Lemon Curd Cake!

The recipe that won the contest on www.Grandparents.com, Lemon Curd Cake! Sounds spectacular! Looks tasty too….

Ingredients:
Curd:
1 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons freshly grated lemon zest
1 cup sugar
6 large eggs
1 cup butter, unsalted (cut into bits)
Cake:
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 egg yolks
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest
8 egg whites (at room temperature when ready to use)
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
Thin slices of lemon rind (for garnish)
1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar for dusting cake
Frosting:
3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 cups chilled whipping cream

Directions:
For the curd:
1. Whisk together lemon juice, zest, sugar, and eggs in 2-quart heavy saucepan. Stir in butter and cook over medium heat, whisking frequently, until curd is thick enough to hold marks of whisk and first bubbles appear on surface, about 10 minutes.

2. Transfer curd to bowl. Cover curd with plastic wrap touching surface and chill until cold (at least 1 hour).

Note: Yield should be a little over 2 1/2 cups curd. Use 3/4 cup for cake, 1 1/4 cups for frosting, and remainder goes between cake layers.

For the cake:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour four 9-inch cake pans; line bottoms with parchment paper.

2. Whisk cake flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. In separate bowl, without mixing, place egg yolks, oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and curd.

3. Combine egg whites and cream of tartar in another large bowl. With electric mixer, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining 1 cup sugar, beating just until stiff peaks form (avoid overbeating because it will make the cake dense and tough).

4. Add egg yolk mixture to dry ingredients. Using same beaters, beat egg yolk and dry ingredients mixture until smooth. Fold in egg whites in three additions.

5. Divide batter equally between prepared pans. Bake cakes 15 minutes, or until tester inserted into center comes out clean.

6. Cool cakes in pans on racks for 15 minutes. Turn cakes out onto racks, peel off parchment, and cool completely.

For the frosting:
1. Beat confectioners’ sugar and 1 1/4 cups lemon curd in large bowl just until blended.

2. Beat whipping cream in medium bowl until firm peaks form. Fold cream into curd mixture in three additions. Chill until firm, at least 4 hours.

To assemble cake:
1. Dust top of bottom cake layer lightly with confectioners’ sugar.

2. Spread light layer of curd on cake followed by layer of frosting. Repeat with remaining layers.

3. Spread frosting around sides of cake. Refrigerate cake after frosting to set layers in place (about 1 hour).

4. Top cake with thin slices of lemon (patted dry) for garnish if desired.

Serves 8

 VIA: http://www.grandparents.com/gp/content/food/recipes/article/recipe-lemon-curd-cake.html?clktrk=home_question_of_the_week-1

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Honda - Impossible Dream

Honda has launched the ”Impossible Dream” Commercial across Europe. Take a peek!

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The Top Green Cars Of 2010 via forbes

HONDA makes the list TWICE!

Here’s the 2010 Top 10 list:

No.1: Toyota Prius, 50 mpg combined

No. 2: Honda Insight Hybrid, 41 mpg combined

No. 3: Ford Fusion Hybrid, 39 mpg combined

No. 4: Volkswagen Golf TDI, 34 mpg combined

No. 5: MINI Cooper, 32 mpg combined

No. 6: Ford Escape Hybrid, 32 mpg combined

No. 7: Honda Fit, 31 mpg combined

No. 8: BMW 335d, 27 mpg combined

No. 9: Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 22 mpg combined

No. 10, the least fuel-efficient vehicle chosen, is the 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid.

Check out the full article; http://www.forbes.com/2010/04/22/honda-ford-toyota-technology-ecotech-green-cars.html

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6th Annual Oregon Garden Brewfest

This weekend! 6th Annual Oregon Garden Brewfest!

Thousands Expected to Enjoy Handcrafted Beers, Savory Food and Live Music at The Oregon Garden Pavilion

Silverton, OR - Dozens of breweries from throughout the West will descend on The Oregon Garden for the 6th annual Oregon Garden Brewfest on Friday, April 23 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday, April 24 from noon to 11 p.m.

The event will be held inside the garden’s J. Frank Schmidt Jr. Pavilion where attendees will enjoy flagship beers, seasonal beers, live music and hearty fare. The event’s $15 admission includes entrance to The Oregon Garden and to the Brewfest event, a commemorative beer mug, and tasting tickets. A two-day pass will also be available; details on the pass have yet to be announced.

Confirmed participating breweries thus far include Seven Brides Brewing, Thompson Brewery, Pale Horse Brewing, Calapooia Brewing, Ninkasi Brewing and Widmere Brothers Brewing. Many more will be announced soon. For event information, visit www.OregonGarden.org or call (503) 874-8100.

For those wishing to lodge overnight, the adjacent 103-room Oregon Garden Resort is offering a Brewfest Package. The $149 rate includes lodging and breakfast, Oregon Garden admission and Brewfest admission including two beer mugs, tasting tickets and two meal vouchers redeemable at the Oregon Garden Resort food booth. Reservations at The Oregon Garden Resort can be made online at http://www.moonstonehotels.com/Oregon-Garden-Resort.htm or by calling (800) 966-6490.

