CAKE UPDATE

I REDID THE Lemon Ricotta Cake RECIPE. BASICALLY USED ABOUT 1/2 CUP COCOA DIVIDED AMONG THE BASE AND DRY INGREDIENTS OMITTING THE LEMON JUICE AND GRATED LEMON SKIN.. ALSO ADDED A FEW DARK CHOCOLATE CHIPS TO THE TOP.

SOME SHADOWS ON THE CAKE, NOT BURNT

THE RESULTS ARE A RICK DENSE CHOCOLATE CUSTARD LIKE BASE WITH A CRUNCHY SWEET CHOCOLATE TOP AND A CAKEY MIDDLE LAYER. COULD PASS FOR SUPER BROWNIE. VERY TASTY

IN THE GARDEN AND OTHER PICS

THIS YEAR AS WITH THE PAST , TOMATOES ARE BEING GROWN. 2 VARIETIES , MONTESINO F1 AND SAKURA F1 FROM HIGH MOWING ORGANIC SEEDS . TOTAL OF 6 PLANTS AND THIS YEAR WITH PVC TRELLIS. SOIL BASED. STARTED INDOORS

THE MONTESINO ARE SANTA TYPE RED GRAPE TOMATO FOR FRESH EATING. HIGH YIELDS OF 1/2 OZ FRUITS IN UNIFORMLY RIPE TRUSSES. (LOOK LIKE MINIATURE ROMAS) NEW VARIETY THIS YEAR.

SAKURAS ARE FRUITS OF .5 TO .8 OUNCES ARE FLAVORFUL, BRIGHT AND CRACK RESISTANT TO SOME ROOT KNOT NEMATODE. A REPEAT FROM LAST YEAR.

SOME OF THE TRUSSES

ONE OF THE TRUSSES HAD 27 BUDS !

SOME SCRAP PVC TUBING, WEED BLOCK FABRIC AND SOME BRICKS LYING ABOUT MADE THE TOMATO GARDEN IN THE YARD WHERE IT GETS SUN FOR ALL OF THE DAY

TRELLIS IS ABOUT 7 FEET IN HEIGHT, HAD TO ADD SOME STAKED OUT RIGGING TO PREVENTING IT FROM FALLING OVER.NOTE THE DATE TIME STAMP FOR GROWTH. ALSO I TRIM THE SUCKERS FOR MORE STRAIGHT UP GROWTH

SOME HEAVY COTTON STRING TIED TO THE TOP FOR THE PLANTS NOT CLOSE TO THE PVC.

BRIGHT RED COLOR AND FLAVOR TO MATCH

YIELD OF THIS DAY

SALAD TIME ! THIS IS WHY I DON’T GO WITH STORE BOUGHT TOMATOES ! ALSO FRESH BREAD PAN BUTTER FRIED CROUTONS ATE THE WAY TO GO!

EXCELLENT TOMATOES JUST COOKED IN A SKILLET ! WITH SHRIMP, GARLIC, ONION, KALE, AND COUSCOUS, EASY AND FAST ! YES I’M IN THE SHELLS AND TAILS ON CAMP WHEN IT COMES TO SHRIMP , THE SHELLS ENHANCE THE FLAVOR IMO.

TWICE A WEEK NUTRIENT REGIMENT

SOME OF THE LOCAL WILDLIFE, AND YES THE GARDEN TOAD ALSO MADE AN APPEARANCE

STROLLING THE VILLAGE

NICE FLOWERS ALONG THE SIDEWALK IN THE VILLAGE

THE VILLAGE PARK REST STOP

THANK FOR YOUR STOPPING BY MY BLOG, ENJOY THE SUMMER!

ON THE BENCH

WHATS BEEN ON THE BENCH LATELY ?

REPAIRS, PARTS AND ASSESSMENTS

MOSTLY PURCHASED USED, OR PARTS OR REPAIR STATUS, FOR REPAIR. CLEANING, REFURBISHMENT AND RESALE. OR PERSONAL USE. SOME ITEMS FROM OLD COLLECTION , DUST GATHERING AND PERSONAL EQUIPMENT . FOREVER NEVER ENDING COLLECTION. HOBBY , CRAFTING, ELECTRONICS, EDUCATION, WHY BUY NEW WHEN THERE’S A CRAP LOAD OF STUFF OUT THERE. BUY, REPAIR, USE, SELL AND REPEAT.

PANASONIC TAPE DECK , BELT REPLACEMENT, ALIGNMENTS, CLEANING ETC.

BEATS PILL ASSESSMENT AND TEAR DOWN , CLEANING ETC

PANASONIC TAPE DECK SHUTTER WHEEL BELT REPLACEMENT

ANCIENT LAPTOP TEAR DOWN CLEANING ASSESSMENT , VARTA BATTERY ONBOARD NEEDS REPLACEMENT,

PANASONIC TABLE TOP TUBE RADIO ASSESSMENT, CLEANING AND TUNING

WHAT THE INSIDE EQUIPMENT SEES

EXTERIOR CLEANUP AND MAINTENANCE , NICE WARM TONE TO THIS RADIO. FOR NOW AS IS DIDN’T GET INTO RECAPPING, ALL WORKING

CHEAP PLASTIC SPEAKER, BATTERY OPERATED AMP, IF IT SCREAMS “60’S” I’M IN !

WOW MINIATURE WOOFER AND TWEETER !

BREAK TIME !

OUR SQUAD DOESN’T HAVE ENOUGH FOR UNIFORMS YET

PARTS COMING IN

PAT 4 PRE-AMP CHECKOUT, PLASTIC ROCKER FROM ONE OF THE SWITCHES IS BROKEN, OTHER THAN THAT SEEMS TO BE FUNCTIONAL. SELLER NICE ENOUGH TO INCLUDE BROKEN PARTS FOR SIZING. DECENT CONDITION, NO MAJOR ISSUES FOR AGE. SOUGHT AFTER FOR THE AUDIOPHILES THAT PREFER COMPONENT SYSTEMS . ANALOG SOLID STATE. NO DIGITAL CONVERSIONS. INPUTS SET UP FOR DIFFERENT TURNTABLE CARTRIDGE TYPES SET UP. STILL SERVICEABLE EVEN UPGRADES AVAILABLE, STRONG FOLLOWING. OH ! MAYBE JUST PLAIN FUN !

WHAT IS IT ?, OOPS IT SAYS IT RIGHT ON THE BOARD

PARTS FOR THE PAT 4 ARRIVED , RATHER THAN BUY THE ORIGINAL REPLACEMENT SWITCH AT ASTRONOMICAL PRICE, FOUND SOME CHEAPIES WITH THE SAME TYPE PLASTIC ROCKER, THE SWITCH TYPE AND METAL BODY DOESN’T MAKE A DIFFERENCE, IT WONT BE USED, JUST THE PLASTIC PART.

THE PROBLEM ! THE ROCKER OF THE SWITCH BROKEN, SWITCH IS STILL OPERABLE .THEY ARE ACTUALLY SLIDE SWITCHES WITH A ROCKER COVER HINGED AT THE CENTER

CHEAPIE SWITCH AND THE ORIGINAL BROKEN ROCKER, DIRECT MATCH FOR THE BROKEN PLASTIC ROCKER

REMOVE (GUT OUT) THE PLASTIC ROCKER FROM REPLACEMENT DONOR AND DRIILL OUT CAREFULLY AND REMOVE THE RIVET AXLE OF THE ORIGINAL, REPLACE THE PLASTIC ROCKER AND REPLACE THE AXLE PIVOT PIN AND SOLDER OVER THE END WHERE DRILLED OUT. B I N G O ! THERE’S MORE WORK CAREFULLY DE SOLDERING , REMOVING AND SOLDERING IN THE SWITCH !

