LCBO Food and Drink Holiday 2016

FLAVOURS  FRUITS & NUTS

POUND CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE, CHERRIES & PECANS

5 Fold flour mixture into butter mixture until just incorporated. Evenly turn out batter into pan; smooth top. Bake 70 to 80 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool on a rack for 15 minutes, then turn out to continue cool­ ing on the rack. 6 For decorative drizzle, pour cream into a glass measure; add chocolate. Microwave 30 seconds; stir. Microwave another 20 sec­ onds; stir until smooth. Using a spoon, drizzle overtop fully cooled cake. Place cake in a cool location (but not in the fridge); drizzle sets firmly in 2 to 3 hours. Covered, cake keeps well at room temperature for several days. Makes 1 cake, 20 to 24 pieces

CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE ¼ cup (60 mL) 35% whipping cream 3 oz (90 g) semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped 1 Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). 2 Place eggs still in shells in a small bowl; temper by adding hot tap water to cover. When ready to use eggs, drain and discard water. In a large mixing bowl, stir flour well with baking powder; add cherries, chocolate and pecans. Toss and set aside. 3 Preferably using a stand mixer, cream but­ ter for 5 minutes, stopping and scraping down the sides twice, or until lighter in colour and somewhat fluffy. Add sugar in 2 batches, beat­ ing after each addition. Beat in cream cheese until fluffy; then beat in vanilla and salt. 4 Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each ad­ dition. Meanwhile, grease and flour a 10-inch (25-cm) Bundt pan.

Banish thoughts of heavy Christmas fruit cakes, as this one is light in both colour and texture. Feel free to play around with the dried fruit, chocolate and nut combination. How­ ever, do buy exceptional chocolate such as Callebault or Lindt for best flavour. CAKE 4 eggs 2 cups (500 mL) sifted cake flour 1½ tsp (7 mL) baking powder ⅔ cup (150 mL) sweetened dried Montmorency cherries 3 oz (90 g) semi-sweet chocolate, chopped, about ⅔ cup (150 mL) 1 cup (250 mL) pecans ¾ cup (175 mL) softened unsalted butter, about 6 oz (175 g)

WHAT TO SERVE Taylor Fladgate Late Bottled Vintage Port LCBO 46946, $18.10 Sinful Cherry LCBO 421982, $34.75

1¼ cups (310 mL) granulated sugar 1 pkg (250 g) softened cream cheese 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla ½ tsp (2 mL) salt

50  FOOD & DRI NK HOLIDAY 2016