Italians know how to make a good cake! If you have had an Italian cake, you know what I'm talking about! if not, take this cake as an example.
I'm luckily married to an Italian. I'm very lucky to be married to a cute Italian chef that brings cakes home from work for every birthday! Luca turned 5 this past week. I asked Fabrizio which cake he is bringing home from the restaurant. He answered, "A white chocolate mousse cake and a tiramisu' cake." My head was spinning as I nodded my head in approval! I was counting down the minutes until we all got to have a slice of these heavenly creations.
Fabrizio's mom cooked the whole day. My mom was given strict instructions to just relax and take the day off. Teresa made Calabrese zeppole stuffed with sardines, red peppers, and hot dogs! She made homemade lasagne with her meat ragu' and besciamella. Teresa made Calabrese eggplant meatballs. I made the salmon for our vegetarian guests. She made a roast with polenta. I ate 10 sardine zeppole and then I was pretty much done. I had to nibble on her lasagne or she may have been offended. My dad kept urging me, "Mangia! Mangia! You're so skinny. Are you sure you're ok?" Yes dad! I'm fine! Just 10 fried zeppole expand and then leave no room for lasagne. But there is of course room for a little cake.
I have to talk a little about how blessed I feel. I have two healthy beautiful children and a sweet husband. I have some health issues, but I'm praying they'll all be resolved next week when I do my surgery. There are many other reasons I feel blessed. I will keep this short and leave that for another post.
I have been thinking all week about my friend Monet and her sister's car accident. Her sister Pam and family were in a terrible wreck last week. Monet lost her nephew in the accident. I couldn't sleep for a couple nights after it happened. I would fall asleep and then wake up thinking about how she lost her nephew and her sister and brother-in-law were severely injured. I lay awake thinking how life can change in an instant. I felt this crazy pang in my chest that made me want to call my dad in the middle of the night. I was thinking about how we have to cherish every moment. Hug our loved ones, squeeze them, smother them with kisses. And if we can't do that in person, call them and tell them we love them.
A group of friends did guest posts for Monet to keep her blog going while she goes through this difficult time. Today is the sad day her sister Pam passed away. Pam was on life support and I know she is in a much more peaceful place now. My heart aches for Monet and her family's loss.
I have not yet met Monet in person, but I feel as if we've been friends for a lifetime. If you don't know her, maybe you would like to read her past posts. You will be charmed by her sweetness and eloquence. She bakes the best breads and is always ready with thoughtful compliments on everyone's blogs. The food blogging community is amazing (another thing I feel grateful about!) and has been so supportive to her. Go over and tell her you're thinking of her…she could use all the support she could get these days.
Luca was wondering where his Disney Pixar Cars cake was when Fabrizio arrived with these cakes from work. He also said the letter "L" wasn't the real letter "L". He does have a point. It was sloping down.
I don't have the recipe here for you today for this amazing cake. It was a Pan di Spagna cake (an Italian sponge cake), white chocolate mousse in middle, gorgeous strawberries on top. The other cake on right was all tiramisu'. I will post a recipe for the cake in the future. I didn't want too much time to pass without mentioning my little angel's birthday and to show off his cakes.
In the meantime, I found this recipe from Nick Malgeri. I love Nick Malgeri's recipes and know this is authentic and delizioso!
Pan di Spagna
Recipe Courtesy of Nick Malgieri
Serves: 1 9 or-10 inch cake
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs, separated
- ¾ cup sugar divided
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch salt
- ½ cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
Directions
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the yolks with the vanilla extract. Whisk in half the sugar and continue to beat until very light and frothy, about 5 minutes. Combine the flour and cornstarch and sift once to aerate. In a clean, dry bowl beat the egg whites with the salt until they hold a very soft peak. Beating faster, add the remaining sugar in a very slow stream, beating until the egg whites hold a firm peak. Fold the yolks into the whites. Sift the flour and cornstarch over the eggs in 3 additions, folding them in gradually. Do not over-mix the batter. Pour the batter into a buttered and paper-lined 9 or 10-inch round pan, 2-inches deep and smooth the top.
Bake the Pan di Spagna at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes, until it is well risen and feels firm when pressed gently with the palm of the hand. Immediately loosen the layer from the side of the pan with a small knife or spatula. Invert the layer and leave the paper stuck to it. Turn the layer right side up and cool it on a rack. The cake can be stored double-wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer. Thank you for coming by to say "hi" this week! I hope you're having a super week!