CLEANED UP POTS , SWITCHES, EXTERIOR ETC. ETC , IN SERVICE AT THE BENCH, SERVICED CASSETTE DECK BELOW.

RCA STEREO CASSETTE PLAYER, NEW BELTS, SOME RECAPPING ETC, FEED THROUGH CAPS TO MOTOR. EITHER BENT OR MISALIGNED CAPSTAN. A LOT OF WOW AND FLUTTER, TOO B AD

PARTS IN FOR GARRARD TURNTABLES, ONCE AND A WHILE A GOOD DEAL SHOWS UP FOR A CARTRIDGE AND HEAD SHELL. SOME OF THE GARRARD PARTS ARE PRICEY, OWNERS HOLD THEM CLOSE ! TIME IS ON YOUR SIDE FOR THE HUNT, IT MAY TAKE MONTHS OF SEARCHING FOR THAT ONE PART AT A PRICE THAT’S REASONABLE.

BEATS WIRELESS HEADPHONES IN FOR REPAIR AND ASSESSMENT. WANTED A SET FOR MYSELF AND ENDING UP STARTING A REPAIR SERIES FOR SALE AT A LATER DATE. GOT TIRED WITH THE QUALITY OF EARBUDS, AND THE NEED TO CONSTANTLY CLEAN THEM AND POKE THEM IN MY EARS. ONE PLUS IS THAT THE CORD FOR THE HEADPHONES ARE PLUG IN AND INEXPENSIVE REPLACEABLE. NOBODY MAKES THOSE 4 CONDUCTOR 5 MM CORDS WIRED FOR EARBUDS THAT LAST AND THE BRAND NAME ONES THAT ARE $30.00 TO START !

NOT ONLY ELECTRICAL ISSUES, SOME ABUSED AND BROKEN HINGE AND HEADBAND MECHANISMS TO REPAIR. SOME OF THE EAR CUSHIONS AND HEAD BAND CUSHIONS DON’T SURVIVE OVER THE YEARS

CHECKOUT AND TEAR DOWN

BATTERY ISSUES, REPLACEMENT BATTERIES ARE EXPENSIVE IF YOU BUY THE “KIT”. SOURCE THE BATTERY ONLY, BY SIZE, ORDER FROM CHINA. SOLDER THE ORIGINAL CHARGE BOARDS TO THE NEW BATTERIES, YOUR GOOD TO GO . GENERIC CHARGERS ARE LESS EXPENSIVE THAN THE “BEATS”. SAME FOR THE CORDS. ALSO SOMETIME ONLY ONE BATTERY NEEDS REPLACEMENT AS WITH THE BEATS PILLS THERE ARE TWO THAT CONNECT VIA A CHARGING BOARD.

REPAIRS ARE DONE AT YOUR OWN RISK , USE CAUTION WHEN WORKING WITH LIPO BATTERIES. OBSERVE SAFE PRACTICES WHEN WORKING AROUND LINE VOLTAGE AND VOLTAGE MULTIPLIERS.

Hitachi STEREO CASSETTE AND AM , FM RADIO ASSESSMENT

BELT AND IDLER RUBBER REPLACEMENT

CLEANUP , TUNING, A COUPLE OF DINGS TO IRON OUT OTHERWISE NICE RADIO SETUP AND PLAYS NOW “VINTAGE CASSETTES” ORIGINAL SOUND WITH THE ORIGINAL SPEAKERS. FOR NOW, STANDARD BENCH TOP RADIO TO LISTEN WHILE WORKING

