It's still freakin cold here in Poland. Last night it was -30 really freaking cold for me. I do not know when will we have warm weather again. I think forever be like this. hehehe! I hope not!
There's a lot of things to post here...so many things to post. I tell you this might be a long post. So, If you do not have the mood or patience to read this post better not continue.
Yay!
Somedays ago i tried baking
sczarlotka - a Polish apple cake. Since, hubby bought like 3 kgs of apples, and we do not know how to consume all at once since apples easily get ripe . I decided to try baking SZARLOTKA cake. why not! after all there's no harm in trying. Cooking and baking is after all an adventure. Now, let me share with you all my own version. Actually, there is so many ways how to bake apple cake. I tried this two versions to compare what is good and
best. But do you know that Poland is one of the world's producer of apples? Yeah believe me here anywhere u can find apples all over. It's like an ordinary fruits here so expect that they are really cheap here unlike back at home (Philippines) apples are so expensive.
So here goes....
Presenting my Szarlotka - Polish apple cake .
side view
when serve..
sorry picture was too pale. it is hard to find good light on a winter.
The recipe: SZARLOTKA - version 1
4 1/2 c sifted flour
3 1/2 tsp. baking powder
8 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 lb. butter
4-5 tbsp sour cream
4 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
how to:
for crust - combine flour, baking soda, sugar and salt. cut in the butter. combine sour cream and egg yolks and them to flour mixture. Mix dough and then knead lightly, form into ball and chill. I use my kitchen robot to mix the dough since it's really a hard mixture.
for filling -
3/4 c sugar
4-5 or more apples, peeled
1 tsp.cinnamon or flavor of your choice
*Grate apples and mix the sugar and cinnamon.
The dough is then lightly knead. Next, form the dough into a ball like shape, wrap the dough with aluminum foil and chill in the freezer for 30mins or so.
Once the dough has chilled, lightly greased your cooking dish. Cut slices of the dough and place them around your desired dish. Mine i use my round cake pan. Make sure to work the dough and place them around your desired dish. Make sure too that you work the dough slices together with your finger so there are no cracks. Once this step is complete, place the apple filling in. Finally, the last layer of the szarlotka is covered with a thin grated layer of dough on top and placed into the oven for 375 degrees for 45 mins. or until golden brown. Once the cake has cold you can dust with powdered sugar but that is optional.
That is the first version of the szarlotka cake that i baked. Modesty aside, I find it yummy and the crust is gooey. Best eaten over a coffee or tea time with the family. My husbands verdict...great taste! 5 stars he said. With my in laws, same opinion. Taste great and crust is not dry.
For the second version, I find it more challenging and easy to bake as well. Though wasn't able to take pictures since i get lazy recharging the batteries of both cameras. Blame it on the weather. bleeh!
SZARLOTKA - version 2
ingredients:
6 M apples ( washed, peeled, and chopped)
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup raisins
3/4 cup toasted almonds
1 tsp lemon juice
2 eggs
2 tbsps of ground flax seeds
1/2 cup oil
2 cups flour
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp almond extract ( in polish migdałowy)
groun cinnamon (optional)
How to:
placed apples in a large bowl and sprinkle with sugar and lemon juice. Set aside.
Mix flour, oats, baking soda and baking powder in a medium bowl add cinnamon.
In a separate bowl, mix eggs, flax seeds, oil and almond extract. Combine egg and flour mixture and mix well. Fold in the fruit, nuts and raisins. Mix very well. So at this point, I need help of hubby coz it was really hard to mix them all together. The dough was hard with all the fruits and nuts on it. You can add some more if the mixture is extremely wet but it will be wet really wet. Put into a large baking dish and smooth out the top. Bake in preheat oven at 170 degrees celcius for an hour until risen and skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Take out of the oven and cool in the baking dish. Enjoy!
Verdict : really easy recipe to bake. I find it yummy as well and smells so good with all the mixture of nuts, cinnamon, raisins, apples, oats whew! really makes it more tasty.
For today, I made mushroom soup to fight the cold weather and i have one box of mushroom that needs to be cook within the week or else i have to throw it all out. I love mushrooms and i like to put it in any of my cooking adventure. How about you? if you are a mushroom lover or still trying to like it, then try my mushroom soup.
Still no pictures where taken....blame me and the weather. I get so lazy taking pictures at this time. All i want is to sit under the comfort of a warm blanket and sip hot tea all the time.
Mushroom soup
butter
300 mushrooms - chopped, diced
onions - chopped
garlic, crushed
1/3 cup plain flour
4-5 cups of stock - i use chicken stock
2/3 cup cream for soup
dry parsley
salt and pepper to taste
how to:
melt butter, put onions when translucent, stir in garlic cook till foamy. Put in mushrooms. Cook for about 10 mins or till mushrooms get soft. Add flour and stirring constantly for about 2 minutes. Gradually add stocks and stirring constantly, over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 10 mins. Remove from heat and process it in a blender or food processor. Put salt and pepper to taste, stil in cream and put it back in the fire but do not boil this time. Before serving stir in parsley. Serve best with toasted bread too.
So that would be for now. I have to hit my blanket again coz i really feel so cold. Damn this cold weather. Please let the weather be warm again...spring spring!
as always...
SMACZNEGO!
