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Monday, February 11, 2013

What's Cooking? The Smell of Ginger

A delightful aroma, wafting down the stairs from the kitchen (yes, my kitchen is on the second floor), draws my attention away from whatever it is I was doing the moment before. Despite being very decidedly a warm weather crop, ginger often evokes a sense of comfort and well-being most desired during the cold winter months. Gingerbread and gingermen appear in great numbers during the winter holidays. Ginger tea is a staple warm beverage, and ginger ale can cure any upset stomach. It was at one of those holiday parties where I first came across (a veganized version of) David Lebovitz's fresh ginger cake. Perhaps love at first bite, the spicy-sweet and amazingly fluffy cake has almost haunted me. So, I recently took a stab at baking it myself, and yesterday concocted a gluten-free version. It's a little crumbly, but still quite moist and tasty.

Fresh Ginger Cake (adapted from David Lebovitz)
1/2 cup fresh ginger, grated
1/4 cup blackstrap molasses
1/2 cup sugar 
1/4 cup agave
2/3 cup oil 
1/2 cup water
2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup: millet, brown rice, buckwheat, tapioca, and almond flours
3 tbs garbanzo flours
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp all spice
1/4 tsp ground cloves
sprinkle powdered ginger
dash black pepper
1 tbs apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup crystalized ginger, chopped (optional)

1. Combine molasses, sugar, agave, and oil in a large bowl. In a small saucepan, bring water to bowl and then add baking soda. Pour water into bowl and whisk until combined; mix in ginger. 

2. Sift in flours and spices, using a large spoon to incorporate all dry ingredients. Add in vinegar and optional candied ginger. 

3. Pour batter into 6 large muffin cups (or a small pan, greased and floured). Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes, until top is set and a knife comes out clean. Allow to cool completely...and then enjoy!

Check out more goodies at Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays.

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