MORE BROKEN BEATS HAVE ARRIVED

I WANTED TO STICK WITH JUST BEATS STUDIO MODELS, BUT THE SOLOS ARE INEXPENSIVE SOMETIMES. SOME OF THE BEATS LISTED AS “WIRELESS” ARE ONLY NOISE CANCELLING, NOT BLUETOOTH BEWARE AS WITH THE BEATS PILLS THE SELLERS ARE NOT ALWAYS ACCURATE AS THEY ARE JUST SELLING AND NO FAMILIAR WITH WHAT THEY HAVE, IT PAYS TO MESSAGE THEM TO CONFIRM. SOMETIMES IT CAN WORK IN YOUR FAVOR. COMB THE AUCTION SITES OFTEN, RESEARCH THE MODEL AND TYPES. LIMIT YOURSELF TO A PARTICULAR BRAND, BUY SOME PARTS ONLY UNITS AND TEAR DOWN FOR PRACTICE. YOU TUBE AND IFIX MAY HAVE INFORMATIONAL VIDEOS. IT’S A LEARNING EXPERIENCE!

ANALOG MULTIMETER FOR ASSESSMENT

CLEANUP OF MINOR BATTERY LEAKAGE, LUBRICATION,AND GENERAL CLEANUP, NICE WORKING METER FOR BENCH , PREFER OLD SCHOOL ANALOG METER FOR SOME REPAIRS , NEEDLE SWEEP SHOWS CHANGES NOT EVIDENT WITH DIGITAL METERS

CAPS FOR RECAPPING EQUIPMENT

THE RCA STEREO CASSETTE DECK, SOLD AS IS, ONE OF THE VU METERS WAS WORKING BUT FAILED, INTERNAL WIRE BROKEN, SHOWS THE FRAGILITY OF THESE OLD UNITS.

BEATS REPLACEMENT HEADBAND ARRIVED, TRIED A REPAIR FOR THE HEADBAND BUT DID NOT HOLD

REPLACED HEADBAND ,BACK IN SERVICE, COLOR NOT EXACT MATCH, BUT FOR OWN USE WORKS OUT WELL FOR A INEXPENSIVE BEATS BLUETOOTH WIRELESS. SIZE AND CUT EITHER OLD DRILL BITS OR SMALL BROKEN SCREWDRIVER SHAFTS TO USE AS HINGE PINS INSTEAD OF PRICEY REPLACEMENTS.

NEW EAR PADS IN , WORTH THE WAIT FROM CHINA, LESS EXPENSIVE

CROWN AMP FOR ASSESSMENT , PRETTY CLEAN INSIDE FOR IT’S AGE. A LOT APPEARING ON THE MARKET. COMMERCIALLY USED IN RACKS BY MULTIPLES FOR SOUND REINFORCEMENT . SOME ON THE AUCTION SITES LOOK LIKE PULLS. NOT MUCH TO LOOK AT BUT FAIRLY BULLET PROOF FOR THE HOME USER AND GOBS OF POWER. DECENT SECONDARY MARKET FOR TRADERS

BIG ASS CAPS AND MONSTER HEAT SINKS

MORE EAR PAD CUSHIONS REPLACEMENTS

IN GOOD CONDITION, BUT NEW REPLACEMENTS SHOWS THE OFF COLOR AGING (NEW LEFT, OLD RIGHT) CAMERA DOES NOT SHOW TRUE COLOR EITHER

SOME GENERIC MIC, EARPHONE CORDS, GOOD FOR EARPHONES FOR ZOOMING AND GAMING

NOSTALGIC “GAS PUMP” CASSETTE PLAYER AND RADIO. BELT REPLACEMENT AND ASSESSMENT. MINIMALIST PLAY ONLY CASSETTE MECHANISM

OLD SCHOOL LIGHTING ! INCANDESCENT BULBS STILL WORKING

THE WARM GLOW OF THE INCANDESCENT BULBS, ALSO HAS DIAL LIGHTS WHEN FUNCTIONING , CONSIDERING ADDING LEDS FOR MULTICOLOR DISPLAY . UPGRADE SOUND AND SPEAKER POSSIBLE , ADD BLUETOOTH ?