Brewfest will again offer live music on both Friday and Saturday will include a variety of styles ranging from blues to classic rock to bluegrass including such acts as blues artist Ty Curtis. Full entertainment schedule to be announced.

On-site parking is $5 (free for Oregon Garden members). There is free parking at Robert Frost School and Safeway with complimentary shuttle service provided by The Oregon Garden. Children and designated drivers will be admitted at no charge. Minors are only permitted in the presence of a parent or guardian on Saturday until 4 p.m.

Honors for “People’s Choice,” “Top Amateur Brewers” and “Editor’s Pick” by Beer Northwest magazine will be awarded throughout the weekend. Those interested in entering the amateur homebrewing contest are encouraged to contact the Capitol Brewers Club of Salem at (503) 375-9980. Judging for the amateur award takes place on April 11.

Individuals interested in volunteering at the Brewfest are encouraged to call The Oregon Garden at (503) 874-8100. “This event would not be possible without the more than 300 volunteers who dedicate their time, as well as our sponsors,” said April Purdy, manager of The Oregon Garden. “We are still looking for additional help.” Volunteers enjoy perks such as free admission, a festival t-shirt, mug and a meal voucher.

The Oregon Garden is an 80-acre botanical sanctuary that showcases the natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest with more than 20 individual themed gardens and related attractions. The Oregon Garden is located in the historic town of Silverton just 45 miles south of Portland.

 VIA: http://thefullpint.com/events/6th-annual-oregon-garden-brewfest

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Spring Home Tips!

Thanks to Arivian Financial Group for sharing these great tips with us at Dick Hannah Honda!

  • Replace your furnace Filter
  • Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter
  • Always have a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible
  • Make sure the light bulbs in all your fixtures are the correct wattage
  • Review your fire escape plan with your family
  • Protect all your electrical appliances from power surges and lightning
  • Have a professional air conditioning contractor inspect and maintain your system as recommended by the manufacturer
  • Check for damage to your roof
  • Repair all cracked, broken or uneven driveways and walks to help provide a level walking surface
  • Check all the fascia and trim for deterioration
  • Check your water heater
  • Check the shutoff valve at each plumbing fixture to make sure they function
  • Clean clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper, and space under the dryer
  • Replace all extension cords that have become brittle, worn or damaged
  • Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

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Trip To The Oregon Zoo

My family and I went to the Oregon Zoo and had a great time. I haven’t been there in years and it’s just as much fun as it was back then. It’s great for all ages and it’s something fun to do outdoors after a long winter. My favorite animal this time was the Otter. They swam right next to the glass where I was standing. Which was really cool to see an animal up that close. My least favorite animal was the giant Anaconda they have there… I took one look at it and left that part of the zoo. I do not like any snakes. Here is the web site you can check out for more information. I am defiantly sharing my time spent at the Oregon Zoo with all my co-workers at Dick Hannah Honda.

http://www.oregonzoo.org/

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Honda HSV-010 Race Car

According to a new report by the reputable German outlet Autobild, Honda will resurrect the NSX after all. That’s right, the article suggests Honda will put its HSV-010 GT race car into production in 2011. The car’s track would be reduced some, with minimal changes to the bodywork and the absence of a GT-car wing. As for power, it will come from a 500-ish horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine rather than the race car’s 3.4-liter racing unit.

Honda has promised the return of the NSX several times and repeatedly reneged on its word, so we’re not getting too excited. But if you want to get all hot and bothered about the possibility, we have two bits of info to help. First up, Honda most likely built the race car with the plan to bring it to production, testing it on the track first – which it has now done. Second, with that plan in place, it’s likely that one of the main contributing factors to Honda’s decision to cancel the road car was the economic downturn. And with the economy now starting to turn a corner, well, Honda is thinking there’s not only a market for the car, but that it now has the means to move forward with the project.

Honda hasn’t confirmed any of this yet (obviously), but we can dream.

via Report: Honda HSV-010 Race Car Headed to Production Next Year : Auto News. http://bit.ly/baxMMd

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Honda’s Asimo conducts Detroit Symphony Orchestra!

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Priceless Animal Video!

Hilarious!! Talking Animals from BBC One!

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Another amazing day on the trail….

There is a much to be said about the abundance of walking trails here in Clark County, with over 25+. I first discovered the trails while trying to lose 100 lbs just over a year ago. Dick Hannah Honda is located less than a mile from the Burnt Bridge Creek Trail it’s one of the best trails in the city it’s over 8 miles long with wetlands along the way more than 19,000 trees and shrubs planted giving the trail a plush canopy or greenery. I love to run the Clark county trails at least 3 times a week there nothing better than running with nature. If you not a runner your can always walk or a much better way of exploring the trails is to hop on your bike and why not bring the whole family. My boys can’t wait for the summer they know it will be filled with days of longs rides on the trail feeding the ducks in the wetlands, picking fruit off trees and just having good quality family time. You can view and or print your walking guide at http://www.clarkcommunitychoices.org/walkaround_guide/index.htm or pick one up at Firstenburg or Marshall community center. You can also come see Nora at Dick Hannah Honda to pick up your walking guide.

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