Carrot Ring
1 T. vegetable oil
1/4 C. fine dried bread crumbs
4 large eggs, separated
3/4 lb. plus 2 T. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 C. sugar
3/4 lb. carrots, grated ( about 3 C.)
2 T. milk
2 T. fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 t. salt
2 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
2 C. bleached all-purpose flour
2 medium-size carrots, boiled in water until fork-tender, drained, peeled, and
cut into small dice
pearl onions boiled as above (optional)
1 lb. English (sweet) peas (fresh or frozen), Blanched in boiling water for 2
minutes and drained
1/2 t. freshly ground black pepper
Preheat the oven to 350�F. Grease a 10-inch Bundt or tube pan with the vegetable
oil. Dust the bottom and sides of the pan evenly with bread crumbs.
With an electric mixer in a medium-size mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until
stiff peaks form. Set aside.
With the mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, in a large mixing bowl, cream
3/4 pound (3 sticks) of the butter and the sugar together. Add the egg yolks one
at time, beating after each addition. Add carrots, milk, and lemon juice and
beat until well mixed. Add 1 teaspoon of the salt, the baking powder, baking
soda, and flour and beat again until well mixed. Fold in the beaten egg whites
until no white streaks remain and pour into the prepared pan.
Bake until golden brown and the top springs back when touched, about one hour.
Remove from the oven and let cool for about 5 minutes. With a thin knife, loosen
the sides of the cake and remove it from the pan, turning it, bottom side up,
onto a serving platter.
Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add
the mirliton and peas, season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and black
pepper, and cook for 5 minutes.
Spoon the mixture into the hole of the carrot ring. Slice the ring and serve
with the vegetables.