CUTE VERY JAPANESE STYLE “IDOG”. MIC PICKS UP AUDIO TO FLASH COLOR DISPLAY LEDS IN HEAD AND HAS SOME ANIMATRONIC MOVEMENTS, , ALSO CAN CONNECT AUDIO VIA CABLE. CLEAN WITH CUTESY TRAVEL BAG. IN NICE SHAPE FOR AGE. FROM THE ANYTHING TO CONNECT TO SMARTPHONE COLOR LED ERA

MORE BEATS IN FOR ASSESSMENT, HINGE BROKEN.

REPAIRED, REPLACED MISSING HINGE PINS , INTERIOR PLASTIC CLIP COVER BROKEN , ON ORDER, ANOTHER BLUETOOTH SET WORKING

REPLACE MISSING HOSE ON THE GAS PUMP, ORDERED BLACK RUBBER TUBING

SILVER BEATS, NOW PARTS , REMEMBER TO CHECK YOUR BENCH POWER SUPPLY THAT IT’S SET AT 5 VOLTS VDC NOT 12, FOR CHARGING , LIVE AND LEARN ! IF YOU DECIDE TO EXIT FROM YOUR MARKET OF BUYING SELLING REPAIRS, YOU CAN MARKET THE SPARE PARTS FOR SALE THAT AREN’T COMPLETE FUNCTIONING UNITS.

SO WHOSE TO SAY THERE’S NOTHING TO DO !!!!!!!

BE GOOD !

Lemon Ricotta Cake

had to try this recipe, the method is new the results different.

by the way you would think with the recent events I would be blogging more, well just the opposite. Still cooking and baking on a regular basis just not too many NEW recipes. Perhaps I should re title my blog to “the lazy blogger”

Also the recent events didn’t really change things (other than the fact I have to put up with paper products shortages and price gouging, some limited supplies and shipping constrains). For more than a few years our food and grocery shopping has been shifting to online purchasing and delivery for time savings and convenience.

.WHY ?

You still go to the store and shop ? How so 2010 ! I couldn’t be bothered!

Well we are now firmly Instacat rooted (along side Peapod) for fresh perishables, push a few buttons and your shopper does all the work, will even text you from the store if there’s a problem and bring the goods to your door of your air conditioned bunker (LOL) usually the same day within hours. More stores in our area have joined with this service, not without a few bugs but a definite improvement in a labor saving task.

OH ! on to the cake, gather up the ingredients. Also put 1 and 1/2 sticks of butter i the freezer and preheat oven to 350 degrees farenheit.

Ingredients :

• For the base:
• Butter or nonstick spray, for baking dish (I lined the dish with parchment paper)
• 8 eggs (yes, a lot of eggs)
• 1⅓ cups sugar
• 1 cup whole milk ricotta
• 4 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest plus ⅔ cup fresh lemon juice (from 3 lemons) or orange?
• ¼ cup heavy cream ( I used milk)
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• For the cake mix:
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• ⅔ cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¾ cup (1½ sticks) cold unsalted butter

Make the base: Whisk together eggs and sugar in a large bowl until evenly combined.

Add ricotta, lemon zest and juice, cream, flour, and salt and whisk to combine;

prepare baking dish

pour into prepared baking dish.

Make the cake mix: Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl

sprinkle evenly over the base.

Using the largest holes on a box grater, grate the butter evenly over the surface of the cake.

bake at 350 degrees, I used the convection oven so I didn’t heat up the kitchen with the gas oven.

looks like this when complete

the top looks like this, very crunchy for a cake , sort of like what you would find with a fruit crumble recipe. Didn’t get any pictures of the slices, has a custard like bottom very rich. Serves well cut into squares and plated for your dessert.

Now I’m going to see if this will convert to a chocolate cake , leaving out the citrus and adding cocoa to the mix perhaps some chocolate bits on the top?

link for original recipe https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/lemon-ricotta-cake