Autumn Apple Cake

Although I didn't grow up eating apple cake, I've made one in the fall for many years. It most likely was inspired by the plethora of delicious apples grown in Maine. I've never had a special recipe-just used what I found in the paper or online. That is, until this year.

There have been a few mistakes through the years with my apple cakes. A few years ago I hosted an American Guild of Organists potluck and my cake got stuck in the bundt pan. There was no covering up the disaster and we just had to make do. This group of folks had no idea that I (mostly) know what I am doing in the kitchen, so I was rather horrified!

Lat fall the Washington Post had a recipe that was billed as "THE apple cake you will make from now on." It was complicated-soaking nuts and dried fruits, making some sort of syrup-but I took on the challenge. I took it to another potluck and fortunately it easily came out of the pan. And it was delicious-moist and flavorful.  But worth all that effort?  Not really. It was meant to be served as is, simply, with no adornments. So I was not happy when the hostess brought out canned whipping cream and bottled caramel sauce to slather on top!

This year I have found THE recipe, courtesy of my friend Karen, who visited recently. Simple and mixed by hand, it covers all the bases and is MEANT to be served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I made it for guests last night and they scarfed it down.

Here's Karen, working her magic on fresh green beans from the farmers' market. And here's the recipe, which she found in a Neiman Marcus "friends" cookbook and originally came from a farm in New York State. I hope you'll give it a try- it's perfect if someone at your Thanksgiving table doesn't like pie.

Apple Cake

1. Cream together 1/4 cup Crisco (yes, really), 3/4 to 1 cup sugar, and 1 egg. 

2. Stir together 1 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt.  Add to creamed mixture.

3. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans and 3 cups peeled and chopped apples.

4. Cook at 350 for 40-45 minutes.

It takes a bit of elbow grease, but you really can mix this all by hand-it's rather fun to do that. Enjoy!

 

Blessing In a Storm

 

    Last night we had a storm, and I mean a STORM. We could see it coming-great dark clouds rolling across the dining room window with increasing thunder making a molto crescendo.  Then the lightning, such as I've never experienced before. Jagged rods of light dancing across an unsettled sky and accompanied by incessant, timpani-like booms.  Sideways rain pelted the windows and the thirsty earth slurped greedily.

    Dear Prudy huddled in my lap, shaking and panting, and independent Moxie was even glad to come in the house. The lights flickered once, twice, and then they were gone. 8:30 pm and complete darkness.  I was annoyed-me, in my safe, sturdy house was unable to go ahead with the evening's plans of reading and knitting. That annoyance should have turned to prayers for those not so lucky, don't you think?

    So, an early to bed. Prudy and I chose the downstairs guest room-cooler, I thought, while Bill braved the upstairs. Within a few minutes the house became stuffy and hot and I was sweating while simply lying on top of the covers. And here comes the blessing...I opened two windows, put my pillow on the floor underneath them, and felt a breeze. AND I was able to hear the tree frogs, owls and crickets, normally shut out by closed windows, air conditioning and fans. I basked in their happy, contented sounds and perhaps even learned a lesson from them.

    My story is a drop in the bucket compared to the numerous climate tragedies the world is experiencing this summer.  Are you scared? I am. Worry gnaws at me and my baby efforts seem to amount to nothing.

I fear for my grandchildren and all those of future generations. How about you?