Spring Fling Recipes

Steps:

• Put the gin, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, Simple Syrup, Chartreuse and orange bitters in a cocktail shaker, add large ice and shake vigorously. Double-strain into a Nick and Nora glass (or other cocktail glass) and garnish with a grapefruit peel twist.
• Combine the sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. Keep covered in the refrigerator up to 1 month.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Grease and flour a 10 inch cake pan.
• Cake: In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded zucchini, eggs, sugar, oil, sour cream, and vanilla.
• Combine the DRY ingredients in another bowl; then add to zucchini mixture.
• Batter will be rather wet and easy to pour. Pour batter into prepared cake pan and bake for 50-70 minutes.
• Cool on rack 10 minutes, then remove cake from pan. (Note: The cake can be made a day prior and refrigerated).
• Frosting: Whip cream cheese with butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until combined.
• In another bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff, then fold the whipped cream and 1/2 t vanilla into the frosting mixture.
• Assemble Cake: Cut cooled cake in half lengthwise (creating two layers). You can cut the cake into three layers, like they do at The Market.
• Spread frosting over the first layer, add a layer of fruit (repeat if you are making a three-layer cake).
• Put on the top layer and frost. The sides of the cake are NOT frosted.
• Arrange fruit in circles (or your preferred design) over entire top of the cake, slightly overlapping the fruit. Spread apricot glaze over fruit with a pastry brush.

Steps:

• In large skillet, over medium high heat, heat oil and cook onions until soft. Add garlic, tomatoes, salt and pepper and cook about 8 minutes or until tomatoes have broken down.
• Add artichokes, olives and basil and cook until heated through.
• In meantime in large pot of boiling, salted water cook pasta until al dente, drain and place on large serving platter.
• Top with tomato mixture, sprinkle with parmesan cheese if desired and serve.