From Denny: First off is a recipe from a Texas chef for which he is well known - Lemon Honey Cake. He even keeps his own bees and provides the honey! Now that's dedication to local food sources. :)
Check out a recipe for lemon bread from a wonderful bed and breakfast inn located in Asheville, North Carolina. Asheville is a beautiful town, full of friendly relaxed people and they are very proud of their small city. It's where the famed Biltmore House lives and is quite the community's featured attraction. When we used to live in Atlanta, Georgia, we would often drive up to The Biltmore during the Christmas season to hear the Christmas music and enjoy all the Christmas decorations and festivities on the grounds. We were close enough to go and return in one (long) day.
There is plenty more to entice you in Asheville as it's a great place for family vacations. There are pet friendly hotels and bed and breakfast inns like this one where your family can vacation in comfort.
Some of these bed and breakfast inns are quite luxurious, like some of the hotels, with some awesome amenities in this city. Asheville is a town where for the past 100 years the very wealthy from New York City come to summer vacation. There are hiking trails to enjoy, museums and more. The President and his family vacationed here early this summer as there is quite the golf course here.
*** Photo of Lemon Honey Cake from Bolsa Restaurant website
Lemon Honey Cake
From: Graham Dodds, executive chef of Bolsa Restaurant, here's a photo and short interview, go here. (Bolsa is Spanish for bag like in grocery bag.)
Makes: 1 (10-inch) cake
Ingredients:
Spray shortening and extra sugar, as needed to coat a cake pan
2/3 cup bread flour (not the usual all-purpose or cake flour, this is different)
1/2 tbl. baking powder
2/3 cup granulated sugar
4 eggs
1/2 cup Texas honey (or fresh honey from your area)
2 lemons, zest removed and reserved
1/4 cup whole milk
1 stick butter, melted
Fresh berries, whipped cream and/or chunk of honeycomb for garnish
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray and 10-inch cake pan at coat with sugar, tapping out the excess sugar but making sure that the pan is evenly coated.
Sift bread flour, baking powder and 2/3 cup sugar together into a large bowl and set aside.
Place eggs, honey and lemon zest in a mixer and beat to a ribbon stage. (A ribbon stage is reached when a whisk or spoon moved through the mixture leaves a trail behind that is visible for a short while before merging back into the mixture.)
Squeeze lemons and gently fold the lemon juice and then the milk into the egg mixture.
Now, gently combine the flour mixture with the egg mixture, being careful to just incorporate the flour and not over beat the flour. The cake will come out tough if the flour is overworked.
Gently fold in the melted butter.
Pour the finished batter into a prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes, or until the top is light brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Serve with fresh berries and whipped cream or a chunk of honeycomb.
Lemons in blue bowl photo by Jill Clardy @ flickr
Meet Applewood Manor Inn
From the website: 1908 New England Style Inn, nestled on 1.5 acres, 6 blocks from downtown, service focused, relaxed, Pet Friendly Cottage.
Larry and Nancy Merrill are your hosts in this fine, old colonial turn-of-the-century Asheville bed and breakfast. Located in the historic Montford District of Asheville, NC, Applewood Manor Inn sits on its' quiet acre and a half of "country in the city" surrounded by giant oaks, pines, maples and a variety of flora. Yet the manor if just 3 miles from the breathtaking Biltmore Estate, a short 10-minute drive to the Blue Ridge Parkway, and a 25-minute stroll past magnificent old homes to downtown Asheville.
Check in and unwind from your travels with a complimentary beverage in a rocker on one of five porches ... plan your next day's adventures to Smoky Mountain National Park, snow skiing, whitewater rafting, a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway during its glorious autumnal display, a visit to the world famous Biltmore Estate, or one of many local historical attractions of Asheville, "Land of the Sky." Later, Retire to your spacious room decorated with antiques, lace, and fine linen ... curl up to the cozy, working fireplace and get a refreshing night's sleep in a room garnished with fresh flowers.
Awaken to the smell of the Manor's fresh fare: Enjoy a cup of fresh brewed coffee or hot tea by the fireside in the parlor or living room or lounge on one of the Manor's multiple porches while Nancy & Larry prepare your three course breakfast of homemade bread with a side of cream cheese, seasonal fruit with sides of Nancy's "home brew" granola and vanilla yogurt, and varied and equally enticing entrees fit for the Lords and Ladies of the Manor.
After breakfast you may be off for a stroll in the nearby Botanical Gardens, a game of croquet or badminton in the yard, a brisk bike ride around the area or a walk through the historic neighborhood for a peaceful start to your day's activities. Upon your return from your adventures, pause a while by the fireplace in the parlor, or in the library with a calming cup of tea or other refreshments, good conversation or a good book, and look forward to another day of living well under the cordial roof here at Applewood Manor Inn.
Applewood Manor Inn
62 Cumberland Circle
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
Phone: (828) 254-2244
Fax: (828) 254-0899
email: innkeeper@applewoodmanor.com
Nancy & Larry Merrill, Innkeepers
*** Remember to support small business in your area and when you travel. Why stay at a Big Business hotel as you travel when you can stay in a more home like atmosphere of a bed and breakfast inn? The prices are comparable, the people friendlier and your stay will be memorable.
*** Another version of Lemon Bread photo by little blue hen @ flickr
Lemon Bread
From: Applewood Manor Inn
Ingredients:
1/3 cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp slat
1/2 cup mild
Grated rind of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lemon
1/3 cup sugar
Directions:
Cream butter (or margarine) & sugar. Add eggs and mix well. Add flour baking powder and salt. Mix and add milk and grated rind.
Bake at 350° in greased loaf pan for 50 minutes for 1 large loaf, or 30 minutes for 2 small loaves.
Mix together the juice of 1 lemon and 1/3 cup sugar. Pour mixture over bread while it is still warm. Can be made ahead and frozen.
*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:
The Social Poets
The Soul Calendar
Visual Insights
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations
Poems From A Spiritual Heart
The Healing Waters
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes
