A little while ago, as I was perusing the vast bulk section of the Co-op in Eureka, CA, I decided to buy half a small paper bag of mixed tropical dried fruit, without having the slightest idea about what to do with it. The other day, as I was trying to make sense of my cupboard organizing rationale (I have none and therefore I have difficulty finding what I need when I need it), I found the paper bag with my impulsive purchase and decided I had to use it. I also decided it was time to use the ring bottom of the 10" springform pan that had been sitting in its box since its arrival in my kitchen, which means I decided to make a ciambella, a ring cake. Besides the tropical dried fruit mentioned above, the ciambella would include the Greek yogurt I had in the fridge and at least an orange (arancia). A bit of nomenclature before I move on: orange, the fruit, is arancia, plural arance; orange, the tree, is arancio, plural aranci.
Ciambelle are usually simple home-made cakes that make a great merenda (afternoon snack) for children. Before I describe my ciambella, I need to let you know that non tutte le ciambelle riescono col buco. This Italian proverb lets you know that not all ring cakes come out hollow in the middle, or, to be a bit less literal, not everything turns out as expected. I don't know how this proverb originated. I imagine that ring molds were not always available to bakers. Now, however, they are, which means you are guaranteed to get a ciambella col buco. You don't need to worry about the shape of what you are about to bake and can focus your energy and attention on its flavor.
Serendipitously, one of the many bookmarks (segnalibri) that give to my copy of "Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone" by Deborah Madison a look of much-used book (libro), which it is, is stationed on a page with the recipe for Orange and Dried Fruit Coffee Cake. Using some of the indications of that recipe and applying the predefined requirements described above, plus some other ideas I had, I came up with a ciambella all'arancia that, secondo me (in my opinion), is very good.
Ingredients:
- a stick of unsalted butter, softened
- la buccia grattugiata e il succo di un'arancia piuttosto grossa (grated zest and juice of a large orange: I recommend to use an organic orange)
- half a cup of white sugar
- due uova a temperatura ambiente (two eggs at room temperature: I used extra-large ones)
- un pizzico di sale (a pinch of salt)
- a teaspoon of baking powder
- a teaspoon of baking soda
- two cups of regular unbleached flour
- a quarter cup of whole-wheat pastry flour
- a cup of non-fat Greek-style yogurt
- 3/4 cup of chopped tropical dried fruit with some non-crystallized candied ginger mixed in
- 1/4 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
- half a cup of chopped pecans
Preheat the oven to 350 F and spray with olive oil a 10" springform pan with ring bottom or 10" ring pan. Cream butter with orange zest and sugar, then add the eggs and beat. Stir in the juice, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Add the sifted flours and the yogurt and mix until just combined. Fold in the dried fruit, chocolate chips and chopped pecans. Spoon into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, 45 minutes or so (oven-dependent).
What I like about this ciambella is that each ingredient maintains its personality and its flavor comes out clean and clear. Each bite is different, depending on the combination of ingredients it includes: sometimes the chocolate chips prevail and your mouth has that delicious chocolate and orange pairing that is irresistible; sometimes the ginger makes its zingy presence felt; at other times the pecans insert their crunchiness. And the mix of tropical fruit makes you feel like you are idling on a beach, somewhere, under a warm sun. Basically, eating una fetta (a slice) of this ciambella is like being on vacation.
This is my contribution to Fresh Produce of the Month, an event organized by Marta of An Italian in the US. As you can imagine, Marta and I have something in common. We first met in the food blogosphere, then in person and recently shared a delicious meal, the first, I hope, of many.
Click on the button to hear me pronounce the Italian words mentioned in the post:
or launch the ciambella all'arancia audio file [mp3].
[Depending on your set-up, the audio file will be played within the browser or by your mp3 player application. Please, contact me if you encounter any problems.]
Hi Simona - Yum! I am not a baker but this post makes we want to go bake a fruity cake. Maybe one day, I will make my Late Great Aunt Edna's Lemon Cake...you are inspiring me.
Posted by: Lori Lynn | February 27, 2008 at 08:18 AM
That Deborah Madison book is a real treasure - mine is stained and well-loved, too.
Stuffed with many of my favourite treats, this is...
Posted by: Lucy | February 27, 2008 at 01:50 PM
I love your orange cake.
btw, I'm thinking of what to bring to your novel food event ;)
Posted by: Maryann | February 27, 2008 at 02:33 PM
Lori Lynn, I hope you will make that cake: the name sounds appealing.
It took me a while to get into it, Lucy, but now it's the cookbook I use most often.
Thanks Maryann. I am sure you will come up with something interesting and fun. I already have something planned for your event ;)
Posted by: Simona Carini | February 27, 2008 at 08:27 PM
Ciao!!! Grazie mille!!
This sounds so delicious! So when am I getting to try a slice in person? :)
Thanks a lot for taking part to the event with such a great entry :)
Posted by: Marta | February 27, 2008 at 10:51 PM
isn't deborah madison outstanding? i have her soups book and love it. the cake looks delicious.
Posted by: bee | February 28, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Oh! Your cake looks really gorgeous. I wish I could have a slice right now. So golden and wonderful.
And I really love the proverb!
Posted by: Lisa | February 28, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Prego, Marta, piacere mio. I am sure you'll get to try this cake or some other creation pretty soon.
She is, bee. Every time I go through that book I find something great to make.
Hi Lisa: the golden color is indeed quite nice.
Posted by: Simona Carini | February 28, 2008 at 10:13 PM
This is indeed a delicious cake and would be perfect with an afternoon cup of tea. Right now I wish I'd taken you up on your offer, Simona! ;)
Posted by: Christine | February 29, 2008 at 03:33 PM
I am sure there will be a next time, Christine.
Posted by: Simona Carini | March 02, 2008 at 04:07 PM