about bliss

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

twd: coconut tea cake


I'm in a Southern frame of mind.

This time of year, as Spring comes so achingly slowly, I miss the Southland in the Springtime, to quote the Indigo Girls. Green and blossom and sunshine and warmth arrive earlier, unlike the Midwestern come hither, play hard to get dance.

I'm reading the Oxford American Food Issue and missing Southern foodways...(If you don't know this magazine, please check it out. Superb writing, engaging stories. It is my mother's goal that I will one day be published in its august pages.)

And, after an epic conversation with one of my dear, Southern grad school friends, I long to host a tea party on my screened in porch as I did many Springs in Auburn.

Alas.

This week's selection, a simple coconut tea cake would be the perfect sweet treat to end a tea party of cucumber sandwiches and champagne punch.

The cake, which I made a half recipe in a loaf pan, is moist, dense, and redolent of sweet coconut, in both shredded (sweetened, untoasted) and milk (lite) forms. I made Dorie's lemon variation, and the slight citrus tang contrasts with the sweetness of the cake.

As I nosh the coveted end piece and sip a mug of Chunmee green tea, I think of S, K, S, and J. I think of our wide ranging discussions of literature, life, and love. Mostly, I think of the distinctive sound of each woman's laughter.

And through my missing, I smile.

There's something about the Southland in the Springtime, and all year long.

Thank you, Carmen, of Carmen Cooks, for selecting this delicious, simple, and satisfying recipe.

12 comments:

  1. you had me at coconut tea cake!! seriously, hello!! this looks fabby! hugs!!

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  2. Looks moist and delicious. I loved this one. Definitely a keeper.

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  3. Your cake looks so good. I also loved this recipe. I'll make it time and time again :-)

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  4. The cake looks great, but I just love reading your posts! So fabulous.

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  5. Anonymous7:57 AM

    Your cake looks so moist and wonderful! Thanks for baking with me this week. :)

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  6. Anonymous8:41 AM

    Looks delicious! This had me thinking of spring too.

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  7. Yummy! This would be lovely with a cup of tea.

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  8. I agree with you that the coconut cake would be a perfect treat for a tea party! I hope you get to have one soon! Im glad you liked the cake, it looks great!

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  9. That sounds heavenly! I wonder how hard it would be to veganize it...

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  10. yes. looks perfect for a tea party. and dang, a cucumber sandwich sounds good right now.

    glad you liked the cake. I'm making mine today for Eater. Hope it turns outs.

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  11. Aren't loaves just wonderful... so much less formal than a bundt. I made this weeks mocha as loaves. They're so homey and "I'll have another slice"-like. This looks like a perfect tea cake - here's to an August article in the future!

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  12. Oh, Jessica, this cake would be the perfect accompaniment to those good times! It's beautiful here now but the pollen is everywhere.

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