June and Lemon Cake with Ina

I've been a little bit blogged out this summer. So I'm back-posting some photos and fun until I catch up with the calendar. I'm sure you all don't mind:) Not sure I'll be able to post everything in sequence, but let's start with food! Remember one of my resolutions to cook with the Barefoot Contessa whenever possible? I've had some good excuses to bake lately- I'm always looking for a reason (more than two of us) to get out the beaters.

First- Lemon Cake, lots of lemon cake from Ina's Parties cookbook for our summer garden party. It was so delicious, lemony, and sweet, with blueberries and Ready Whip for the perfect accompaniment. (It's much easier to take before and during photos of food... people arrive, too much to finish up to get the camera back out, food is gone- that's just the reality) Thankfully we had a few leftover slices to fancy up for a photograph before indulging again. 

I baked six of these the day before the party. After the first batch, which seemed to be overdone on the edges and not so much in the middle, my mom gave me the tip to turn the temp down and let them bake longer. Perfect! While baking these Friday night, Elizabeth told us that growing up her mom wouldn't let them play around the oven when she was baking a pound cake because they would fall. Sounds like an old-wives tale, right? Well, the last two I put in the oven Saturday morning while we were setting up and cleaning up for the party- i.e. running in and out and up and down all around the oven. You guessed it- they fell right down in the middle! They still tasted ok, but weren't as nice and airy as the other ones that rose properly. I'd say there's a lot to be learned when baking eight cakes!

Next up, and from quite a while ago, Ina's Chicken Piccata, just as indulgent as her lemon cake, with white wine, lemon, and butter!! I love cooking with lemon lately, and Laurence loves chicken.

And, a summer staple since living in Atlanta with Colleen and Amy, Summer Orzo! Every ingredient in this is so yummy... and all roasted together! I've learned so much about roasting veggies from Ina. I love any veggie roasted... just add some salt, pepper, olive oil, and garlic. Our favorites to roast together from the garden last summer were eggplant and green beans- unfortunately we'll have to buy these at the Farmer's Market this summer.

And lastly, Maple Oatmeal Scones. Perfect for a baby shower brunch... or for an afternoon snack, but really they should be enjoyed with a hot cup of coffee, while sitting:) These are the most time intensive of the recipes, but it makes a lot, and is so worth it. I'm eager for my next excuse to bake so I can try out her strawberry and cranberry orange scones too. Such a rare treat!

Until next time I would recommend getting out some kosher salt, lemon, and butter, Ina won't disappoint!