A Night In India Recipes

Paneer Pakora (Cheese Fritters) from indobase.com Ingredients:

• 250 gms Paneer  Cheese • 8 tbsp chick pea flour • 2-1/2 tsp Red chilli powder • 1-1/4 tsp Mango powder • 1/4 tsp Cooking soda • Water as requirement • Salt to taste • Oil to fry

How to make Paneer Pakora:

• Firstly cut the paneer into thick square pieces. • Sprinkle mango powder and red chilli powder on these pieces. • Mix the gram flour, red chilli powder, soda and salt in a bowl. • Add some water to the mixture to make it thick batter. • Dip each piece of the paneer in this batter. • Heat the oil in a frying pan. • Now put the pieces of paneer in the heated oil. • Fry them till they become golden brown. • Paneer Pakoras are ready.  Serve with Green Chutney

Green Chutney

from food.com 2 cups chopped fresh cilantro 1 cup chopped mint 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, chopped 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped 1 tablespoon green chili, chopped 2 tablespoons desiccated coconut salt 1/4 cup lemon juice Directions: Grind all the ingredients with a little water.

Samosas

1 packet  won ton wraps
vegetable oil, for deep frying

For the filling:
3 large potatoes, boiled and mashed
3/4 cup frozen peas, thawed and cooked
1/3 cup canned sweet corn, drained (I didn't use the corn)
1 tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp amchur (dry mango powder)
1 small red onion, finely chopped
2 fresh green chilies, finely chopped
2 tsp. each fresh coriander (cilantro) and mint leaves, chopped
juice of 1 lemon
salt

1. toss all the filling ingredients together in a large mixing bowl until well blended. Adjust the seasoning with salt and lemon juice, if necessary.

2. Working with one strip of pastry at a time, place 1 T. of the filling mixture at one end of the strip and diagonally fold the pastry to form a triangle. Repeat with the other strips.

3. Heat enough oil for deep-frying and fry the samosas in small batches until they are golden brown. Serve hot. Fresh coriander chutney or a mango chutney are ideal for dipping.   

