January 2014 – Page 3

[Food Series] Mom’s King Cake – A Treasured New Orleans Tradition

Posted on January 17, 2014February 24, 2016 by Jennifer Fontaine

If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m from New Orleans and as most Crescent City natives are, I am extremely proud of my hometown! Tradition runs deep in my family and I strive to pass it down to our daughter along with my husband’s family traditions. And so, it is with pleasure that I introduce her (and you) to the King Cake!

Ingredients
16 oz of Sour Cream
1/3 cup Sugar
1/4 cup Butter
1 teaspoon Salt
2 envelopes (1/4 oz/each) Active Dry Yeast
1/2 cup warm Water (100° to 110°)
1 tablespoon Sugar
2 large Eggs, lightly beaten
6 to 6 1/2 cups bread flour*
1/3 cup Butter, softened
1/2 cup Sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon

Start by cooking the first 4 ingredients in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring often, until butter melts. Set that aside, and allow the mixture to cool to between 100° and 110°. Next, stir together the yeast, 1/2 cup warm water and 1 tablespoon sugar in a measuring cup; let it stand 5 minutes. Beat the sour cream mixture, yeast mixture, eggs and 2 cups flour at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until smooth. Reduce speed to low, and gradually add enough remaining flour (4 to 4 1/2 cups) until a soft dough forms. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes). Place in a well-greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 1 hour or until dough is doubled in bulk. Punch down dough, and divide in half. Roll each portion into a 22- x 12-inch rectangle. Spread 1/3 cup softened butter evenly on each rectangle, leaving a 1-inch border. Stir together 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon, and sprinkle evenly over butter on each rectangle. Roll up each dough rectangle, jelly-roll fashion, starting at 1 long side. Place one dough roll, seam side down, on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bring ends of roll together to form an oval ring, moistening and pinching edges together to seal. Repeat with second dough roll. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 20 to 30 minutes or until doubled in bulk. Bake at 375° for 14 to 16 minutes or until golden. Slightly cool cakes on pans on wire racks (about 10 minutes). Drizzle Creamy Glaze evenly over warm cakes; sprinkle with colored sugars, alternating colors and forming bands. Let cool completely.

Optional Cream Cheese-Filled King Cake: Prepare each 22- x 12-inch dough rectangle as directed. Omit 1/3 cup softened butter and 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon. Increase 1/2 cup sugar to 3/4 cup sugar. Beat 3/4 cup sugar; 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened; 1 large egg; and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly on each dough rectangle, leaving 1-inch borders. Proceed with recipe as directed. Enjoy with a little Dixieland Jazz or When the Saints Go Marching In!

[Wandering Wisdom Wednesday] Do Not Go Where the Path May Lead…

Posted on January 15, 2014February 24, 2016 by Jennifer Fontaine

Inspirational Quote - Ralph Waldo Emerson

6 Totally Free So-Cal Kid-Friendly Learning Excursions

Posted on January 14, 2014April 25, 2016 by Jennifer Fontaine

Growing up in a lower middle class household where my single mother worked two, sometimes three jobs and my grandmother played the role of father, really shaped who I am as a mother. I grew up shopping at the thrift store and at times we ate grits and eggs for dinner, but there was never a lack of love and laughter. I was never showered with unnecessary material things and I never wanted for anything. I learned that often the best things in life, like family and spending time together, are free and I try as much as possible to give those same ideals to our daughter.

From that childhood, blossomed a real respect for money and so I find it really hard to justify shelling out tons of money, when there are perfectly great FREE alternative outings all over Southern California! It requires a bit of planning and a bit of hunting, but those are two things that I love anyway. So, here are six of our favorite free things to do in Los Angeles when you’re looking for a great learning experience without a high sticker price!

The Page Museum at The La Brea Tar Pits

On the first Tuesday of every month (except for July and August), general admission to the Page Museum is FREE! They have all of the prehistoric animatronic dinosoars your kid could possibly want, not to mention over one million ice age fossils from 650 species and a fascinating fishbowl laboratory where you can watch the paleontologists clean, study and prepare fossils for exhibition!

Outside on the grounds are the tar pits where excavation takes place seven days a week and if you’re lucky enough, you might even catch a glimpse of them working. New discoveries are made every week, if not every day through their excavation program which dates back to the early 1900s. And if that doesn’t hold their attention, there are plenty of trees to climb and grass in which to play tag.

Travel Town

Travel Town admission is always FREE and they are open daily (except Christmas Day), Monday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm and Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. They have everything from locomotives to freight cars and cabooses and even passenger cars, perfect for the little ones to explore and let their imagination run wild.

There is also a little train ride if you want to spend a few bucks, fare is $2.75 per person and well worth the beaming smiles. Travel Town also has large grassy area to expel that ceaseless toddler energy, a huge picnic area and tons of free parking. Win, Win, Win! If your kid is anything like mine, you’ll be dragging them back to the car, kicking and screaming at closing time.

Noah’s Ark at The Skirball Cultural Museum

Every Thursday at The Skirball Cultural Museum admission is FREE to the public (check their site for holiday closures). Their Noah’s Ark Exhibit is a veritable Candyland for kids; a cultural explosion and a discovery zone almost impossible to uncover in one visit.

This exhibit is fulled to the brim with countless ways to connect with your little ones. At any given time, be prepared for an impromptu story time, a musical jam session, a puppet show, art time or just be amused by all of the other hands on learning stations. It’s a wonderland, indeed!