Apricot buckwheat cake (gf) and Hugo sorts things out
As is too often the case, I feel compelled to tell my side of the story following Bossy’s latest piece of intelligence (I use the term with a generous helping of irony). I was so annoyed that I had intended to ‘forget’ to include her silly recipe in this post, but Bossy can be very insistent. Obviously my ‘forgetting’ would have been a pedagogical measure and not out of pettiness. Between ourselves though, I consider Bossy to be a lost cause so I didn’t press the issue.
As I mentioned before, in my spare time (sadly lacking because I’m so exploited), I am studying for a degree in psychology. This is quite a challenge as it’s very hard to find peace and quiet to study in this house. Also, I have to be careful not to leave my books lying around because Java chews them to pieces, Bossy drops them in the bath (she falls asleep while reading), the Noisy One makes aeroplanes from them and the Tall One uses them to light fires. The upshot is that there is hardly any room left for me to lie in my basket as, once I’ve finished studying I have to hide all my books under the blankets. I don’t think Bossy takes my degree very seriously, which would explain why she doesn’t understand my need for time on the couch to contemplate. The couch plays a very important part in a psychology degree.
Bossy is in denial about just how annoying Java is. She thinks she’s ‘adorable and perhaps a tiny bit dizzy’, whereas in reality she’s an unrelenting and unspeakable pest. Actually, they both are. For the record, Java is also in denial about just how annoying she is. Or maybe she isn’t, which is even worse. Sigmund (I think we would have been on first name terms if he had ever been lucky enough to meet me) believed that when people explain their behaviour they rarely give a true account – not necessarily because they are deliberately lying, but because they are great deceivers of others and, to an even greater degree, themselves. Bossy meet Java, Java meet Bossy. I rest my case.
Ingredients (serves 8-10)
170g dried apricots (preferably organic), chopped
100ml olive oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 eggs, separated
100g cane sugar
100ml plain yoghurt
70g ground almonds (you could substitute ground hazelnuts)
40g buckwheat flour
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1 teaspoon powdered cinnamon
Preheat the oven to 180ºC and prepare a medium-sized loaf tin. Whisk the egg yolks, sugar, olive oil and yogurt until light and smooth. Mix the ground almonds, buckwheat flour, salt, bicarbonate of soda and cinnamon together and then combine well with the wet mixture. Whisk the egg whites until they form soft peaks and gently but thoroughly fold into the mixture. Pour into the loaf tin and bake for 40 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Remove from the tin and leave to cool. Delicious served alone or with Greek yoghurt or ice cream.
14 Comments
The Hungry Mum
I love baking with ground almonds, they make cakes so lovely and moist.
The Healthy Epicurean
I agree – they also give the cake a wonderful texture which you don’t get with flour alone. Thank you!
Marisa's Italian Kitchen
I just adore the illustrations and lovely writing!
The Healthy Epicurean
Thank you Marisa! 🙂
anyone4curryandotherthings
I used to copy Hugo’s writing to keep in a folder to read at leasure. But …… something must have gone wrong with WordPress; quite a few of my fav Bloggers did not reach me for many month (incl. you) – and no, I most certainly have not un-subscribed any of them. I am so glad to see Hugo again. 🙂 🙂
The Healthy Epicurean
Hugo would be so proud, but I’m not going to tell him for fear of him becoming even more insufferable! 😉 In any case, I’m very glad that you’ve joined us again!
mindyb69
Nice blog and great pics, thanks
The Healthy Epicurean
Thank you – you’re welcome ! 🙂
kellie anderson
Poor, put-upon Hugo. I hope he perked up enough from his gloom and pique to nab a slice of this delicious sounding cake. I love how simple it looks to make, too.
The Healthy Epicurean
I’m afraid that even the cake didn’t perk him up because he doesn’t have a sweet tooth. A chicken carcass temporarily put a smile back on his face though! 😉
apuginthekitchen
Hugo it all makes sense, the couch, a psychologist in training and the need for access to the couch is essential and a integral part of your studies. Bossy is a great cook love that loaf, it sounds delicious.
The Healthy Epicurean
Exactly Mrs Pug! At least you understand me. I really think I should by a plane ticket and come and live with you. Please say hello to Percy from me.
apuginthekitchen
You are welcome here Hugo!!! Percy has great respect for your talents
The Healthy Epicurean
Thank you Mrs Pug. I would love to come and stay with you and Percy – it’s a bit exhausting here and I don’t get enough time to study…