Indian Summer Stew: Butternut Squash, Coconut, and Lentil Stew By Aarti Sequeira Ingredients 1 cup yellow split pigeon peas (toor dal) 1 pound butternut squash, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 2 1/2 cups) 1 Roma tomato, diced 1/2 cup fresh, frozen, or dried shredded coconut 1/2 teaspoon turmeric 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 4 cups vegetable stock or water, or enough to cover  Tempering: 2 tablespoons canola oil 1 teaspoon brown or black mustard seeds 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 clove garlic, minced 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 tablespoon honey 1 lime, juiced 1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro leaves Directions Rinse the pigeon peas in a couple changes of water. In a large soup pot, combine the squash, drained pigeon peas, tomato, coconut, turmeric, cumin, and enough stock to cover. Bring to a boil, and then simmer, covered, 20 minutes. Remove the cover and simmer another 10 minutes. To temper: In a small skillet, warm the canola oil until shimmering. Add the mustard seeds and when they stop popping, add the red pepper flakes, garlic, and salt. Swirl the skillet so the contents cook evenly, and cook another 10 seconds. Then pour the contents of the skillet into the soup, along with the salt. Spoon a ladleful of soup back into the skillet (it will sizzle, be careful!), and pour back into the soup pot. Finish with the honey, lime juice, and cilantro. Adjust the seasonings, to taste, and enjoy a little Indian summer in the middle of your winter! Naan Bread 2 tsp dry active yeast 1 tsp sugar ½ C water 2.5-3 C flour ½ tsp salt ¼ C vegetable oil 1/3 plain Greek yogurt 1 large egg STEP 1: In a small bowl, combine the yeast, sugar and water. Stir to dissolve then let sit for a few minutes or until it is frothy on top. At that point, stir in the oil, yogurt and egg until evenly combined. STEP 2: In a medium sized bowl, combine 1 cup of the flour with the salt. Next, add the bowl of wet ingredients to the flour/salt mixture and stir until well combined. Continue adding flour a half cup at a time until you can no longer stir it with a spoon (about 1 to 1.5 cups later). STEP 3: At that point, turn the ball of dough out onto a well floured counter top. Knead the ball of dough for about 3 minutes, adding flour as necessary to keep the dough from sticking. I ended up using about 3 cups of flour total. The dough should be smooth and very soft but not sticky. STEP 4: Loosely cover the dough and let it rise until double in size (about 45 minutes). After it rises, gently flatten the dough and cut it into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a small ball by stretching the dough back under itself until the top is smooth and round. Step 5: Heat a large, heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat and spray lightly with non-stick spray. Working with one ball at a time, roll it out until it is about 1/4 inch thick or approximately 6 inches in diameter. Place the rolled out dough onto the hot skillet and cook until the under side is golden brown and large bubbles have formed on the surface (see photos below). Flip the dough and cook the other side until golden brown as well. Serve plain or brushed with melted butter and sprinkled with herbs! TIPS: For the most bubbles, don't roll out the ball of dough until just before it is ready to be placed in the skillet. I experimented with different skillet temperatures and found that a medium heat produces the most bubbles in the dough and does not burn the surface.   Saag Paneer (Spinach with Indian Cheese) Adapted from Food Network Ingredients 1 teaspoon turmeric 1/2 teaspoon cayenne Kosher salt 3 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil 12 ounces paneer1 (16-ounce package) frozen chopped spinach 1 medium white onion, finely chopped 1 (1-inch thumb) ginger, peeled and minced (about 1 tablespoon) 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 large green serrano chile, finely chopped (seeds removed if you don't like it spicy!) 1/2 teaspoon store-bought or homemade garam masala, recipe follows 2 teaspoons ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 cup heavy cream, or more if desired so the spinach isn’t dry Directions In a large bowl, whisk together the turmeric, cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt and 3 tablespoons oil. Gently, drop in the cubes of paneer and gently toss, taking care not to break the cubes if you're using the homemade kind. Let the cubes marinate while you get the rest of your ingredients together and prepped. Thaw the spinach in the microwave in a microwave-safe dish, 5 minutes on high, then puree in a food processor until smooth. Alternatively, you can chop it up very finely with your knife. Place a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, and add the paneer as the pan warms. In a couple of minutes give the pan a toss; each piece of paneer should be browned on one side. Fry another minute or so, and then remove the paneer from the pan onto a plate. Add the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil to the pan. Add the onions, ginger, garlic and chile. Now here's the important part: saute the mixture until it's evenly toffee-coloured, which should take about 15 minutes. Don't skip this step - this is the foundation of the dish! If you feel like the mixture is drying out and burning, add a couple of tablespoons of water. Add the garam masala, coriander and cumin. If you haven't already, sprinkle a little water to keep the spices from burning. Cook, stirring often, until the raw scent of the spices cook out, and it all smells a bit more melodious, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the spinach and stir well, incorporating the spiced onion mixture into the spinach. Add a little salt and 1/2 cup of water, stir, and cook about 5 minutes with the lid off. Turn the heat off. Add the yogurt, a little at a time to keep it from curdling. Once the yogurt is well mixed into the spinach, add the paneer. Turn the heat back on, cover and cook until everything is warmed through, about 5 minutes. Serve.    Potato and Cauliflower Curry (serves 4) 2/3 cup vegetable oil 1/2 tsp cumin 4 dried red chilies (I just used a little crushed red pepper) 2 onions, sliced 1 tsp finely chopped fresh ginger root 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 tsp chili powder 1 tsp salt pinch of ground turmeric 3 potatoes 1/2 cauliflower, cut into small florets 2 fresh green chilies (optional) 1/4 bunch of cilantro, chopped 2/3 cup water (I added sliced carrots as well as sliced red pepper) 1. Heat the oil in a large pan.  Add the cumin and dried chilies, stirring to mix. 2. Add the onions to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. 3. Mix the ginger, garlic, chili powder, salt, and turmeric together in a bowl.  Add the spice mixture to the onions and stir-fry for two minutes. 4. Add the potatoes and cauliflower to the onion and spice mixture, stirring to coat the vegetables in the spice mixture. 5. Reduce the heat and add the green chilies (if using), cilantro, and water to the pan.  Cover and let simmer for 10-15 minutes (maybe a little more, and you may need to add a little more water).  Chicken Tikka Masala From Merianne (Adapted from many different masala recipes) Ingredients MASALA MARINADE 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric Salt and freshly ground pepper CHICKEN 2 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, fat trimmed Salt and freshly ground pepper 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon vegetable oil 1/4 cup blanched whole almonds 1 large onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger 1 1/2 tablespoons garam masala 1 1/2 teaspoons pure chile powder 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper One 35-ounce can crushed tomatoes, undrained 1 can tomato sauce Pinch of sugar 1 cup heavy cream  Directions MAKE THE MASALA MARINADE: In a large glass or stainless steel bowl, combine the yogurt, garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, cardamom, cayenne and turmeric. Season with salt and pepper.  Cut chicken in 1 inch cubes.  Add the chicken to the marinade, turn to coat and refrigerate overnight.  In a small skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of the oil. Add the almonds and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer the almonds to a plate and let cool completely. In a food processor, pulse the almonds until finely ground.  In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil until shimmering. Add the onion, garlic and ginger and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until tender and golden, about 8 minutes. Add the garam masala, chile powder and cayenne and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes with their juices and the sugar and season with salt and pepper. Cover partially and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 20 minutes. Remove the chicken from the marinade and add to the tomato mixture. Cook until chicken is cooked through. Add the cream and ground almonds and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 10 minutes longer. Garnish with lots of cilantro *Cooks Note:  The Chicken Tikka Masala can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before serving.     Mango & Cardamom Cupcakes Cupcakes 1 (18 ounce) box white cake mix (Betty Crocker or Pillsbury) 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup granulated sugar ¾  teaspoon salt 1 1/3 cups water 1/8 cup vegetable oil 1 teaspoon real vanilla 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 cup sour cream 4 large egg whites 1 tsp. cardamom Put in cupcake liners and bake 18-22 minutes For the mango curd: 1 cup mango puree (found in supermarket in Asian aisle) 1/2 cup sugar 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice Pinch of salt 4 large egg yolks 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract Pulse the mango, sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract and salt in a blender till combined. Add the egg yolks and pulse again till all the yolks are well mixed. Set up a double boiler by placing a bowl on top of a saucepan simmering with water, making sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the bowl. Pour your mango mixture into the bowl and whisk constantly till thickened, for 10-15 minutes or more. Remove from heat and add the pieces of butter till it’s melted and mixed well with the mango curd. Set aside to cool and refrigerate before use. Mango-Cardamom Buttercream Frosting: 3 cups (more or less) confectioners sugar- sifted 2 sticks unsalted butter- at room temperature 1/3 cup mango puree 1 tsp mango extract/essence 1 tsp. milk if needed Right before serving, carve out a little section of the cupcake and fill it with the mango curd, put the small top back on the cupcake.  Frost with the buttercream icing and drizzle with mango puree or sprinkle with a pinch of crushed cardamom.

