Let them eat Cake

This is really a yummy apple bread, but in Serbia, Bread isn’t sweet and this IS!

I realized a lot of expats like myself are at a loss when baking abroad, I was! It is always a good bit of trial and error. Even when you use someone’s tried and true recipes, if the ingredients aren’t the same. The end product most certainly will not be either.

I have found that using recipes that I have never tasted before are better for me. I have no expectations. For instance. I could make something that I know and love, only to be disappointed with the outcome of perfectly good tasting cake. But when it doesn’t taste like what I am used to. 😦 I am not happy.

Now, I go to allrecipes.com and find a recipe that uses products I have access to here in Serbia. Or sometimes I use Pinterest. This recipe was on Pinterest, via Eva Bakes blog. She makes it with an extra topping, you can check it all out here. The topping is extra work and lots of extra calories. No thanks! this is yummy enough! I use an extra cup or two of apples. But that is all I have done to modify the recipe.

With out further rambling, here is the recipe that I get loads of compliments on! It makes two 8 inch round cakes.

Apple Bread (Cake)

Preheat your oven to 350 F or 175 C

Lightly grease two 8″ cake pans

~5 or 6 cups Apples I used the ones from our apple grove. I don’t know the name. I peel, core, and chop them. I do this before preheating, greasing pans and such. Or I used some from the freezer. We had a lot of apples!!

~4 eggs no particular size. Whatever the chickens lay, I use!

~1 cup vegetable oil

~2 tsp vanilla

~2 tsp baking soda

~2 tsp salt

~2 tsp cinnamon

~3 cups flour

~2 cups sugar

1 or 2 cups walnuts optional. That would be even more yummy. I must try that next time!! I love a little g

Beat eggs till fluffy, add oil, baking soda, salt, cinnamon,and vanilla.  Beat thoroughly. In increments add the flour and sugar… Stirring adding stirring etc.

Add the apple pieces last and mix thoroughly. Then pour half the batter in one pan, half in the other. and bake for one hour. Probably one at a time, depending on the size of your oven.

Remove it from the oven when it feels firm to touch. It is best to let it cool a few minutes. Don’t wait too long or someone else will eat it all! This screams Autumn! sweet, moist, Nom Nom Nom!!

This is the wonderfully organic and yummy blessing of living here in Serbia!!

Enjoy!!

Dobar dan Y’all!

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Photography Friday~ Fall in Vina

We pulled off to the side of the road when we saw Papa working on the tractor last week as we made our way to the village.

The Muz helped his dad while the munchkin and I explored the field and foraged for walnuts under a big walnut tree.

This beats pulling of to the side of a highway in NYC. The John Young Parkway may be a beautiful in some places, but not nearly as safe. But the Van Wyck expressway… fugetaboutit!. This is better in every way! Just a random thought that came to me as I compare pulling of to the side of the road here and back home. 🙂

This picture is from about a month ago, and it looks like something you would find in a history book. Time stands still in so many ways in Serbia.

Sometimes I can’t believe my eyes. And I think this is why at times my life seems surreal. Like I don’t live in the “real” world. I feel out of touch with modernity and what is going on in the outside or western world.

Such a contrast to other places I have lived. In New York, I felt like I was always up to date and enjoyed the fast pace.

In Maryland, I loved the relaxed beach life. And in California, I experienced a culture shock living on the left coast. Every place has its benefits, downfalls and beauty. You just have to find the joy in where you are.

I find joy in the beauty of the wilderness in Serbia, the wonderful people, and the antiquities now featured in story books back home.

I get some really cool surprises sometimes. Like this!

I found a small long ago disguarded antler laying in the forest while we gathered wood for the winter. Then while taking a break from the work sitting in the shade I found a little feather. This is the kind of stuff that makes my day. Simple pleasures.

Oh and these stickers never cease to give me a bit of mental mirth!

I hope you find pleasure in the simple little things too.

Dobar dan Y’all!