Regard it just as desirable to build a chicken house as it is to build a cathedral.
—Frank Lloyd Wright
I took the first step today and have decided to come clean. To say I am embarrassed, ashamed and proud all at the same time would not go too far. There will be no more sneaking on Pinterest late at night to catch a glimpse of the forbidden fruit… Google searches a thing of the past. I’m a new woman. Ready to face my addiction head on with no fear.
You see, I woke up with chickens on my mind yet again this morning. Day and night these cute little feathery creatures, with antics that could make me double over in laughter, are my obsession. Today the light bulb finally came on. I see a little clearer now and I must admit it. I have a problem.
I have begged, cried, and cajoled my poor husband to no end (with no success I might add), to bend the rules of our little community and build me a chicken coop to house a few of these little feathered friends. Unfortunately, where we live, even though the land is plentiful, there is a strict association code; no chickens allowed. The rule is archaic, biased, and just plain silly; but a rule nonetheless. I must either give up this pipe dream, head over to Chickens Anonymous or take action.
So, today the buck stops here (or chickens, because bucks, elk, and wild turkeys are okay with our association). I can no longer sit idly by and allow this injustice to continue. It is time to marshal a few forces and set about to change this silly rule. Stay tuned. I do have a problem…time to fix it!
Today’s featured recipe is a Strawberry Rhubarb Upside Down cake. I searched high and low for a recipe that would pair these two Spring fruits and came up short every time. I wanted to bake something that would bring out the sweet and tart elements without overpowering either one. Most recipes called for way too much sugar, so I decided to put on my creative thinking cap and loved how this one came out. Hope you do too!
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, divided, room temperature
- 1 pound rhubarb, trimmed and cut diagonally about ½ inch thick
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, stems removed and cut in half
- 1½ cups raw sugar, divided
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1½ tsp sea salt
- Zest from ½ lemon
- Juice from ½ lemon
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup Buttermilk
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Butter two 9 inch round cake pans.
- Dot each pan with 4 tablespoons butter (cut into pieces).
- Toss rhubarb with ½ cup sugar; let stand for several minutes. Toss again, and spread evenly between the two cake pans.
- Place strawberry halves between rhubarb, cut side up, dividing evenly between the two cake pans.
- Once rhubarb and strawberries are prepared, make cake batter.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and 1½ teaspoons salt in medium size bowl and set aside.
- Beat remaining stick of butter and 1 cup sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy.
- Add lemon juice and zest, beat well.
- Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, until incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl.
- Add flour mixture a little at a time, alternating with buttermilk, beating until smooth. Spread evenly over rhubarb, dividing evenly between the two pans.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.
- Remove cakes from oven and cool on wire rack for 10 minutes. Invert cakes onto plates, being careful of the hot rhubarb topping. Don't wait until cake is entirely cooled as rhubarb mixture will stick.
- Optional: once cakes are cooled, cake may be wrapped and frozen.
Inspiration from Martha Stewarts Rhubarb Upside Down Cake
Strawberry Rhubarb Upside Down Cake Recipe was shared with:
The Cookie Puzzle: Party in Your PJ’s
Juggling Real Food and Real Life: Let’s Get Real
Le Moine Family Kitchen: The Wednesday Roundup
Happy and Blessed Home: Family Fun Friday
The 21st Century Housewife: Heart and Soul Thursday Blog Hop
Living Well, Spending Less: Thrifty Thursday
Make Ahead Meals for busy Moms: Melt in Your Mouth Monday
Yes, do keep us informed about the chicken situation! In the meantime, your Rhubarb Upside Down Cake looks so delicious and Spring-tastic! I LOVE to bake with buttermilk! ♥ Pinned!
Joy @ Yesterfood recently posted…Treasure Box Tuesday 21
I am happy to report the chicken situation is continuing to improve. Our best friends on the ranch have decided to bend the rules a bit (they are not as big of sticklers as my husband is) and have agreed to bring me along in the process. Probably to take some of the heat if we all get arrested for harboring chicken fugitives
Thanks for the lovely compliments!