A Night in India: Emily and Merianne

Emily and Merianne hosted in December, giving us an exotic Night in India.
The decor was beautiful and I loved all the candles and the bright pops of color.

THE DECOR.

Such a clever detail to have a bindi for each guest to wear.  I love it!

Love the blue ceiling.

Loved the mood lighting.  So warm and glowing.

THE APPETIZERS.

 Delicious appetizers, Paneer Pakora and Vegetable Samosas with fresh chutneys.

Green Chutney--mint and cilantro.

Refreshing Mint Juleps.

 
THE DINNER GUESTS.

Kastell, Gentri, Emily, and Tamara

 Kim, Elizabeth A., and Niki

  Olivia (Update: She just had her baby! Congratulations!), her mother in law, Natalie, and Rachel

Merianne, Emily, and Elizabeth M.


THE DINNER.
Dinner was delicious!  Every single bite.  I was so impressed.

Recipes to follow.

 Pretty placecards.

 Floating candles.

Soup course.

Indian Summer Stew--Butternut squash, coconut and lentil stew.

Main course.

Chicken Tikka Masala with rice, Saag Paneer, fresh Naan, and Potato and Cauliflower Curry.

Dessert course.

Mango and Cardamom Cupcakes with Mango Cardamom Buttercream and Ice Cream with Mango Curd topping.

I told Merianne that I've eaten a LOT of gourmet cupcakes in my day and I'm declaring this mango cupcake my favorite ever!!! Unbelievably perfect in every way.
Also, I love the red dishes and the cupcake's wrapping and the cobalt blue chargers. Enchanting.


 THE FAVORS.
Hand ground spices!  I've already used mine.  What a wonderful gift.  They smell so amazing!

THE GROUP.

What a totally fabulous night!
Thank you so much to Merianne and Emily!
We enjoyed every minute!

Delightfully Wicked Recipes

 
BUTTERMILK PEPPERCORN DIP

1 cup sour cream

3 oz cream cheese

2 tablespoons nonfat buttermilk

1 teaspoon coarsely ground mixed peppercorns

2 teaspoons minced chives

1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme

1 shallot, minced

Stir well to combine.  Serve with crudités such as snap peas, carrots, red peppers and with baguette.

