Nana pulled out the 60 year old Polish cook book on the weekend (unlike the chocolates, this surprisingly did not smell of mothballs) and taught me how to make her renowned apple cake in honor of my parents wedding anniversary. My basic Polish language skills (injection, no problem, bitch, one cucumber and weeds) did not help much. Despite my general 'bake from scratch' rule, Nana taught me the benefits of canned apple pieces. She also laughed at me when i presented her with a grater and orange in response to her requesting that i brig around orange rind. Apparently the type she likes is bought in small chunks and swimming in sugar. Thankfully this ingredient was not the make or break of the masterpiece.Neither was the SR flour from the 1800's.
I also learnt a nifty trick for the top bit of the cake. You freeze the dough and then rape it with a cheese grater. Makes for the most perfect crumble-looking top.
The final rule is 'the more sultanas, the better the cake', and may I say, this is a damn fine cake.
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