Spicy carrot cake and a ladies’ horse
I don’t really understand girls. I thought I did, but I don’t. Océane (the only mare of the four horses), took an instant, irrational dislike to Bijou (the four-year-old with a ditch problem) when he first arrived. In fact, she was so aggressive and unpleasant that he ended up covered with tooth and hoof marks and they had to be separated. Yesterday, having spent the whole previous night loudly whinnying for her long-lost love, she barged her way through the electric fence (which made The Tall One very cross) and hasn’t left his side since. At one point, Bijou, in an attempt to free himself from her neediness, jumped out of the field. This sent her positively hysterical and she bucked and called after him until he’d been rounded up and returned to her side. Still, at least with all her silliness I added a new word to my already fairly extensive vocabulary: Fickle.
Which brings me to Java. Having once been absolutely terrified of horses (or the ‘gigantic dogs’ as she calls them, bless her) she now chases Bijou around the field until she manages to grab his tail between her teeth. Then she doesn’t let go until he’s galloping faster than she can run, which, although it pains me to say it, is pretty fast. It exhausts me just watching them. So what is it with the girls and Bijou? He must have hidden powers of seduction, although I fail to see how he can be more charming than me…
I assume that this carrot cake must be for the horses; they’re the only ones silly enough to eat a cake made with carrots and apples. I’m not a fan obviously, but according to everyone else it is very tasty.
Ingredients (serves 16)
250ml olive oil
175g cane sugar
4 eggs
250g carrots, grated
100g apple, grated
100g ground almonds
150g spelt flour (or wheat flour)
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
1 level teaspoon garam masala (or allspice)
1 level teaspoon ground ginger
75g raisins pre-soaked in rum
100g walnuts, chopped
Grease and prepare a medium-size cake tin and preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the oil and sugar in a mixing bowl and beat well. Add the eggs and continue to beat until the mixture becomes pale in colour. Add the grated apple and carrots to the mix and then fold in the almonds, flour, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, seasoning and spices. Lastly stir in the raisins and walnuts and transfer to the cake tin. Bake for 50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
9 Comments
ourfrenchoasis
Laughed out loud at this. Oh the chasing, our puppy has taken to chasing chickens, I sound like a fishwife shouting at her constantly – lord knows what the neighbours think!!! Hope you are recovered now, riding again yet???
The Healthy Epicurean
Java used to chase the hens too – in fact she killed one. It took quite a lot of patience to explain that she shouldn’t. I’m not riding again yet, and can’t imagine I will be any time soon…
ourfrenchoasis
Oh you poor thing, if only we were closer, would come down and exercise your horse for you, although I don’t want to end up in a ditch!!! Enjoy the rest of the weekend x
The Healthy Epicurean
Thank you – that’s very kind, although I think Java’s seeing to his exercise 😉
apuginthekitchen
The animal antics are hilarious, Hugo as usual your ability to assess situations and people/horses/Java is nothing short of amazing. You are keenly observant. The cake is really wonderful, I bet if you gave it a try you might like it.
The Healthy Epicurean
Hello Mrs Pug! As usual you’re too kind about my observations, which are admittedly quite astute. Although everyone does rave about his cake, I’m absolutely not tempted to try it – I wouldn’t want to try anything that the horses eat because they’re such silly animals really. I do hope that you are well and have a good weekend. Love from Hugo.
Lynz Real Cooking
This does sound spicy and delicious, love the ginger!
The Healthy Epicurean
Freshly grated ginger works even better…
Lynz Real Cooking
I am sure, I love ginger!