Shari,
I understand about being frustrated about association rules. I live 15 minutes out of town on large lots, but the rules are very strict.
I have never tried Rhubarb either, but you have inspired me. I love strawberry upside down cake a lot and will have to try this.
Blessings,
Diane Roark
I wrote an earlier comment, but got distracted this morning and excited out of it. I could not remember if I had hit enter. I hope the rest of the day gets better.
You did comment earlier Diane but I couldn’t resist posting this one too! It reaffirms to me I am not the only one with “Senior Moments”
Blessings…Shari
Shari,
I have had strawberry upside down cake and it is one of my favorite desserts, but I too have never tried Rhubarb. You have inspired me to try it.
Everything looks so fresh and delicious! I love your recipes. I grew up having chickens and love the wake up call and the eggs. It was a lot of fun! I live 15 minutes out of town, but have strict association rules too. They can be frustrating.
Blessings,
Diane Roark
The rules in our little community have not been changed because we can never get enough people to show up to vote! Very frustrating. Many people here have went ahead and started raising chickens in spite of the ordinance. Our homes are spread out over a large area with large plots of land. No one really cares, but my husband is not budging, “a rule is a rule”. I begin to wonder if it is not about the rules but the thought of having chickens. I am determined to win him over though :0 I can be very persuasive when I need to be! Thanks for stopping by my beautiful friend…Shari
I wish you every good luck with your chickens
Your Strawberry Rhubarb Upside Down Cake looks wonderful – my Mom always used to make strawberry rhubarb pies in the summer and this flavour combination brings back great memories. I look forward to trying your recipe! Thank you for sharing it with us at the Hearth and Soul Hop. Pinned and shared on Facebook 
Strawberry Rhubarb pie is one of my favorites. I usually make up several during the summer after my berries and rhubarb are ripe and freeze them to enjoy their deliciousness all through the year. A appreciate the love
and thanks for stopping by!
This looks amazing! Pinned! Thanks for being part of our party. Please come and show off on Monday at 7 pm. We would love it. http://loulougirls.blogspot.com/
Happy Saturday! Lou Lou Girls
Thanks Kimberly, I always enjoy stopping by Lou Lou Girls. See you Monday!
Strawberry & Rubarb is one of my most favorite summer flavors. I love the beautiful look of the cooked fruit on top!! A must make this summer!
Thanks for the kind words and for stopping by Marci. Be sure to come back and let me know how you like it.
Sad that you can not have a few chickens. I keep bugging my husband for a couple of mini goats….so I don’t have to mow the yard anymore..and they are so darn cute! Your Strawberry Rhubarb Upside Down Cake looks wonderful. Thank you so much for linking up at Party in Your PJs.
Thanks for stopping by Kim. Goats would be a great addition here at Pure Grace Farms too. Sadly, the association has banned them also. It is really quite silly. We moved out of the city and into a rural area (long before I started growing my own food) and didn’t even think about raising animals at the time. One would think raising a few chickens and having a goat or two would not be an issue. I am grateful having a tomato plant is still okay
Delicious! Would be such a fun Mother’s Day treat too 😉
Thanks Christina. I made this one early for my Mother. I couldn’t wait until Mother’s Day. She loved it!
Shari,
Would you believe I’ve never had rhubarb. Your pie looks delicious and love your photos and presentation.
I just liked you on FB and started following you on G+.. I would love a follow back on Twitter ( @glutenfreejudee) and G+
If you get the opportunity you should try Rhubarb. A strawberry rhubarb combination is always so tasty. I will head over and follow you now. Thanks so much for stopping by. I look forward to getting to know you better.
Get your chickens….I would love to have a few also. We have 2 goats and a lamb at the end of the street and they aren’t allowed but no one has complained. Yum fresh eggs Regards lynn
I was wondering if you could come talk to my husband…he is a hard nut to crack and a stickler when it comes to rules. Do you think he will notice if I make the coop myself?
Thanks for the encouragement. I have been enjoying fresh eggs at my sisters house and they are so good!