Sunday 7 August 2016

My friend, Niqi, and two lemon cakes

I have a very talented friend called Niqi. Only one her most recent accomplishments, meaning those accomplished in the last week, can be seen here. This is a shot from a week or so ago of Niqi working on said shawl. She is surrounded by some of my most recent works in on-going and interminable progress. In the time it has taken her to finish the shawl- completed yesterday just as I arrived for a well needed cuppa, I have made zero, none, absolutely nothing in the way of progress on any of them.

In the time that it has taken her to complete her shawl I have admittedly been away on my parents' annual holiday week. Six of us to be fed, managed and entertained. It was a harder week this week than the last two years. I have decided that the deciding factor is the fact that I am older!

When I arrived chez elle hier for a much needed cuppa, Niqi had bone china cuppas, a pot of Lady Grey, and a plate of Niqi's Non-Grandmother-In-Law's Crunchy Lemon Drizzle Cake. She got the recipe from the grandmother of an ex-boyfriend. This lady liked her so much, and Niqi liked her Crunchy Lemon Drizzle so much, that the lovely lady bestowed upon Niq the recipe. I don't know what happened to the ex-boyfriend. Maybe Niqi will tell us in a comment...

Anyway, Niqi told me the recipe yesterday because, when Niqi makes it, this is the best lemon drizzle cake that you will eat. And because she likes me. So I have this evening attempted Niqi's Non-Grandmother-In-Law's Crunchy Lemon Drizzle Cake. It is not going to be the best lemon drizzle cake you will eat. I think, in fact, that I can guarantee that you will not be eating it, and the non-eating will have nothing at all to do with geography.

Niqi says she doesn't time or skewer a cake. She listens. Now that should have been my warning sign. Only the truly accomplished can listen to a cake. In much the same way as only the truly accomplished whisper to a horse. (Niqi did do dog-whispering when training Blanco.) I cannot listen to a cake. When the cake stops making noises, Niqi says, it is cooked. I couldn't hear my cake over the fan oven, but when I took it out to have a listen the centre caved. So I baked it some more.

It is making noises now- it is hugely noisy now that all the lemon drizzle has gone on and through. And I can smell it now too. For me that is the sign that something is cooked. You can smell it. Excuse me then, as I must cut this rivetting post short and race back to the kitchen. Perhaps I shall brew some Lady Grey...

6 comments:

Pam said...

Have you got your F yet, because if not, Fannie Flagg! She's great! Very very easy to read and a bit whimsical but lovely. Like a warm bath, but somehow not piffle. I've enjoyed everything of hers I've read, eg Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Café, Welcome to the World, Baby Girl...

Angela said...

Oh please share the recipe with the rest of us!

M.K. said...

Yes, yes -- what Angela said!!! As long as Niqi doesn't mind your sharing it. Because the title of the cake is so enticing. I adore lemon -- real, zingy lemon flavor. But most lemon things aren't crunchy, so that's a huge plus. And then that word "drizzle." Yummmm. I can see the icing coming down the sides. A TRUE lemon cake is such a thrill to eat, while one that looks lemon but turns out to be blah vanilla-something is such a disappointment.
As for cake-listening, she must have some serious skills. She should go on the Great Irish Bake-Off!! I'd love to see her show those skills to Mary Berry!!

Pom Pom said...

Lemon cake, please! Love you, Mags!

Kezzie said...

Your sagging cake reminds me of the Black Forest Gateau disaster of June that CBC and I had. I'm sure it tasted wonderful after further making.My fan oven is noisy too!!! I am unbelievably appalling at baking so I don't do it!
Your friend sounds wonderful!
I wonder if I was near you in Ireland at all- I went to Belfast, County Antrim, Dublin and Cobh!!!
x
Sorry I got back your lovely comment so late.I've been away!!!x

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Lady Gray is my comfort tea...with cream and sugar. It may not cure the ills but it does make them easier to handle. The cake sounds delish and love how Niqi bakes...a woman who knows her kitchen...a rare treat.

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