18 Sep Power Food: Simple Elderflower Lemon Cake

This week’s Power Food is Lemons! Now that summer is coming to a close the cooler days are ahead, luckily it’s still hot out though. No other fruit pairs with hot days like Lemons! Lemons are believed to be a hybrid between a sour orange and a citron. The lemon is an evergreen tree, it blooms a white flower and produces fruit all year round. Each tree can produce between 500 and 600 pounds of lemons a year.

Lemon juice is the main ingredient of lemonade. The sour taste of the juice also makes it ideal for squeezing on fish, while slices of lemon or lemon rinds are used as a garnish for many other foods and drinks. Due to its high acidic nature, the juice of a lemon can be used for cleaning. Lemon halves dipped in salt or baking powder can be used to brighten up copper and clean kitchenware.

Health Benefits of Lemons

Lemons rank very close to oranges in vitamin C content. So if you’re choosing between flavoring your food with lemon or orange peel, or adding lemon or orange juice to a dish, you can’t go wrong with either one. But in some ways comparing lemons to oranges is, well, like comparing apples to oranges – because you’re not likely to eat the two fruits in the same way.

Vitamin C is important for keeping body tissues, such as gums, bones, and blood vessels in good shape. C is also key if you get a cut or wound because it helps you heal. This vitamin also helps your body resist infection. This means that even though you can’t always avoid getting sick, vitamin C makes it a little harder for your body to become infected with an illness. Historically, vitamin C was used for preventing and treating scurvy. These days, vitamin C is used most often for preventing and treating the common cold.  Even today, the British Navy requires ships to carry enough lemons so that every sailor can have one ounce of juice a day.

Lemons are the Power Food of Healing Powers, for their help in keeping body tissues in good shape!

Flavorsome Elderflower Lemon Cake

Our friends at Juice Plus shared with us this delectable recipe for a Simple Elderflower Lemon Cake with Elderflower Whipped Cream!

This specific recipe makes 1 (9×5-inch) loaf.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces unsalted butter, softened, plus more for greasing the pan
• 8 ounces superfine sugar
• Zest of 2 lemons (about 2 tablespoons)
• 4 large eggs
• 9 ounces all-purpose flour (2 cups)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt

For the syrup:

•                 1/4 cup elderflower cordial or liqueur
•                 Juice of 1/2 lemon (about 1 tablespoon)For the elderflower whipped cream:
•                 1/2 cup cold heavy cream
•                 1 tablespoon elderflower cordial or liqueur
•                 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (if using liqueur)

Make the cake:

1. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 325°F. Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (alternatively, use an electric hand mixer and large bowl), cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until very pale and fluffy. Mix in the lemon zest.
3. In a small bowl, beat the eggs together. Gradually add the eggs to the butter and sugar mixture (about 1 teaspoon at a time), beating well after each addition. It may take up to 5 minutes to slowly and completely incorporate the eggs.
4. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. Sift a quarter of the flour mixture into the bowl and gently fold with a spatula. Repeat until all the flour is incorporated.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake in the oven until a tester comes out clean, about 60 to 70 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool, in the pan, on a cooling rack for 10 minutes.

Make the whipped cream:

1. Combine heavy cream, elderflower cordial or liqueur, and sugar (if using liqueur) in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. (Alternatively, use an electric hand mixer and large bowl).
2. Beat on medium-high speed to stiff peaks.
3. Slice the cake and top with a dollop of the elderflower whipped cream.

Do you or your children struggle to eat the recommended 7-13 servings of fruits, vegetables, and berries every day? Do you struggle with getting healthy breakfasts or lunches in your families bodies? Well, we now have a solution for you. We have partnered with Juice Plus+, a whole food supplement, that is packed full of 25 different fruits, vegetables, and berries in a convenient soft chew or capsule. In addition, they have a delicious vegan dairy free protein shake and protein bars for quick meals on the go. Recommended by thousands of physicians, including Dr. William Sears and also backed by 38 Peer Reviewed, Medical Journaled Clinical Studies Juice Plus+ is efficacious and bioavailable.  Juice Plus+ helps build strong immune systems, establishes better food cravings, improves cardiovascular wellness and truly makes a difference in the bodies overall health. For more information on its many benefits check out the website: www.amazingathletes.juiceplus.com.