RAVIOLI

Basic egg pasta dough, Kitchen Aid

4 large eggs

1 TBS water

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

Place eggs, water, flour, and salt in mixer bowl.  Attach bowl and flat beater.  Turn to speed 2 and mix for 30 seconds. 

Exchange flat beater for dough hook.  Turn to speed 2 and knead 2 minutes.  Remove dough from bowl and hand knead for 1 to 2 minutes.  Wrap in plastic wrap and let it rest for 20 minutews.  Divide dough into 4 pieces before processing with pasta sheet roller attachment.  Seal the seams of ravioli with egg wash to help them stay closed.  Freeze or cover before use.  

CHEESE AND HERB RAVIOLI FILLING

-Tyler Florence

3/4 cup ricotta cheese, well drained

6 ounces goat cheese, at room temperature

1 cup fresh herbs (basil, parsley, thyme, marjoram), chopped

1 egg

Salt and pepper, to taste

In a mixing bowl, thoroughly combine all ingredients. Chill in the refrigerator a few minutes to firm up the filling.

*To Fry:  Dip ravioli in buttermilk then in Italian seasoned bread crumbs.   Fry until golden brown.  Keep warm in oven until ready to eat.

KIM’S FRESH MARINARA SAUCE

1/2 Onion diced

2-3 cloves garlic chopped

Zest and juice of one Lemon 

2 cans diced tomatos

3-4 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

salt to taste

Saute onion and garlic in olive oil in saucepan to soften, add remaining ingredients and simmer until ready to eat.  This is a great go-to sauce that I use for a dipping sauce, a pizza sauce, and for a pasta sauce.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

2 medium butternut squash

1 onion


1 royal gala or pink lady apple


1/4 cup butter


1 900-mL carton chicken broth


1 cup whipping cream


1/2 tsp. dried sage leaves, crumbled


Generous pinches cinnamon and salt


 3 Tbsp. maple syrup

Peel squash. (Microwaving one whole squash at a time on high for 2 minutes makes peeling easier.) Cut in half and discard seeds. Chop into small pieces. Finely chop onion. Peel apple, then thinly slice.

In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and apple. Cook, stirring often, until onion begins to soften; about 5 minutes. Add broth, cream, squash, sage, cinnamon and salt. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered and stirring often until squash is very tender, from 20 to 25 min.

Ladle about 1/3 of soup into a blender and whirl until puréed. Pour soup back into saucepan and set over medium heat. Stir in maple syrup and add more broth or water if it needs to be thinned. Stir until hot.

Ladle into bowls and top with sour cream. 

Soup will keep well, covered and refrigerated, up to 5 days or freeze up to 3 months.   Makes about 9 cups.

 
SALAD

Parmesan Cheese Bowls

Grated, bagged Parmesan cheese

Heat a small nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons cheese over the bottom of the skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until edges are golden brown and cheese is bubbly. Using a spatula, carefully remove cheese mixture and immediately drape over the back of a small bowl. Allow cheese to cool. 

Fill bowls with Spring Mix lettuce and add Caprese skewers and top with balsamic dressing.

Caprese Skewers

Cherry tomato, fresh basil, mozzarella ball, drizzle with balsamic vinegar

Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon spicy brown mustard

1 teaspoon honey

1 garlic clove, minced or pressed

salt and pepper

You can whisk all the ingredients together really well or put them in a bottle and shake. I put everything in the blender and pulsed until mixed.

CHICKEN BREASTS IN SHERRIED TOMATO CREAM

Recipe by-  Karin Gehrke (Kim's friend)

2 lbs chicken breasts

salt, pepper, nutmeg

1 1/2 TBS butter

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup finely chopped parsley

1/3 lb sliced mushrooms

1/4 Tsp dried basil

1/3 cup dry sherry

1 Tsp Dijon mustard

1 cup peeled, seeded, diced tomato

1/2 cup whipping cream

Season chicken on both sides with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.  Sate in butter until brown.  Add onion and mushrooms around the edges, sprinkle chicken with parsley and basil, pour in sherry.  Simmer, covered until chicken is done. (15-20 minutes)  Transfer chicken to plate.  Stir mustard into pan liquid, add tomato and cream and let simmer to reduce slightly.  Add salt, pepper, or more sherry to taste. Option- thicken slightly with cornstarch and milk.  Serve sauce over chicken.  Goes great over pasta or rice.  Don't forget to make it beautiful with fresh parsley and shaved parmesan. 