Cherish your loved ones. Cherish every breath and every beautiful moment. Don't sweat the little things. Really. I mean it.
Cherish your loved ones. Cherish every breath and every beautiful moment. Don't sweat the little things. Really. I mean it.
Beautiful and delicious looking cake!
Beautiful cakes and a wonderful post! Stay strong!!
You are so darn talented! I can't wait to see that beautiful smile come back to us with no stress left! Bellissimo and your right you are so lucky just looking at the families look in their eyes of the love they have for you... stay strong dear your going to get through this... so sorry about the little boy in the car.. what a tragic accident.. prayers are being said by all of us.. we are your family too here xoxo Ciao with amore'
Beautiful cake, Lora. We are all thinking of Monet and sending her our thoughts. I will be thinking of you and praying for the best for your surgery too. A good reminder to be thankful for what we all have.
This is such a wonderful post Lora! Thank you for reminding us how truly blessed we are. I was crushed to read Monet's post yesterday, but so inspired to see how positive and strong she is staying. Love this post and this cake looks absolutely divine. I am so happy that you're having such a wonderful time with your in-laws right now!
Thanks for reminding us to think of the blessings in our life when so many sad events and circumstances seem to surround us. Beautiful post.
You'll be in our thoughts. Keep the faith.
Hugs
Beautiful, touching post! I agree...we are all very blessed. Even though tragedies happen, I know and trust that God is in control. You have a beautiful family, Lora!! Happy birthday to your son. 🙂
Denise @ Creative Kitchen
Buon compleanno a tuo Luca. Tanti auguri!
Tu sei una ragazza con il cuore grandissimo.
I admire you and your strength. I admire your support for Monet.I think of both of you every day, but not sadly. My thoughts are very happy thoughts, because both of you are strong, beautiful, giving souls that make other people smile even when it's really difficult to face the life. Thank you for being you:)
Life can be tough, which is all the more reason to savor the sweet and happy moments! Blessings to you with the outcome of your surgery, Lora. Your kids look so cute hugging each other:) The cakes look amazing and big! 🙂
My heart aches for Monet! And there are many times we ask "What is the point?" but then life is depressing and not worth living if we believe so! There has to be point!
The point is that you leave traces in others' lives and make their day brighter... and others do the same for you.
Hope you get well soon! Hope the surgery will go great and will resolve all the issues you are having! You are in my thoughts!
Happy Birthday to your sweet Luca! Please tell Teresa her meal made my heart skip a beat. I'm keeping you in my prayers. My heart had been aching for Monet too.
Wishing you get well soon.
-Gina-
God bless your family, Lora! Your daughter looks so much like you 🙂 reading about Monet's family reminds me how unpredictable and fragile life is. A few days ago my neighbor's husband passed away [heart attack while he was sleeping next to her]. I am praying for all these people who are no longer with us, and I'm really grateful for the blessings in my life.
Happy Birthday to Luca, sounds like it was a wonderful celebration. That is so thoughtful of you to help Monet during this difficult time. My thoughts are with her and with you as well, I hope that everything goes well for you next week.
A lovely post, Lora, and happy bday to your little guy! Pam's accident and death have hit me hard as well, I can't seem to stop thinking about them. I guess as a mom we just can't let go of a child's death either.
I read your post on Monet's blog and it was beautiful.
You are in all of our thoughts as well! May your surgery be quick and your recovery easy.
We do all have to remember how blessed we are! I love this post Lora, it really made me reflect a lot! And I did love that cake. Next time you have such a dinner, please....invitami! I'm coming over even if I had to drive from California 🙂
Happy birthday to your little one and good luck to you for next week. I hope all your health issues get resolved in a "batter d'occhi"
Love, S
It's the small things like you say: family, cake and enjoying both together. Those cakes (though not Pixar!) look fabulous and I bet they tasted delicious. It sounds like you had a food feast! Thanks for sharing and my prayers go out to Monet and her family...
This is a beautiful post. I lost two loved ones in the past few months, and it's amazing how it opens your eyes to so many things. I've been following Monet's story, it's so heartbreaking how people can be here one minute and gone the rest.
Thank you for reminding us to count all the blessing we have. I continue to think good thoughts for you as well!
Sometimes in the minutes of our lives, it's easy to forget how blessed we are, until we learn of others' misfortunes. My heart goes out to Monet, and I thank you for the reminder.
The photos of this cake are gorgeous. More importantly, I agree with you. Focus on what is important in life. If you know Monet, you will know how short life can be and how precious it is. Remember that every day.