Sunday, July 6, 2014

4th July Celebrations and Basic Vanilla Cake

For this month's In My Kitchen I decided to share with you our 4th of July celebrations.
We aren't American but my husband is a *tad* obsessed with all things American so I thought I'm make it a special night for him!

Here's how it turned out:
I had debating making veggie burgers but my husband isn't usually a fan, so I decided we would try carrot dogs instead! For those who haven't heard of this idea, it's where you use a carrot in place of a meat hot dog. I boiled the carrots first and then marinated them for a few hours before dry-frying them! They were quite tasty :-) 
The addition of liquid smoke meant that they definitely didn't taste like plain boiled carrots! I topped them with water sauteed onion and capsicum, along with sauerkraut and sauce. Served with corn cobs and baked home fries.
I was SO SO excited with the fries because I had purchased a new kitchen gadget to make crinkle cut chips! I was so pleased that it worked out so well for just a few dollars :-) 

All celebrations need a cake!!!
I made a basic vanilla cake (recipe to follow) and spread with jam and decorated with fruit to 'mimic' the US flag (yes I do realise there is not enough stripes or stars!).

 Now for the cake recipe!
BASIC VANILLA CAKE 
1 1/2 cups wholemeal self-raising flour
1/2 cup coconut sugar (or other unrefined sweetner)
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 cup motherless milk (I used soymilk)
1 Tablespoon vanilla essense
1/2 cup applesauce

Whisk the apple cider vinegar into the milk and set aside to thicken.
In a mixing bowl combine the flour and sugar. Make a well in the centre and stir in the vanilla, applesauce & milk mixture. 
Stir until just combined.
Pour into a lined 18cm square baking dish and tap to even the surface.
Bake in a preheated 180C oven for 25 minutes or until cooked through.
 
 So moist and delicious!

Definitely worth celebrating - but then again, 
I don't need a special day to make cake ;-)
Question of the day:
Do you celebrate the 4th of July even if you aren't in America?
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30 comments:

  1. Johanna GGGJuly 6, 2014 at 10:18 PM

    Wow that looks great fun - love the cake and the crinkle cut and the loaded up carrot dogs - I don't usually celebrate 4 July because I don't get organised but I enjoy all the foodie celebrations and always think it would be fun to do that next year.

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    1. SandyJuly 8, 2014 at 8:52 PM

      lol - yep I hear you about not being organised, thankfully this year I was, even if I did only think of it in the morning ;-)

      Delete
  2. Anna@stuffedveggiesJuly 7, 2014 at 7:26 AM

    LOVE that cake! I'm an American in America, and didn't do nearly as much for the holiday as you did! Great job : )

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    1. SandyJuly 8, 2014 at 8:50 PM

      hehe thanks! :-)
      At least you got a holiday day to enjoy then!!!!!

      Delete
  3. Kim BultmanJuly 7, 2014 at 8:01 PM

    Sandy, what a fabulous 4th of July feast -- with sparklers, too! I agree with Anna's comment. :) Thanks for the tip on 'carrot dogs,' too -- first time I've heard of them, and I'll definitely be trying them.

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    1. SandyJuly 8, 2014 at 8:51 PM

      Love bringing the sparklers out for some added fun! Give the carrot dogs a try - they are great!

      Delete
  4. Finding JoyJuly 7, 2014 at 8:36 PM

    I am impressed!! Where did you buy your crinkly potato cutter, they look so good!

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    1. SandyJuly 8, 2014 at 8:48 PM

      Thanks! Got the crinkle cutter from a dollar store just down the road from us - I hadn't intended to get one but couldn't resist when I saw it there!

      Delete
  5. Tandy | Lavender and LimeJuly 8, 2014 at 1:49 AM

    I love the term motherless milk. I must try use coconut sugar in my next cake. Thanks for sharing :)

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    1. SandyJuly 8, 2014 at 8:47 PM

      lol thanks! I must admit it still gives me a chuckle too!
      I enjoy the subtle sweetness of coconut sugar quite a lot :-)

      Delete
  6. blessedmamaJuly 8, 2014 at 7:54 AM

    Welll speaking as as American, you did a really good job! I've never heard of carrot dogs before! I have the same crinkle cutter! The cake looks adorable.

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    1. SandyJuly 8, 2014 at 8:45 PM

      So many people say they have the crinkle cutter and I have only just found out about them lol!

      Delete
  7. MaureenJuly 8, 2014 at 8:43 AM

    Awww I AM American as well as Aussie and I didn't go to that much effort. Your celebration is perfect. Carrot dogs forever!

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    1. SandyJuly 8, 2014 at 8:45 PM

      Haha, any excuse to cook and make cake I reckon ;-) Yay carrot dogs - glad to hear of another fan!

      Delete
  8. KathyDJuly 8, 2014 at 9:41 AM

    I am American. I don't think I've ever seen anyone who is not American do anything to celebrate the 4th of July. Thanks so much. I really enjoyed this. You went all out and did a great job!

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  9. AnonymousJuly 8, 2014 at 1:53 PM

    I have a fondness for American decorating and celebration, I drool over blogs and decorating tips involving autumn wreaths on front doors and brilliant stuff made with acorns :) This year I made a pudding that had red and blue berries in it. I often do something to tie in with 'celebration days', like poutine on Canada Day. I'm looking forward to Bastille Day!

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    1. SandyJuly 8, 2014 at 8:42 PM

      Our family used to celebrate Bastille Day each year in a BIG way - but now it lines up with my husbands birthday so that has all changed!

      Delete
  10. FoodJuly 8, 2014 at 4:41 PM

    Thanks for sharing. Welll speaking as an American, you did a really good job! I've never heard of carrot dogs before! I have the same crinkle cutter! The cake looks adorable.

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    1. SandyJuly 8, 2014 at 8:40 PM

      Ooooo thanks for your feedback! Pretty pleased to impress an American really lol. :-)

      Delete
  11. Joanne T FergusonJuly 8, 2014 at 7:22 PM

    G'day! How cute and Happy 4th of July!
    Thanks for this month's kitchen view also!
    Cheers! Joanne

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    1. SandyJuly 8, 2014 at 8:40 PM

      Thanks! :-) Glad you liked the sneak kitchen peak!

      Delete
  12. KariJuly 8, 2014 at 7:33 PM

    Your cake looks fantastic! I love the crinkle chips and the idea of carrot dogs too - never heard of them before!

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    1. SandyJuly 8, 2014 at 8:39 PM

      Thanks! You should try carrot dogs - they are delicious! :-)

      Delete
  13. Elizabeth ConnollyJuly 8, 2014 at 10:12 PM

    Fantastic recipes... I have heard of liquid smoke and have been wanting to try it with something so thanks for the inspiration! Liz x

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  14. celiaJuly 9, 2014 at 6:01 AM

    Carrot dogs? What a clever idea! And LOVE the look of your crinkle cut chips! Sounds like you had a fabulous 4th! :)

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  15. CathleenJuly 9, 2014 at 10:53 AM

    This cake sounds fantastic! I was actually on the plane on the 4th of july...but I'm in Canada so I don't really celebrate it. But I would love to try the cake anyways :)

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    Replies
    1. SandyJuly 17, 2014 at 11:02 AM

      The cake works as a fantastic basic cake for any occasion! We even enjoy it plain without any topping.

      Delete

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