

The short answer is YES, but not from humans.  The colds that humans get are species -specific.  They can not catch a cold from other humans, but they can catch a cold.  I have had a least a dozen dogs over the course of my lifetime, and I don't ever remember one catching a cold.

As with most dog illnesses, lack of appetite and no desire to drink water, along with general lethargy, are cause for concern.  If your dog is sneezing, has watery eyes and a runny nose, he probably has a cold.  There are several canine viruses that dogs can contract.  If your dog does not get better in 7-10 days, seek medical advice.  In the meantime, keep your dog isolated from other dogs.  He is probably contagious, so no park or doggy play dates if he has cold symptoms.

So, humans get an average of 2-3 colds per year, and canines rarely, if ever get colds.  Go figure.

Impress Your Guests With Baked Apple Roses

They look impressive, they taste delicious, and they're so easy to make.  I got the recipe from my neighbor Max, who loves to cook.  He had guests for dinner last night, and besides a fabulous ciopppino, he made the apple roses for dessert.  Here's how to impress your guests with a dessert that looks like you've been in the kitchen all day.

                                      Baked Apple Roses

1 package Pepperidge Farms puffed pastry (or similar), defrosted
2 firm apples, halved, cored, and sliced thin.  Be sure to keep skin on.
melted butter
mixture of cinnamon and sugar

Place sliced apples on a plate and microwave for 45 seconds, or until apples are limp.  Take two pieces of the puffed pastry, and roll it into a long rectangle, about 3 inches wide.  Trim puff pastry and have 4 rectangles to fill.  Spread with melted butter or apricot jam, which has been heated to a thin consistency.  Layer the apples on the puff pastry, with about 1/2 inch of the skin over the puff pastry.   Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture. When you roll it up this will be the top of the rose, so red apples are good.  After covering the rectangle, fold the rest of the rectangle over the apples. Again, spread melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.  Now, start at one end and roll the puff pastry tightly, then seal the puff pastry at the end.  The tops of the apples should be exposed and look like a rose.  Place in a buttered muffin tin, cook at 400 degrees for 40-45 minutes, or until golden brown.  Cool and remove.  The result is a beautiful apple rose!  You can cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar, or serve with ice cream or whip cream.  Any way, it's a delicious dessert.