Angel Food Cake With Strawberry Rhubarb Sauce

STRAWBERRY-RHUBARB ANGEL CAKE

Steps:

• Move oven rack to lowest position (remove other racks). Heat oven to 350°F. In extra-large glass or metal bowl, beat cake mix, water and orange peel with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds; beat on medium speed 1 minute. Pour into ungreased 10-inch angel food (tube) cake pan. (Do not use fluted tube cake pan or 9-inch angel food pan or batter will overflow.)
• Bake 37 to 47 minutes or until top is dark golden brown and cracks feel very dry and not sticky. Do not underbake. Immediately turn pan upside down onto glass bottle until cake is completely cool, about 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, mix rhubarb, 1/2 cup granulated sugar and the orange juice. Cook over medium heat 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool 15 minutes. Stir in 1 1/2 cups strawberries. Stir in 4 drops food color if deeper red color is desired. Refrigerate about 1 hour.
• In chilled medium bowl, beat whipping cream and 3 tablespoons sugar on high speed until soft peaks form. In large bowl, beat ricotta cheese and 1/4 cup powdered sugar on medium speed until fluffy. Fold in whipped cream.
• Run knife around edges of cake; remove from pan. Cut cake horizontally to make 3 layers. Fill layers with filling. Frost side and top of cake with frosting. Arrange 1/2 cup strawberries over top of cake. Store covered in refrigerator.

STRAWBERRY RHUBARB SAUCE

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine rhubarb, water, sugar, lemon zest and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat until rhubarb is soft, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in strawberries, lemon juice and cinnamon. If desired, add food coloring. Cool. Serve over cake.

CAKE WITH STRAWBERRY-RHUBARB SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix dry pudding mix and water in saucepan until blended. Stir in strawberries and rhubarb.
• Bring to full rolling boil on medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
• Add lemon juice and butter; stir until butter is melted and sauce is well blended.
• Spoon sauce over cake slices just before serving.

GRILLED ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat charcoal/gas grill or broiler and away from heat source lightly coat rack or broiler pan with a nonstick cooking spray. Adjust cooking rack at least 4 to 6 inches away from heat source.
• In a medium saucepan combine strawberries, rhubarb, sugar, water, vanilla, and cinnamon. Over medium heat cook mixture until just boiling, approximately 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Lay angel food cake toward edge of grill rack or broiler pan where there is less heat.
• Grill cake until each side is nicely browned, approximately 1 to 3 minutes.
• On individual serving plates, place angel food cake and top each piece with 1/4 cup of the strawberry-rhubarb sauce. Add 2 tablespoons of whipped topping and serve immediately.

STRAWBERRY-RHUBARB ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Combine rhubarb and the juice of one orange (juice should equal at least 1/4 cup liquid- if additional liquid is needed, add water to make 1/4 cup).
• Add 1/2 cup sugar, cover and cook over medium heat until rhubarb is tender.
• Set aside 1/2 cup sliced strawberries.
• Stir remaining strawberries into rhubarb mixture.
• Stir in a few drops red food color for eye appeal.
• Cool.
• Mixture will begin to thicken slightly.
• Slice cake horizontally to make 3 layers.
• Spoon 1/2 the filling on bottom cake layer.
• Add second layer cake and spoon on remaining filling.
• Place top layer on cake.
• Chill cream well, whip until stiff.
• Set aside.
• Beat together ricotta cheese, 4 tablespoons sugar, and the grated peel of one orange.
• Beat until fluffy.
• Fold whipped cream into whipped ricotta cheese.
• Frost the sides and top of cake with whip cream mixture.
• Garnish with remaining strawberry slices and mint leaves.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Cake is best if served same day.