GNOCCHI

-Anne Burrell

5 large Idaho Potatoes

2 eggs

3/4 cup grated Parmigiano

3 to 4 cups all purpose flour

1 tablespoon salt

Preheat the oven to 375 or 400 degrees F.

Bake the potatoes until they are fork tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Check them!

While the potatoes are still hot peel and pass them through a food mill or ricer. (I find that the food mill works just as well as a ricer and is much easier to handle) onto a sheet tray lined with parchment paper. When doing this pay       careful attention to keep the potatoes as light and fluffy as possible. This will aid in keeping the gnocchi light. Refrigerate the potatoes on the sheet tray until cold. This is also a very important step. If the potatoes are warm while adding flour they will require more flour, which will result in a much heavier finished product.

When the potatoes are absolutely cold, transfer to a clean work surface. Beat together theeggs and cheese and pour onto the potatoes. Season with salt. Cover generously with flour. It should look like snow on the mountains. Crumble the potato flour mixture between your fingers. Begin to knead the dough until it is a dry homogeneous mixture. The dough should feel slightly moist, but not tacky. If too tacky, repeat the snow on the mountains stage.

Form the dough into a large log. Cut slices off the log and begin to roll into long ropes that are about 1-inch in thickness. Cut the ropes into 1/2-inch lengths. Cover generously with flour. Place the gnocchi in a single layer on a sheet tray dusted with flour. DO NOT PILE ON TOP OF EACH OTHER!!

Use or freeze the gnocchi immediately. If freezing, place tray directly into the freezer. Once frozen, the gnocchi can be stored in plastic bags, in the freezer, indefinitely. When cooking gnocchi they can go directly from the freezer into salted boiling water.

Note: It is a general practice to take gnocchi out of the water when they float. This is a big mistake. Gnocchi need to be cooked in boiling water until they float and get nice and puffy. Not cooking gnocchi long enough will also result in heavy gnocchi.

P.S. These are Chef Anne "Secrets" to great gnocchi, use them and you will be successful every time.

DEATH BY CHOCOLATE AND SALTED CARAMEL CAKE

Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart

Ingredients

For The Cake

Unsalted butter, room temperature, for pans

3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans

3 cups granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder

1 tablepoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

Coarse salt

4 large eggs

1 1/2 cups low-fat buttermilk

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons safflower oil

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

For The Caramel

4 cups granulated sugar

1/4 cup light corn syrup

2 cups heavy cream

Coarse salt

2 sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons

           

For The Frosting

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder

2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

Coarse salt

1 pound semisweet chocolate, chopped, melted, and cooled

Garnish: flaked sea salt

Mascarpone Creme-  Mix together 1 tub of Mascarpone Cheese,  1/4 cup powder sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.   

   

Directions

.    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make the cake: Butter three 9-inch round cake pans, and dust with flour, tapping out excess. Sift flour, granulated sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and 1 1/2 teaspoons course salt into the bowl of a mixer. Beat on low speed until just combined. Raise speed to medium, and add eggs, buttermilk, 1 1/2 cups warm water, oil, and vanilla. Beat until smooth, about 3 minutes.

.    Divide batter among pans. Bake until cakes are set and a toothpick inserted into the center of each comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let cool in pans set on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Turn out cakes onto racks, and let cool completely.

 Make the caramel: Combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan over high heat. Cook, without stirring, until mixture is dark amber, about 14 minutes. Remove from heat, and carefully pour in cream (mixture will spatter); stir until smooth. Return to heat, and cook until a candy thermometer reaches 238 degrees, about 2 minutes. Pour caramel into a medium bowl, stir in 1 teaspoon coarse salt, and let cool slightly, about 15 minutes. Stir in butter, 1 tablespoon at a time. Let cool completely.

Meanwhile, make the frosting: Whisk together cocoa and 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water in a bowl until cocoa dissolves. Beat butter, confectioners' sugar, and a generous pinch of coarse salt in a clean bowl with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in melted chocolate and then cocoa mixture until combined. Let stand for 30 minutes before using.

Trim tops of cakes using a serrated knife to create a level surface. Cut each in half horizontally to form 2 layers. Transfer 1 layer to a serving platter, and spread 3/4 cup caramel over top. Top with another cake layer, and repeat with remaining caramel and cake layers, leaving top uncovered. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour.

Frost top and sides of cake in a swirling motion. Sprinkle with sea salt.  Serve with Marscarpone cream.

Cook's Note:

To make this cake ahead of time: The caramel can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; bring to room temperature before using. Cake layers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days (they actually taste better when refrigerated and have a better texture for stacking). When finished, the frosted cake can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.