Lavendar-infused Rhubarb and Almond Torte and 2nd Wedding Anniversary

From An Opera Singer in the Kitchen

After a great 4 day anniversary trip with my husband, we have returned to reality. Not so depressing though. There is always something nice about returning to the normality of everyday living, especially when laundry is awaiting you in the basement, ha!


Our acutal anniversary is May 17th, but we knew that it did not fall during a weekend so we decided to celebrate it early. Ryan planned the whole trip and did VERY well. We visited Ohio for the first time and learned more about 3 late Presidents' home and enjoyed the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well!

It is incredible how 2 years go by but they have been super fun and amazing! God has been great in our lives and we have been blessed. We glorify His name and thank Him everyday for bringing us together. Here are a few memories of our wedding day:

This was our wedding cake and grooms cake all in one. The white cake was filled with apricot preserves mixed with brandy and buttercream. So delicious. The chocolate was dark chocolate with raspberry preserves.

How fun to see pictures of our great memories! We had a great time and we look forward watching our video later in the evening.

Now let's get to a great dessert I created this past week before we left on our trip. I had purchased some rhubarb at the Farmer's Market and knew I had to make something different other than my normal strawberry-rhubarb desserts so I came up with a fresh and almost completely raw dessert that was very light and gourmet.

It was my first time to use a spring-form pan to prepare a raw dessert and was very nervous about how this dessert would turn out. I like taking risks, what can I say? Can I just say that my kitchen looks like a complete mess after creating something that I have had in mind for a while? I feel like a mad scientist trying to test these flavors together. It is fun!

From An Opera Singer in the Kitchen

This dessert reminded of a cross between a cheesecake and a torte. The "cream cheese" portion is made of soaked almonds and coconut milk with agave, nutmeg and orange rind. Yum!

The graham cracker section is substituted for soaked raw almonds and dates. Lovely! I then created a nice 2 layer mixing rhubarb, palm sugar, boiling it with a little water and a sachet filled with lavendar with some nutmeg for added spice. I used palm sugar because it has a low glycemic rate and I wanted a particular flavor.

After it was boiled I added agar agar flakes and 1 Tbsp of arrowroot to bring the mixture together. It then went into the refrigerator for the congealing process and presto a nice torte came to be. Hope you feel inspired to try the recipe!

From An Opera Singer in the Kitchen

Lavendar-infused Rhubarb and Almond Torte


serves 20


Preparation time-30 to 45 minutes
Assembly-5 minutes
Refrigeration-2 hours


Ingredients


Crust
1 cup dates
1 cup raw almonds


1st layer
2 cups blanched almonds
2 tsp almond extract
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp orange zest
1/3 cup agave nectar
1/2 cup So Delicious coconut milk


2nd layer
4 rhubarb stalks, (aprox. 2 1/4 cups), chopped
1/2 cup water
1 1/4 cups palm sugar
2 tsp lavendar, dried
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 Tbsp arrowroot powder
2 Tbsp agar agar flakes


You will need a 9-inch spring-form pan. Spray with coconut non-stick spray.


Preparation


Crust


Soak almonds and dates in  distilled WATER for 2 hours. The water should cover the almonds and dates. After 2 hours, blend almonds and dates with 2 Tbsp of the reserved liquid in a food processor. Mixture should be a little coarse.


Remove from processor and add mixture to the bottom of pan. Press evenly on the pan.




1st layer


Soak and cover almonds for 4 to 6 hours in distilled water . The more the merrier so that the almond will not be too mealy. Drain liquid and process in a food processor. Add almond extract, nutmeg, coconut milk, orange zest and agave. Process until very smooth.


Pour mixture on top of the raw crust. Place in freezer while preparing the rhubarb portion.




2nd layer



Chop the rhubarb stalks and place in the food processor. Blend well.


In a medium pot, add rhubarb sauce, water, nutmeg and palm sugar. Using an empty tea bag or cheese cloth, add lavendar. Place sachet in with rhubarb mixture.


Boil on medium low heat for 20 minutes. Mix arrowroot powder with 1 Tbsp of water in a small bowl and mix well. Add to rhubarb mixture along with the agar agar. Blend well. Remove from heat for 5-10 minutes.


Remove spring-form pan from freezer and pour rhubarb mixture on top of 1st layer.


Place in refrigerator and cool for 2 hours. Ready to serve. Decorate with sliced almonds. Remove spring from pan and place torte on a large plate. Slice and eat. Refrigerate the remainder for up to a week.

From An Opera Singer in the Kitchen