Armed Forces Day is an annual U.S. federal holiday observed on the third Saturday in May, dedicated to paying tribute to the men and women who currently serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. It’s part of Armed Forces Week and is a time to express gratitude and appreciation for their service. The holiday was established in 1949 and first observed in 1950 on May 20^th.

This year it will be celebrated on May 16^th.

Armed Forces Day and Veterans Day and Memorial Day are all important holidays dedicated to honoring military personnel, but they have distinct focuses. 

Armed Forces Day, honors all current and former members of the United States Armed Forces. Veterans Day, on the other hand, is celebrated on November 11th and specifically honors military veterans, that is, those who have served in the armed forces. Memorial Day, the saddest day of all, is a United States federal holiday celebrated on the last Monday of May to honor and mourn the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.

When you see a Veteran offering a Poppy,

 shake his hand, thank him for his service

and Buy a Poppy!

CARDAMON VANILLA POUND CAKE

Full of flavor, deliciously satisfying and easy to make.

3 C. Flour
1 tsp. Baking Powder
2 1/4 Sticks Butter – unsalted, room temp.
4 Eggs – room temp.
1 C. Milk – not low fat
1 tsp. Cardamon – ground
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
1 3/4 C. Sugar
2 Vanilla Beans – halved lengthwise
1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice – freshly squeezed
1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
Pinch of Salt

Preheat oven to 350º.  Generously butter a large (12 cup) Bundt or Tube pan and sprinkle with flour, shaking out the excess.

In a small bowl, whisk together, flour, cardamom baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In a stand mixer, beat together the butter and sugar on medium speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a spatula several times during the mixing. Continue mixing until pale and fluffy – 45 minutes.  Scrape the seeds from the vanilla beans with the tip of a small knife and drop into the butter mixture and beat only until well combined. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Add lemon juice and mix in.

With your mixer on low speed, so that you and your kitchen don’t get a flour bath, add the flour mixture alternately in several batches with the milk.  Continue mixing just until all well combined.

With your spatula, scrape the batter into the prepared pan.  Smooth the top and tap pan on counter to eliminate air bubbles. Place in pre-heated oven and bake for 50 – 60 minutes until a cake tester or wooden skewer inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.  Cool in pan after removing from the oven for 1 hour on a wire rack and then invert onto the rack to cool completely for another hour or longer, if necessary.

Sprinkle cake with powdered sugar, when cool, or serve with a side of vanilla whipped cream by whipping 1 ½ cups chilled heavy cream with 2 ½ – 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar and 1  or 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.

NOTE: Made in small loaf pans, this makes a wonderful hostess gift.

BUON MANGIATA!