FRIENDSHIP TEA CAKE

FRIENDSHIP TEA CAKE

Ten days ago I met Herman the German. He is a sourdough cake, who starts life as a sourdough starter, and grows on the kitchen bench for 10 days. He has his own website which can be found at:  http://www.hermanthegermanfriendshipcake.com/

My long term foodie friend Julia, visited me at home with some of her deliciously cooked Herman Friendship cake  and a portion of her Herman sourdough starter. I have stirred, fed and nurtured Herman all week, and on the weekend, Herman multiplied to four, and the cooking began. Two friendship cakes and a loaf of sourdough bread later, Herman is officially a member of the family. The cake is delicious and keeps well in the freezer and also makes a sensational dessert with the addition of cream, ice cream etc.

Herman Sourdough bread:

My sourdough bread exceeded all of my expectations. I followed Cheryl's advice from Herman's website, and started the kneading process after lunch, letting it rise overnight, and then cooked the loaf for breakfast the following morning, using half strong white flour, and half Laucke's Multigrain Soy and Linseed bread making flour. No bread maker involved. The smell of the sourdough bread cooking throughout the house early in the morning was heavenly.

The recipe for the bread can be found at Herman the German's website.

Friendship Tea Cake

Ingredients:

1 Herman sourdough starter

1 cup of sugar (8oz or 225g)

2 cups of S.R. Flour (or 2 cups plain flour and 2 heaped tsp. baking powder)

Half teaspoon salt

2/3 cup  of cooking oil (160ml)

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla essence

1 normal can pie apple (or 2 cooking apples cut into chunks)

1 cup raisins (200g)

2 heaped tsp. cinnamon

2 heaped tsp. baking powder

Optional:

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup melted butter

Method:

Mix everything together in a large bowl,  including the sourdough starter and spoon into a large greased baking dish. Sprinkle with a quarter of a cup of brown sugar and a quarter of a cup of melted butter. (This last step is optional but well worth it.)

Bake for 45 minutes at 170-180 deg. C. Test the middle with a clean knife. I find it cooks beautifully in this time, however you may need to cover in alfoil and bake for a further 20 minutes to ensure it is cooked properly in the middle.

In 9 days time, I will have four Herman sourdough starters, which means more bread baking  and other variations. There are lots of recipes available on his website. If you have always wanted to try a sourdough starter and make your own bread, this really works.

The Herman Sourdough Starter Mix:

150g (5oz) plain flour
225g (8oz) castor sugar
1 packet of active dry yeast
275 ml or 1/2 pint of warm milk
55ml (2 fl oz) of lukewarm water

Method:

1. Dissolve the yeast in warm water for 10 minutes and stir.
2. Add the flour and sugar then mix thoroughly.
3. Slowly stir in the warm milk.
4. Cover the bowl in a clean cloth.
5. Leave in a cool dry place for 24 hours.
6. Now proceed from day one of the 10 day cycle.

From the Herman the German's website: YOU CANNOT PUT ME IN THE FRIDGE OR I WILL DIE.IF I STOP BUBBLING I AM DEAD.

Day 1 - Put me in a large mixing bowl and cover loosely with a tea towel

Day 2 - Stir well

Day 3 - Stir well

Day 4 - Herman is hungry. Add 1 cup each of plain flour, sugar and milk. Stir well.

Day 5 - Stir well

Day 6 - Stir well

Day 7 - Stir well

Day 8 - Stir well

Day 9 - Add the same as Day 4 and stir well. Divide into 4 equal portions and give away to friends with a copy of these instructions. Keep the fourth portion.

What a great idea to be able to give one away to a friend, accompanied by some Friendship tea cake.

Do you think dear Reader, that one of the nicest things in life is when a friend arrives unexpectedly with some home cooked goodies to be shared and enjoyed?

Dame Elizabeth Murdoch Rose, a Hybrid Tea. The flower, a gift from my neighbour.