Olive Oil Chocolate CakeIt started getting really cold since yesterday. I know it because I couldn't wear my Birkenstocks out and I am starting to feel low. I also think I know why the English and the Germans are usually such great bakers, though a little colder they probably would just turn to vodka.
I felt the urge to bake this morning. I needed some warmth and the smell of baking chocolate in the house - though I stopped short at butter. I haven't had my cholesterol tested since 2 years ago (after paying 60 euros for the test - think of the blocks of premium butter I could buy with that), but knowing that age is catching up with me, I thought I had better just play it safe.
So I baked an Olive Oil Chocolate Cake. And ate it with loads of whipped cream. Oops.
Olive Oil Chocolate Cake :
110g Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 Tsp Vanilla extrait
1/2 Tsp Almond extrait
230g Flour
1/4 Tsp Salt
1/4 Tsp Baking Soda
4 Eggs
170ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
180g Sugar
50g Brown Sugar
Heat oven to 160°C. Grease a springform tin with olive oil and lightly flour it.
Add about 8 Tbsps of hot water to the cocoa powder and mix it into a paste. Add the vanilla and almond essence. Set it aside.
Mix the flour, salt and baking soda.
Combine the eggs, olive oil, sugars and whisk till you get a creamy mixture.
Add in the cocoa paste and whisk some more till it's evenly mixed.
Fold in the flour.
Bake in the oven for 50-55 minutes.
A slice of the cake (before the whipped cream)Probably the kind of cake that would go well with a crème anglaise. If you want to taste the olive oil, it would be better not to bake it with chocolate.
Meanwhile, before I leave I have a few loose ends to tie. Had to buy another music book for Eldest Son's guitar lessons and a present for a birthday party that Baby Girl will attend on Sunday. Took the opportunity to make a quick trip to the Ferrari Store in Maranello and grab a few gifts for London. Have to reserve our ski trip to Morzine. They have decided that I must spend the New Year freezing on the slopes. Made a list for the Hub. When le leaves, he just do it. When I leave, why do I feel like I couldn't do so just like that? And he told me yesterday that I'm not indispensable...I should go away more often. So, where next?
Sunny Canary Islands? Madeira for some great hikes?
RépondreSupprimerAre you affected by SAD=Seasonal Affective Disorder? Play some happy music might help. Plan for your next trip home to Spore & other short haul trips around Asia to make you happy.
When you do return to Spore next year, go to the nearest polyclinic to get yr cholesterol checked, its very affordable.
For myself, I love holidaying in Europe during winter. I don't mind short daylights, I think its cosy and a great way to spend time walking outdoors. No perspiration & no hot sun blasting away. And it feels so cosy sitting in a cafe sipping hot choc & eating pastries.
I just cannot appreciate risotto, pasta yes, but not the soggy risotto. I'll rather eat Chinese porridge or jasmine rice. Also cannot appreciate gnocchi, rather eat Chinese dumplings instead.
Now that you mentioned it, I think I've a little of that SAD thingy since about 3 years ago. Funny since I've been here 14 years now and should have really gotten used to the weather.
RépondreSupprimerI'm a cheapskate, I dislike spending money on coffee in cafés, especially not in Paris. And I have never gotten into the sit around and watch people habit. I'd rather read a paper. I was a latchkey kid and this shows ah.
Risotto as the Italians do it is al dente so the crunchy rice contrasts quite nicely with a bit of sauce. But I, like you, still prefer rice congee and steamed rice. And I dislike gnocchi too, horrible texture.