California Grown is about connecting consumers with the dedicated people who grow and produce their food. It really is that simple. Farmers have a lot of stories to tell and want to welcome you into their fields so you can really understand where your food comes from – and how important you are to the process. You may not think of farmers every time you’re in the grocery store or market, but they think about you every day. From employing food safety measures that keep your food reliable, to growing varieties they know you will appreciate, and developing creative new packaging solutions that will help get lunch or dinner on the table faster – these details dominate the mind of the farmer.
This Pistachio and Moscato Bundt Cake recipe from California Grown’s blogger in residence Meg van der Kruik is unlike any other Bundt cake recipe that you have ever tried. In fact, this just might be the easiest cake recipe you have ever baked. Simply chop, mix, and bake. No need to ice this cake either; you can decorate and serve it with your favorite seasonal fruits and cut flowers. While some cakes require icing or some kind of sweet drizzle before serving, this one does not. The pistachio pudding mix in the batter keeps the cake moist for days without needing any help. Meg’s work has been featured in The Huffington Post, Cosmopolitan, the Kitchn, Buzzfeed, and Better Homes & Gardens where she is a “BH&G Stylemaker.”
The function of wine in cooking is to intensify, enhance, and accent the flavor and aroma of food – not to mask the flavor of what you are cooking. So, in the case of this cake the Moscato in the batter is noticeable upon the first bite, but it immediately fades and allows the flavor of pistachio to take the lead – leaving you with a flavor profile that is perfectly balanced on the palate.
According to Discover California Wines, the name of this wine comes from the Italian name of the tangy, fruity Muscat grape – Moscato. Muscat comes in a range of styles, from medium-bodied and dry or off-dry, to sparkling, full-bodied, late-harvest, and deliciously sweet. Pair this cake with an effervescent glass of sparkling rose or your favorite sparkling wine from California. In the warm summer months, serve slices of this cake with fresh stone fruit and citrus. But fresh berries would be a delicious accompaniment to a slice of cake, too. Various fresh and dried citrus wheels and wedges make for a stunning display.
Finding wine from California should be easy, with over 3,900 wineries supplying 61 percent of the country’s wine, California wine should be readily available and the origin displayed clearly on the label. There are over 100 grape varieties grown in California, from Zinfandel to Chardonnay to Pinot Noir.
Look for CA GROWN indicators. Legislation passed in 2009 mandating that stores are required to display the country of origin for produce. Look for a shelf card, if you can’t find CA GROWN, look for Grown in the USA. California grows over 400 different crops, from berries, to lettuce, grapes, sweet potatoes and more, if it was grown in the U.S., there’s a good chance it was grown in the Golden State.
